Communications Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional commission of the United Nations established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. ESCWA was founded in 1973 and has its headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon. The organization aims to foster cooperation among member states and provide a platform for dialogue on regional issues. It operates in multiple countries across the Arab region, focusing on various areas including sustainable development, climate change, and social justice. ESCWA employs a diverse workforce of professionals dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by the region, and it collaborates with various UN agencies, governments, and civil society organizations to implement its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Communications Consultant position is integral to the successful implementation of an Adaptation Fund project aimed at enhancing the resilience of displaced persons and host communities to climate change-related water challenges in Lebanon and Jordan. The consultant will be responsible for managing the communications aspects of the project, which includes drafting press releases and human interest stories in both English and Arabic, setting up and maintaining a digital platform to showcase project results, and creating engaging social media content to disseminate project activities and impacts. The role requires a proactive approach to communication, ensuring that project achievements are effectively communicated to stakeholders and the public. The consultant will work closely with the Communication and Information Unit at ESCWA and the Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability Cluster, contributing to the overall visibility and impact of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: drafting press releases and stories in English and Arabic about project activities; supporting the visual branding of the project; assisting in planning and advertising webinars; uploading knowledge products onto the digital platform; maintaining a digital platform with project baseline and results; communicating with project partners to gather human-interest stories; producing outputs and infographics for dissemination; overseeing video production that showcases project achievements; preparing human-interest stories through various media; disseminating project impacts on social media; supporting administrative arrangements for project-related meetings; and providing communications support to other climate change-related projects at ESCWA. The consultant will be expected to engage with stakeholders and partners to ensure effective communication and visibility of the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in communication, journalism, web development, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, web development, graphic design, videography, or a related area is required. Experience in overseeing video productions is essential, and familiarity with producing materials for interactive knowledge management products is desirable. Candidates should also have a general awareness of water and climate change challenges facing local communities in the Middle East, as well as knowledge of how to communicate environmental issues effectively.

Educational Background:
The position requires a first-level university degree, which is essential for candidates to be considered for the role. This degree should preferably be in communication, journalism, web development, or a related field. It is important for applicants to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as public information, journalism, web development, graphic design, and videography. This experience should include overseeing video productions, which is a critical aspect of the role. Candidates with experience in producing materials for interactive knowledge management products will have an advantage, as this aligns with the project's objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the primary languages used in communications for the project. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in all four areas of language proficiency: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is considered desirable, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, which may enhance communication with a broader audience.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of two 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 is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process, and it does not require any financial information from applicants.