UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York- based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives — the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and the Global Forest Initiative (New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform) under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature- based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives;
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice;
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action; and
• Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity in order to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Support, National Reporting, and Capacity Building. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is a cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including work through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab, created in partnership with UN Environment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature and the National Biodiversity Initiative. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives.180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through blogs, case studies, and story maps.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This program connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, Learning for Nature seeks synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self- paced e-learning modules, and private training courses.

For further information please go to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, www.unbiodiversitylab.org

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

As a cross-cutting service to the three initiatives referenced above, the Global Programme on Nature for Development requires research support on a continuous basis in order to ground the project’s activities scientifically, to complement program and project development, and to identify synergies with existing initiatives both internal and external to the UN system. The support needed also consists of support in ‘scanning the horizon’ for new initiatives and innovations in the sector, as well as assistance with special projects such as publications, communications, and research support to the Global Programme’s manager in her role advising UNDP senior management.

The Communications Senior Assistant will carry out the following tasks:

Communications support:

• Assist program teams and stakeholders in gathering success stories, lessons learned, and testimonials to showcase the program’s impact in a compelling manner.
• Support the coordination and dissemination of key messages and communication materials across various platforms, ensuring consistency and alignment with the program’s goals.
• Coordinate with interpreters to facilitate the translation and localization of communication materials, ensuring accessibility and cultural relevance for diverse audiences across regions and languages

Project support and coordination:

• Provide logistical and administrative support for special projects related to communication, including the organization of events, workshops, and campaigns.
• Assist in the monitoring of communication activities to measure their effectiveness and impact.

Content development:

• Contribute to drafting and editing content for various communication channels, including website, social media, newsletters, and press releases.
• Assist in the production of publications, reports, and other communication materials that highlight the work and achievements of the Nature for Development programme.

Administrative and logistical support:

• Support administrative tasks related to communication projects including scheduling, budgeting, and coordination with vendors and partners.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of communication activities and ensure timely reporting to relevant stakeholders.
• Support the management of communication tools and resources, including digital assets, databases, and contact lists.

Research and analysis:

• Support the team by gathering information to aid in the development of communication strategies, including identifying trends, best practices, and opportunities in biodiversity communication
• Collect data and feedback from communication activities to inform continuous improvement of the communication strategy.
• Assist the team by compiling observations and suggesting ways to improve the visibility and effectiveness of communication efforts.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Environmental Studies, International Affairs or in a field related to the post description with no relevant experience is desirable; OR
• First-level university degree (undergraduate, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Environmental Studies, International Affairs or in a field related to the post description with one (1) year of relevant, will be considered an asset; OR
• Secondary school diploma (or high school equivalent) with five (5) years of relevant experience is required.

Work experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in a communications role.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (L-ICA 5- ICSC5)

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The contract for this position is set for a duration until 31 December 2025, with termination upon its conclusion. Depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance, any need for services beyond this initial period will be communicated to the incumbent accordingly.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.