Consultant for Strategic Communications and Digital Engagement

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Financing for sustainable-development-office" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The FSDO is dedicated to advancing policy and action on financing for sustainable development, supporting Member States and stakeholders in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. The office provides thought leadership, promotes multistakeholder dialogue, identifies policy options and best practices, and offers advice and support for capacity development in key areas. The FSDO is involved in various projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of local and national governments in multiple countries, focusing on sustainable infrastructure and development goals. More information can be found at their official website: https://financing.desa.un.org/.

Job Overview:
The consultant will manage strategic communications, content creation, and digital engagement for the Infrastructure Asset Management project during its first year of implementation. This project is being executed in six beneficiary countries: Kenya, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, and Fiji. The consultant's role is crucial in amplifying the project's visibility, strengthening its public presence, and effectively communicating its results across UN DESA's channels. The position requires the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with UN DESA's communication goals and the visibility requirements of the Peace and Development Fund. The consultant will also be responsible for producing engaging content that highlights project results and innovations, ensuring that all communications are coherent with UN branding and visual identity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Senior Economic Affairs Officer. These include:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and outreach plan for the project.
• Identifying opportunities for high-impact storytelling and public engagement through various UN DESA channels.
• Maintaining an editorial calendar aligned with project milestones and events.
• Producing engaging written and visual content, including feature stories, blog posts, infographics, and videos.
• Designing communication materials for events and reports.
• Drafting and editing articles for UN DESA's platforms.
• Curating and managing the IAM project webpage and related subpages.
• Coordinating social media posting and audience engagement.
• Introducing tools to track engagement metrics. 1
• Preparing communication briefs and summaries for senior management. 1
• Supporting the development of knowledge-sharing materials to document lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, graphic design, public information, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, multimedia content production, or public information within the UN or international development context is required. The candidate must have experience managing multi-platform digital communications and storytelling campaigns. Knowledge of visual design, photography, or video editing tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva is also required. Excellent writing and editorial skills are essential, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible narratives. Familiarity with UN Editorial Guidelines is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as communications, journalism, graphic design, public information, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of strategic communications and content creation in an international context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, multimedia content production, or public information, particularly within the UN or international development sectors. This experience should include managing multi-platform digital communications and storytelling campaigns, which are essential for effectively promoting the project's objectives and achievements.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position. Additionally, having a working knowledge of another UN language is considered an advantage, as it can enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and audiences.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.