Communications Specialist - Level B

The Individual Contractor (Level B) supports the implementation of the IPBES communication strategy by managing media contacts, drafting and editing communication materials, supporting social and online media activities, stakeholder engagement, and day-to-day communications tasks under the supervision of the IPBES Head of Communications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and further develop the IPBES media contacts database.
• Serve as the focal point for all incoming correspondence and queries related to communications and outreach and secondary focal point for stakeholder engagement especially via the IPBES media email account and website contacts.
• Liaise and collaborate with all IPBES 'traditional media' consultants/contractors.
• Monitor, report on and adapt IPBES 'traditional' media performance.
• Draft, proof-read and edit content and work with designers, translation services, printers and others on communication materials/marketing collateral, such as brochures, posters, infographics, videos, presentations, marketing collateral etc.
• Identify, liaise and coordinate with appropriate vendors/service providers in support of procurement of such materials, working with the IPBES administrative team.
• Support the process of planning, coordinating and overseeing the shipping of all necessary outreach materials for IPBES uptake events globally.
• Identify relevant content from online news reports and peer reviewed academic articles that are appropriate for IPBES social media sharing and liaise with the social media team to facilitate this.
• Manage the content of the IPBES website relating to media releases, news items, features and the updating and quality control of all communication and stakeholder engagement related elements.
• Support daily updating and maintenance of the IPBES digital asset management platform.
• Collaborate with administrative colleagues to facilitate commercial translations.
• Support video editing and subtitling for the social media team.
• Identify relevant content from online news reports and peer reviewed academic articles that are appropriate for IPBES stakeholder engagement and liaise with the stakeholder engagement team to facilitate use thereof.
• Regular updating of the IPBES 'Impact Tracking Database' (TRACK).
• Support IPBES stakeholder engagement activities.
• Research, draft, revise and edit communications and outreach messages in the form of articles, speeches, speaking notes, briefing notes etc.
• Photography and videography support.
• Occasional event logistics and management.
• Occasional representation of the IPBES communications unit in internal and external meetings and events.
• Limited administrative back-stopping.

Requirements

• A first-level university degree in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, public relations, marketing or related areas is required.
• A track-record of excellence in crafting written communications in English is required.
• Working experience working with media monitoring tools is required.
• Knowledge and working experience of international biodiversity science-policy issues is required.
• Prior working experience of IPBES and its communications is desirable.
• Relevant work experience in the context of the United Nations is desirable.
• Design, layout and editing experience is desirable.

Skills

• Public Information
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Written Communication
• Media Monitoring
• Biodiversity Science-Policy
• Communication Strategy
• Media Relations
• Communication Materials Drafting
• Editing
• Social Media Management
• Stakeholder Engagement

Languages

English