Chief of Communications in Bonn bei United Nations

United Nations

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is an international agreement on good land stewardship. It helps people, communities, and countries to create wealth, grow economies and secure enough food and water and energy, by ensuring land users have an enabling environment for sustainable land management. Through partnerships, the Convention’s 197 Parties set up robust systems to manage land degradation and drought promptly and effectively. Good land stewardship based on a sound policy and science helps integrate and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, builds resilience to climate change and prevents biodiversity loss. Land also plays a key role in the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, securing rural livelihoods and creating green jobs, supporting community resilience and maintaining the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services.

The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies. In addition, the secretariat also provides assistance to Parties in implementing the Convention.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the USG, Executive Secretary, the Chief of the Communications (COMMS) Unit will be responsible for the following:

Lead and coordinate UNCCD’s global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels.
Provide overall strategic direction to the work of the Unit, with appropriate strategic framing for the requirements of the Unit’s clients, underpinned by a sustained innovation strategy that delivers the mandate of the unit at the cutting edge of associated industry practices, techniques, technologies, and approaches.
Plan, monitor, and assess the Unit’s work, including outsourced work, in the context of the Unit’s project commitments to UNCCD’s activities, goals and its strategy.
Manage the Unit’s resources, including its human and financial resources, in accordance with the organization’s policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, for the activities of the Unit.
Provide technical and policy advice on highly complex public relations and communications issues to the senior management.
Supervise Unit staff, nurturing innovation, creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy that is embedded within UNCCD’s activities and work.
Performs any other job-related activities as required to achieve the goals and objectives of the UNCCD.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of environmental issues in general and of specific areas being supervised. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 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.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

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