Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer

About UN 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. UNU’s mission 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, United Nations University (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, 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.

United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)

UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden, Germany, the Institute engages in research, capacity development, postgraduate teaching, advanced training, and knowledge dissemination to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/

Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES and direct supervision of the Head of Nexus Research Programme, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Strategic Planning: Leads the design, development, and implementation of advocacy strategies in collaboration with the Director, Research leaders, and UNU Office of Communications;

• Develops, implements, and continuously updates the Institute’s advocacy strategy in line with the Implementation Plan;
• Conducts liaison and coordination activities with the UNU network, and the P&L Officer to define the UNU-FLORES strategy to support the Institute to attract partners both traditional and non-traditional including governmental, private sector, and public sector; and
• Leads the strategic communications initiatives for UNU-FLORES, ensuring the Institute’s message is communicated locally and globally.

2. Advocacy and Public Affairs: Supports the implantation of scientific advocacy strategies, including keeping abreast of the latest trends and policy/political developments related to the assignment and provides inputs and advice to senior staff

• Prepares and oversees the preparation of briefing papers, discussion points, speeches, statements, op-eds, presentations, and press releases as required on UNU-FLORES activities;
• Plans, leads, and manages public engagement with the UNU-FLORES mission and work including facilitating dialogues with partners to improve public engagement and participatory approaches to increase understanding of the Resource Nexus including building close relationships with the media; and
• Oversees the execution of the Dresden Nexus Conference (DNC) Communications Plan in close cooperation with the Event Coordinator.

***3.* Brand Management:** Plans and facilitates substantive support for publishing and branding management; provides advice on digital communications, expanding engagement, and capacity development

• Plans and facilitates substantive support for publications and branding management and advises on digital communications and expanding public engagement;
• Prepares inputs and reports for the Office of Communications on the use of the UNU branding across UNU-FLORES’s content and products, both offline and online;
• Ensures consistent branding across all UNU-FLORES outputs and materials, approving all communications and advocacy strategies;
• Supports UNU-FLORES staff on their professional social media profile, strategy, and implementation;
• Provides advice and guidance for the production and distribution of online content and marketing materials; and
• Strengthens the UNU-FLORES brand via events, media and public relations opportunities targeted to the diverse partners, in close collaboration with the Event Coordinator.

***4*. Knowledge Sharing:** Promotes knowledge management, builds, and designs communications and advocacy channels to capture lessons learned from outreach activities, and promotes a network of development activities

• Conducts educational outreach activities, including organising public-speaking opportunities at local educational institutions with support from the Event Coordinator and scientific staff;
• Develops expertise and maintains database of the knowledge sources and resources across the UNU System for retrieving data and references, graphics, infographics, and photos; and
• Manages and directs strategic UNU-FLORES initiatives identified and/or being managed by the Event Coordinator including the DNC and UN Day.

5. Manages the Communications and Advocacy Unit

• Leads and directs the Communications and Advocacy team including planning and allocating work assignments; and
• Manages the daily operations of the unit including setting strategic priorities as they relate to communications and event coordination.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and the Director

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Key performance indicators

• Contribution to the positive reputation of UNU-FLORES as a reliable and trustworthy partner among research partners, governments, donors, and civil society;

• Timely and quality development and implementation of the Advocacy and Public Affairs strategy

• Timely and quality delivery on building the UNU-FLORES brand and increasing engagement with the Institute’s work

• Quality and level of engagement with senior scientists to promote their research

• Personnel within the unit meet their objectives and produce quality knowledge products

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD equivalent in mass communication, media, journalism, International Relations, Environmental Science or other relevant social sciences with at least two (2) years of post-PhD, relevant, and progressively responsible experience in advocacy and/or public affairs is required; some of which preferably in an international setting or a master’s degree with at least four (4) years of qualifying experience is required; more than five (5) years of experience would be highly advantageous;
• Experience designing and implementing advocacy strategies is mandatory;
• At least two years of experience managing professional social media presence at a senior level in an international setting is required;
• Experience in environmental policy, sustainable development, and/or climate change is mandatory;
• Familiarity and experience within the UN(U) system would be highly advantageous;
• Experience implementing global social media campaigns is mandatory;
• Experience in drafting complex reports, communications, and presentations is required;
• Knowledge and experience with social media tools, CMS, Office software, excellent knowledge, and experience of handling web-based management systems;
• Experience in advocacy related explicitly to scientific content, protocol, and high-level communications with governments, the scientific community, and donor agencies would be highly advantageous
• Experience with innovative advocacy tools as well as video and audio editing tools would be highly beneficial;
• Graphic design skills and experience would be highly beneficial;
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently;
• Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
• An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Fluency in English is required;
• Fluency in German and/or knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a national PSA contract, and no relocation allowances apply. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive (tax-exempt in Germany) net monthly salary of EUR 2,042.50, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 15 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

This is a part-time (50%) employment for an initial duration of 1 year. This is a 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.

Expected start date: as soon as possible