Senior Communication and Advocacy Expert - Retainer

The Senior Communications and Advocacy Expert/Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Communication Strategy implementation/campaigns

• Leads on, implements and reports on the relevant Communications Campaigns contained in the Communication and Marketing Strategy including development and updating of key messages, materials and action plans in line with the development of the Index and the award with clearly defined targets and audiences

• Produces a range of material to raise public awareness about the Initiative and encourage cities to participate including a brochure, videos, power points, infographics, summaries of briefs and key documents

• Oversees development of branding and physical and online visibility items with correct use of branding logo 

• Makes recommendations and implements improvements and expansions of online platforms

• Keeps the website/web pages, social media and other online platforms including LinkedIn, Youtube and Flickr populated with useful, timely, relevant material including stories, photos, relevant documents, videos and blogs and monitor progress using metrics.

• Organises meetings with communication focal points at UN-Habitat, in participating cities and in partner organisations such as UCLG for joint products and wider dissemination  of material

• Takes the lead in organising media outreach, including arranging media contacts, press releases, on and off the record press briefings and interviews, drafting opinion pieces for management and provides talking points for leadership for media interaction

• Anticipates crises and problems, develops and implements mitigation action plans and resolves communications/ public relations issues/problems.

Communications for partners/stakeholders

• Produces, edits, designs and updates overall key communication material including  newsletters, briefs and  key messages for partners and other stakeholders (such as national and local governments, UN bodies, NGOs, private sector, civil society) to ensure support, adoption or endorsement of the Index and quality of life concept and particularly to bring pilot cities and other cities onboard

• Works with and leverages the communications of QoL Project supporters such as the Friends of the Index and communications experts in participating cities and countries to increase overall outreach and encourage wider support for the index.

• Works with high level individual supporters of the Index, including designated Champions (former Nobel Laureates), to develop and place opinion pieces, organise interviews and media coverage to raise visibility and reputation

Events

• Advises, drives outreach and communications before, during and after Quality of Life Initiative-organised-events including Roundtables and EGMs, with the production of online and physical material, organisation of press briefings etc as required to ensure maximum visibility

• Ensures excellent visibility of the Quality of Life Initiative and Index during high level, international and regional events and conferences including in 2024 the World Urban Forum and Summit of the Future through early liaison and planning and production of quality, timely communication material at all stages.

Other responsibilities

• Serves as a spokesperson on the Quality of Life Index Project if required

• Provides strategic advice and expertise to the Quality of Life Initiative senior officers and Quality of Life Program Center leadership on advocacy, media and outreach issues, methods, and approaches and drafts talking points for the project senior managers.

• Undertakes at least 2 missions with the core team to Saudi Arabia during the period

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field;

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in public information, public relations, journalism, international relations, public administration or related areas, especially within humanitarian organisations and contexts is required. 

• A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional  years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Desirable working experience with private sector, public sector or local governments

• Candidates to submit a cover letter explaining how they meet the specified criteria is required.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of one or more official languages will be an advantage.