United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About the Office of Communications

Located in Tokyo, the Office of Communications assists the Rector in the communication about UNU’s work, engagement with key stakeholders, and visibility of UNU’s activities in Japan and globally.

The work of the UNU Office of Communications focuses on communicating the outcomes from UNU research in clear, accessible language, in ensuring these messages reach the right audience and in gradually increase the size of the audience. To achieve this, the UNU Office of Communications employs high quality design, produces engaging content and deploys a wide range of communication assets.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Communication, the appointee will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Deliver social media campaigns to increase followership and engagement

• Develop and Implement: Design social media campaigns to publicize priority issues, publications, activities, and/or events in support of UNU’s strategic goals.
• Campaign Design: Oversee content creation, bringing in the OC team for feedback at the appropriate times.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and assess campaign performance to refine engagement strategies.

2. Maintain UNU’s social media accounts

• Manage Social Media Accounts: Maintain and enhance UNU’s social media presence, ensuring consistent and coherent messaging across all platforms.
• Content Posting: Manage the posting of daily content (text, images, video) that supports platform growth and audience engagement.
• Quality Control: Ensure consistent and coherent messaging and quality control across UNU’s social media platforms and conforms to UNU’s visual identity guidelines and brand essence.
• Internal Management: Coordinate internal communication and workflow within the Centre team to ensure regular social media progress updates.
• Partnerships: Suggest social media influencers and partners to boost UNU’s reach.
• Trend Analysis: Stay up to date with the latest trends and platforms; suggest how UNU may respond.

3. Coordinate global UNU social media campaigns

• Global Campaign Brainstorms: Organize brainstorms with institutes on potential social media campaigns.
• Global Campaign Coordination: Coordinate global social media campaigns and activities, working with internal teams and communications focal points across UNU institutes throughout the world.
• Global Campaign Collaboration: Work with copywriters and designers to ensure content is appealing to the appropriate audience.

4. Education, Tools & Reporting

• Media Monitoring and Reporting: Draft and report on agreed upon KPIs for campaigns and social media channels Use media monitoring tools to consistently measure and report on the efficacy of UNU’s social media efforts, and to inform future social media campaigns and posting strategy.
• Scheduling Tools: Use social media scheduling tools like Buffer.
• Best Practices: Model social media best practices for the UNU system. Stay up to date on changes in social media platforms and algorithms and suggest actions.

5. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators

• High-quality and impactful social media content and campaigns
• Increase in engagement and followers on social media channels
• Increase in participation of UNU-wide social media campaigns
• Frequent reporting of UNU social media metrics

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

1) Education and certification

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in communications or related field

2) Required skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field with at least 2 years of professional experience in communications teams working with social media accounts.
• Experience using Canva and other social media content building tools.
• Experience running social media accounts.
• Experience building social media strategies and campaigns.
• Demonstrated growth of managed social media accounts.
• Experience in working with an international setting is considered an asset.
• Professional knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud Suite or video editing tools considered an asset, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, Express.
• Demonstrated ability to professionally interact with and assist colleagues from initial stages of project through project completion.
• Strong experience in project management, incl. excellent time management, forward planning, and prioritization skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and apply editorial guidelines consistently.
• Experience in identifying and managing external vendors in the areas of design, photo and video considered a strong asset.

3) Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under PSA contract. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary in the range of JPY 5,665,000 – JPY 6,457,000 commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Duration of contract

The duration of the initial contract is 1 year. This is Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance. The combined duration on a PSA contract with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for PSA holders is 65 years.

Starting date

31 March 2025

How to Apply

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline

3 January 2025

Submissions must be received by midnight JST time on the deadline; late entries will not be accepted.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.

Special Notice

PSA holders are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946). They are subject to the Rector’s authority and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam Warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.