Communications Consultant - Global Peatlands Initiative

Result of Service

Communication Consultant will design and develop targeted and scientifically sound peatlands materials for awareness raising and support resource mobilization for the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative
advocate for the global environment". Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the
attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI), led by UNEP, seeks to capture, and establish new approaches for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands â linking science to practice and policy making. The four peat-rich tropical countries of Indonesia, Peru, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the pilot countries of the Global Peatlands Initiative. Due to the
enormous amounts of carbon, they hold and the catastrophic consequences their drainage and degradation has generated in the past, a commitment by over 50 partners and tropical peatland countries to work together to halt the further destruction of peatlands is gaining international attention. Partners are sharing their knowledge and experience to promote healthy peatlands through their restoration and conservation as one of the fasted ways to tackle the climate crisis.

Partners are working together within their respective areas of expertise to assess, measure and take actions to preserve peat carbon and biodiversity. Drawing on the expertise of the Initiative's partners and peatland practitioners, and through a structured South-South cooperation approach, the project helps countries contribute to major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (namely the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Convention on Migratory Species, and the Ramsar Convention). Specifically, the work of the Initiative aims to help the pilot countries achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions while advancing progress toward the SDGs. By collecting, advocating for, and supporting conservation practice and restoration efforts in the pilot countries, the project also contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, especially Target 5 (reduced habitat loss/degradation), Target 14 (ecosystems that provide essential and valuable services are restored and safeguarded), and Target 15 (contribution of ecosystems to carbon stocks).

The consultant(s) will be located in UN Environment / Ecosystems Division / Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit. The consultant will report to Programme Management Officer.

The consultant will provide technically sound peatlands-specific communications expertise to the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit for outreach and awareness raising for the Global Peatlands
Initiative. Specific duties include the following:

1.Design a communications strategy and implementation plan for the Global Peatlands Initiative project aiming to reach 20 key peatland countries and garner financial support for GPI Phase II with donors and partners.
2.Design and develop targeted and scientifically sound peatlands materials for awareness raising of Global Peatlands Initiative including: updating and maintaining the GPI and UNEP-peatlands related websites, news pieces, blogs, infographics, scripts and graphics for social media or videos.
3.Liaise with implementing partners and UNEP collaborating teams to develop content, timelines and establish outreach and press releases including working with communication division to clear all press releases and publications for GPI products and events.
4.Amplify communications and outreach efficiency by structuring a system to customize content and engagement through the use of the GPI website, online Dgroup community of practice, Trello dashboards, etc â developing ways to administer activities, associated photos, articles, events and display them in a productive and organized way.
5.Establish a systematic way to engage with relevant networks including through social media to inform and engage with the peatland's community on X(Twitter), LinkedIn, the GPI webpage, and the DGroups and proactively publicize GPI partners' events and achievements regularly.
6.Coordinate with implementing partners and prepare content for videos, newsletters and inputs on peatland work for reporting and for sharing with partners and disseminate.
7.Manage database of, and communicate with, the Global Peatlands Initiative membership including targeted outreach to new and prospective partners as assigned.
8.Contribute to the preparation of various GPI written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, policy notes, presentations, speaking notes, inputs to publications, including translation into French and/or Spanish and their review as required, etc.
9.Collect, research on and organization of Global Peatlands Initiative knowledge products, coordinate the updating and uploading of content to the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion and other knowledge sites as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills

First University degree preferably with a specialization in environmental sciences, conservation biology, communications, international studies or related areas is required.
Minimum of four years experience (at least 6 months) in the field of environmental conservation, scientific research or science to policy work is required.
Experience working on peatlands and/or ecosystems as a topic in the context of developing countries is required.
Excellent communication skills with experience drafting policy papers, resource materials, presentations, briefing notes, speaking notes and news articles is required.
Knowledge of website management and experience developing website content is required.
Experience with the UN system especially with UNEP and on this issue is highly desirable.
Skills and experience in networking, outreach, and engaging with multiple parties is desirable.

Languages

English and French are working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent writing skills in English is required. Fluency in written and spoken French with excellent writing skills in French is required.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four area.