The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.
The mission of UNU-FLORES is to contribute, through research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, to the resolution of pressing challenges in the area of sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources (water, soil and waste), particularly in developing and transitional countries. It aims to serve within the UN as the think-tank on resources management and be internationally recognized as major hub and intellectual focal point promoting integrated management strategies addressing in particular the needs of developing and emerging countries. The Institute is located in Dresden, Federal Republic of Germany. For more information please visit http://flores.unu.edu.
The Communications and Advocacy (C&A) Unit is one of UNU-FLORES Supporting Operational Units. In this role, the C&A Unit has the following responsibilities: Planning and designing the internal and external strategies for communication and advocacy; Overseeing the development and distribution of all UNU-FLORES publications and promotional materials; and Managing UNU-FLORES digital presences (website, social media, etc.).
Responsibilities:
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-FLORES, and the supervision of the Communications and Advocacy Associate the successful candidates will carry out the following tasks:
Copy-Editing & Proofreading and communications materials production
• Assist in copyediting & proofreading external communications materials (formal documents, letters, promotional materials, etc.);
• Copyedit in house publications such as the lecture series, working papers and conference proceedings;
• Provide project-based copyediting services for the Academic Units for (research) project proposals and academic manuscripts.
• Assist in Identifying, collecting, and editing content for the UNU-FLORES newsletter;
• Ensure all newsletters are disseminated through proper channels and are posted on the website/intranet as appropriate and providing feedback;
• Assist in producing various kinds of communications products;
Web Content Assistance
• Support the drafting and editing of communication materials for website features and the newsletter in consultation with the CommA Associate;
• Manage a content forward plan for the website and social media;
• Regularly update the website using the institute’s Content Management System (CMS);
• Support the revamping of the Institutional website to improve clarity, usability and functionality;
• Manage the migration of content from old website to the revamped website;
• Work in close collaboration with the in-house ICT Associate and the Communications and Advocacy Assistant - Graphic Design to implement the new site architecture and design;
• Ensure that social media channels are integrated into the revamped website;
• Assist in developing publication guidelines and templates for managing and updating the revamped website;
• Increase the website traffic through enhanced usability and fresh content update.
Social Media
• Assist in developing and implementing social media strategies and campaigns to increase the Institute’s followers on the social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter etc.;
• Create content for the UNU-FLORES social media accounts and respond to social media conversations in a pro-active and transparent manner;
• Proactively liaise with academic staff to generate new content and develop engaging social media posts;
• Monitor and evaluate the UNU-FLORES social media engagement and visibility using appropriate analytic tools and report progress and challenges;
• Liaise with the Communication and Advocacy Assistant – Graphic Design to develop infographics and branding/backgrounds for digital posts;
• Monitor newest trends and developments in the social media realm, ensuring that UNU-FLORES social media presence and content are up-to-date and relevant.
Library Support
• Assist in cataloging library materials and in the internal material loan system;
• Archiving UNU-FLORES Material;
• Identifying procurement needs of appropriate materials.
Communications Administrative Support
• Assist in developing and maintaining a UNU-FLORES contact and distribution database with various lists (i.e., research community, local press, international press, UN System Partners, etc.);
• Assist in communications logistical support when required;
• Assist in dissemination of materials;
• Assist with day-to-day general editing and communications tasks assigned by the supervisor.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, international Relations, Political Science, English, Social Science or other related field.
- Secondary education with extra years of working experience in the fields of communications, public relations or journalism will be considered in lieu of a first level university degree.
- Minimum one (1) year of progressively relevant professional work experience; of which preferably at the international level;
- Special copy editing or proofreading trainings would be an asset;
- Advanced level of oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages or German would be an asset;
- Experience in drafting and editing texts for both academic and general audience highly desirable;
- Knowledge of relevant digital tools and applications, including familiarity with social media platforms and the CMS;
- Proven track record creating successful web and social media content, esp. for Twitter and Facebook;
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word & Excel) is essential;
- Experience with tracking social media metrics and website analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics) highly desirable;
- Good proficiency of databases, and other communications related applications would be advantageous;
- Good team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Remuneration:
Remuneration will commensurate with qualification and experience of the successful candidate.
Duration of Contract:
This is a full time employment (40 hours per week) for a fixed period until December 31st, 2016 (renewal will be subject to performance and availability of funds) on a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) with UNU-FLORES, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.
The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract based in Dresden, Germany and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. Starting Date: As soon as possible
HOW TO APPLY:
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should submit their applications by email (to hrflores@unu.edu), and must include the following:
- a cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
- a curriculum vitae and a completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) form downloadable from the UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations;
- the email subject must comply with the format: Last Name_First Name_RA_2016/UNU/FLORES/PSA/EA/7.The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8)
