Project Officer (Communication & Advocacy)
JOB DETAIL
OVERVIEW
Post Number : 1CAUIS0087PA
Grade : P-3
Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Duty Station: Montreal
Job Family: Communication and Information
Type of contract : Project Appointment
Duration of contract : 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 06-DEC-2023
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Duration of contract: initially 1 years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) produces data to fuel the policies and investments needed to transform lives and propel the world towards its development goals. Providing statistical and technical inputs for global, regional and funding mechanisms for education, the UIS enables the work of the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), G7, G20, etc. The UIS meets data needs for emerging priorities, for example, most recently, tracking and monitoring impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education worldwide. The UIS maintains the most comprehensive education statistics database in the world – the official source of data of the UN system, used for various purposes, including for the SDG monitoring.
Established in 1999, the UIS serves as UNESCO’s statistical agency. The UIS is focused on delivering cross-nationally comparable data for global, regional and development agendas, covering the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information. The UIS assures the technical support for Member States to produce transformative data based on the 3 pillars (Standards and methodologies; Data production; Brokerage and outreach). The UIS vision, described in its 2022-2029 Medium Term strategy, is to serve the needs of Member States, ensuring that their policies and decision-making are informed by sound statistical information, that they can benchmark progress towards national and international goals, and learn from the experience of others.
The Communication Officer, under the authority of the Director of UNESCO Institute for Statistics, is responsible for implementing communication strategies to enhance the Institute’s visibility. This involves creating a corporate branding strategy, promoting the use of UIS data with innovative content and online services, establishing outreach channels for key stakeholders, and facilitating fundraising efforts. The broader plan seeks to strengthen UIS as the preferred source for statistical data by defining key stakeholder messages, developing branding guidelines, aligning teams with stakeholder priorities, using customer satisfaction surveys to improve outreach, and creating ‘advocacy’ materials for social media dissemination. Additionally, the plan includes the development of new products and online services, expanded communications with governments, donors, and partners, effective messaging channel identification, enhanced stakeholder engagement through social media, improved relationships with partners, and exploring opportunities to integrate UIS data into larger initiatives, particularly those linked to the SDGs.
Long Description
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
- Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of communication strategies focused on priority issues to establish UIS as the trusted source of statistical data and promote the use of UIS data.
- Coordinate diverse projects within the team related to public-facing materials in collaboration with United Nations System organizations, donors, NGOs, and agencies as needed. Provide programmatic and substantive reviews of materials prepared by UIS teams for presentation to internal and external bodies, ensuring high-quality standards and clarity.
- Draft and edit media materials, such as press releases, articles, Op-Eds, Q&As, key messages, and other major corporate communications materials for both internal and external audiences.
- Supervise the production of all team materials in multiple languages.
- Manage international, regional, and national launches of UIS reports, including setting strategic direction, conceptualizing high-profile launch events, and overseeing the work of consultants organizing these events.
- Prepare reports and proposals related to UIS report advocacy and outreach.
- Manage and supervise staff and consultants in the Communication and Advocacy Section.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communication, public administration or closely related discipline(s). A first level university degree in the aforementioned fields, in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in communication, advocacy, print, broadcast, and/or new media, especially demonstrating creative and ambitious brand building, and powerful and engaging story telling for internal and external audiences especially using social and other web media.
- Experience in designing interactive data visualization products and other products designed to engage users in statistical storytelling.
- Experience with the production and distribution of multilingual publications and management of websites.
- Experience in social media outreach.
- A strong track record of crafting clear, inspiring, and persuasive stories about complex concepts.
Skills and competencies
- Excellent analytical skills, in particular the ability to collect, synthesize and analyse information from various sources and convey messages.
- Ability to develop communication strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques.
- Visual design skills and excellent attention to detail, to make visually appealing communication materials including websites, social media, newsletters, and other platforms.
- Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies.
- Strong understanding of production, graphic design and photography standards.
- Strong oral and written communication and editing skills.
- Strong diplomatic, networking and advocacy skills.
- Ability to provide advice and be strategic.
- Knowledge of media strategy development.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
- Experience in the production of content on statistical issues related to UNESCO’s fields.
- Experience in the production of content in the field of education.
- Experience in development contexts.
- Experience at the international level within public and private sector, expertise in international development and humanitarian response, and/or the innovation ecosystem strong assets.
- Experience in statistical publishing with a specific focus on the production and promotion of data visualization products, analytical and technical reports, and other data products related to UNESCO’s fields of competence.
Skills and Competencies
- Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations.
- Good understanding of world affairs; current events and development issues.
Languages
- Excellent knowledge of French.
- Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 82,955 US $.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
