Consultant for Communications and Digital Platforms

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Communications and Results Reporting Section (CRRS) of the United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) Headquarters in New York. The DCO was established to enhance the coordination of the United Nations' efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The DCO operates under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing the Resident Coordinator system. The organization is committed to promoting effective communication and engagement strategies that align with the UN's mission and values, ensuring that the work of the UN is visible and impactful across various platforms and audiences.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks aimed at enhancing the visibility and engagement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) through effective communication strategies. This includes proactive photo gathering, managing a comprehensive photo database, boosting social media engagement, and providing technical support for website maintenance. The role requires collaboration with various teams within the DCO to ensure that all communications align with strategic messaging goals and editorial planning. The consultant will also be expected to leverage digital platforms to amplify the UN's priorities and increase audience engagement, particularly in relation to the SDGs and climate action. Skills in the ethical and responsible use of AI for communications are highly desirable, reflecting the UN's commitment to innovation and integrity in its outreach efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks:

• Proactive Photo Gathering: Collect and curate high-quality visual assets from UN country teams and agencies, ensuring compliance with protocols and alignment with campaign priorities. Engage with field colleagues to encourage timely submissions that highlight key campaigns and human-centered storytelling.
• Create and Manage the UNSDG Photo Database: Develop and maintain a central repository for multimedia assets, ensuring easy access and strategic use by the CRRS team. This includes tagging, cataloging, and archiving content while maintaining quality standards.
• Boost Social Media Engagement and Storytelling: Create compelling digital content, including social media posts and photo stories, that align with UNSDG messaging. Monitor engagement trends and refine content strategies based on data-driven insights.
• Technical Support and Website Maintenance: Provide ongoing technical support for the UNSDG and DCO websites, ensuring compliance with accessibility and SEO standards. Assist with content updates and backend tasks, contributing to quality assurance for platform enhancements and monitoring digital engagement trends.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, marketing" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">digital marketing, computer science, graphic design, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in public information, digital content, web development, graphic design, or a related area is required. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects), Canva, or similar tools is essential. Experience in coordinating with developers on multilingual web content and drafting multimedia content for websites and social media is desirable. Familiarity with digital performance tracking tools and managing digital asset repositories is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in communication and digital media, which is critical for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as public information, digital content creation, web development, and graphic design. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree should have at least four years of experience. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively manage the responsibilities of the role and contribute to the UN's communication strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, or Russian, is considered an advantage. This multilingual capability is important for engaging with diverse audiences and stakeholders across the UN system.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, with an expected duration through 31 December 2025, subject to the availability of funds. Applicants must include a link to an online portfolio showcasing samples of their graphic design and multimedia work. Applications submitted without a portfolio link will not be considered. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.