Context

SEforALL is widely acknowledged for its achievement in raising global awareness of the world’s sustainable energy challenges, ensuring they were included in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Now an independent international organization, SEforALL is directed by its CEO as it works toward the achievement of SDG7. The organization also supports the work of the CEO in her additional roles as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and as cochair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary-General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.

About SEforALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to well below 2° Celsius (and striving for 1.5° Celsius).

Achieving these goals will require a radical rethink of the way we produce, distribute and consume energy. SEforALL is at the heart of this foundational shift to ensure no one is left behind. Drawing on data and evidence, we identify a critical path to success in achieving SDG7.

The 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative in 20121. Now an independent organization, we maintain close links with the UN, including through a relationship agreement, partnerships with UN agencies and with SEforALL’s CEO acting as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of UN-Energy. These roles include advising the UN Secretary General and his staff on issues relating to sustainable energy and the implementation of SDG7 and supporting the coordination of sustainable energy issues in the United Nations system.

The ambitions of SDG7 are extraordinary. Aiming to achieve them in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change involves transformation at a scale never undertaken before. Swift action must be taken by leaders in governments, private sector companies, institutions, financiers, development banks, unions, communities, entrepreneurs and civil society. As we enter the final decade to achieve SDG7, SEforALL has strategically chosen to strengthen global agenda-setting while expanding its activities to an engagement model that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries and implementation on the ground. SEforALL’s current three-year business plan outlines “results offers” that scope out our planned interventions and demonstrate to our funding partners the impact of their support.

Objective of Assignment

The main objectives of the role is for communications support to the Energy Efficiency and Cooling team on opportunities including but not limited to:

#ThisIsCool:

• To develop engaging communications collaterals suitable for multiple social media platforms which raise awareness of sustainable cooling solutions in target markets
• To support expansion of #ThisIsCool communication campaign to include connectivity between posts and improved collective ecosystem storytelling

Cooling Challenges and Events:

• To support communications and outreach activities for a nature-based urban cooling challenge, including the potential for an engaging “playbook” that will guide and inspire action by communities on using nature to reverse the damage from urban development, including to reduce or eliminate urban heat islands.
• To develop communications collaterals, short posts, and social media strategy for key cooling events in 2023, including the launch of Chilling Prospects 2023, training events, and COP 28

Mission Efficiency:

• To support SEforALL’s participation and leadership of the energy efficiency narrative taskforce.
• To develop communications collaterals, short post, and social media strategy which elevates awareness of energy efficiency solutions and the brand of Mission Efficiency

Duties and Accountabilities

The primary duties and tasks of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Drive execution for the #ThisIsCool communication campaign and support the implementation of expanded communications approach with graphics, message and story development.
• Provide strategy, graphics, message and story development support to competition style challenges including the #ThisIsCool Youth Challenges and the “Beat the Heat: Nature for Cool Cities Challenge”
• Provide support to drive collective impact between partners of the Cool Coalition and raise the visibility of cooling at COP 28.
• Provide strategy, graphics, message and story development for key cooling events and milestones in 2023.
• Provide creative, graphic and strategy support to the narrative taskforce with Mission Efficiency partners.
• Support awareness raising for energy efficiency and cooling through the development of visual aids, graphics, stories and the implementation of communication campaigns, including #ThisIsCool and #MissionEfficiency.

Specific Competencies for the Role

The desired skills and attributes for candidates include, but are not limited to:

• Strong graphics and digital communications experience with an understanding on how to communicate sustainable energy topics to a broad audience.
• Experience in designing and implementing campaigns.
• Ability to multitask, attention to detail and a disposition towards diplomatic and action-oriented interactions.
• Experience supporting governments or development agencies.
• Experience in demanding, pressurized, international environments is an asset.
• French language skills are considered an advantage

General Competencies for the Role

• Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments. Adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently and is able to work to deadlines and maintain effectiveness under pressure. Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines. Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time. Proactive approach to managing workflow, with keen ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of issues, some of which come up in ad hoc and unexpected ways.
• Writing and Research Skills: Excellent written, synthesis and research skills, including drafting ability and extensive knowledge of word processing and application of software package as databases and Power Point Presentations;
• Communication: Excellent communication skills in speaking and writing; ability to develop contacts, foster collaboration with internal as well as external stakeholders, deliver presentations, advocate for viewpoints and participate actively in internal as well as external debates and negotiations. Ability to craft messages and communiques, and copy edit work to produce flawless written communications is required.
• Analysis and Innovation: Demonstrated excellent numerical and analytical skills that can be applied to gather data and generate knowledge relevant to decision-making functions. Capability and easiness to work with numbers, calculate, and analyze data as well as the ability to summarize and present key-findings. Inspires and influences others to drive innovation. Inspires others to develop new solutions that have a development impact and advocates for changes and application of new methods to enhance results.
• Technological Awareness: Excellent e-skills, including the ability to use modem office technology and related software. Practical knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is required. Ability to do internet research, compile information and find solutions on line to information gaps is essential.
• Teamwork: Works within the team as well as with colleagues across work units. Supports colleagues, establishes a team culture, encourages others to participate in teamwork and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Demonstrated ability to work with teams representing a wide variety of staffing levels that also cut across agencies and partners, and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high quality products. Strong team player capabilities.

Our Values – please refer to our core values as defined here: https://www.seforall.org/who-we-are/staff/our-values.

Salary information: The successful candidate will be offered an all-in daily rate determined depending on qualifications and experience, and applying the principle of internal equity.

Additional Considerations

• SEforALL offers exciting high-impact assignments, a collegial and creative work environment, and the opportunity for committed professionals to thrive and grow within flat hierarchies and in the pursuit of an inspiring mission.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Only short-listed candidates for interviews will be notified.

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• SEforALL reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

Your data will not be passed on to third parties outside SEforALL. We will only use your data to the extent necessary for the purposes of selecting personnel in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations.

We will only disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by a court´s or administrative authority´s decision. In such a case, we will inform you as soon as possible of such an order so that you can take legal action against it if necessary. Please email to [email protected] if you require updates to your information in accordance with Art. 5 lit. d of the GDPR