Senior Global Media Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP was established in April 2012 and has a significant role in addressing global environmental challenges. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is a key component of UNEP, with a membership of 150 Governments, and aims to strengthen the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Job Overview:
The Senior Global Media Consultant will play a crucial role in enhancing the communications efforts of both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the IPBES. This position involves developing and implementing traditional media strategies to increase global audience engagement and ensure effective communication of key messages related to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Heads of Communications for both CBD and IPBES, focusing on media outreach, content creation, and performance analysis. The role requires a strategic approach to media relations, ensuring that the messaging around significant events such as CBD meetings and IPBES Plenary sessions reaches a wide audience. The consultant will also be responsible for managing logistics for in-person media events and coordinating remote media management efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strengthen traditional media strategies for CBD and IPBES, including setting ambitious goals for media engagement and improving operational implementation of media strategies.
• Conceptualize and coordinate the production of strategic content for traditional media, leveraging existing relationships with journalists and editors to maximize media coverage.
• Monitor and analyze traditional media performance, providing comprehensive reports on media coverage and developing recommendations for improvement.
• Manage logistics for in-person media events and provide remote media management support, including drafting media content, organizing briefings, and securing interviews with key figures.
• Develop long-term media relationships and enhance the traditional media capacity of the IPBES secretariat staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, media, language, environmental studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 15 years of professional experience in global traditional media relations, with a minimum of 10 years in creating media strategies and managing outreach for UN bodies or similar organizations. Experience in communicating complex scientific matters related to environmental issues is also required. A verifiable global media contact database with at least 4,000 active email addresses for relevant journalists is essential, along with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in communication, journalism, media, language, environmental studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with qualifying experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 15 years of professional experience in global traditional media relations, with a focus on creating media strategies and managing outreach for UN bodies or similar intergovernmental organizations. A minimum of 10 years of direct experience in traditional media outreach related to environmental issues is required.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be advantageous but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7 months, with 5.5 months of work distributed over this period. The position is remote, with the requirement to be present at specific meetings and events. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.