Communications Consultant – Climate Change and Urban Environment

Communications Consultant – Climate Change and Urban Environment

UN HABITAT – United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Home based

UN-Habitat is seeking a communications consultant to strengthen the visibility and strategic impact of its urban climate action workstreams, initiatives, events and programmes including working to scale up implementation of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative, Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor (RISE UP), and activities under the Innovate4Cities initiative.

Objective of the Consultancy

To ensure visibility, coherence and impact across its growing initiatives and programmes, UN-Habitat seeks a communications expert to develop a comprehensive communications approach for communicating the organization’s climate and urban environment work. The consultant will develop and implement integrated and targeted communication strategies, including building a cohesive narrative, promoting key milestones such as COP events and national climate plan updates, showcasing local action, and supporting active engagement with relevant stakeholders through key events, initiatives and meetings.

The consultant will also support the preparation and delivery of major events such as Innovate4Cities Conference(s) and the Ministerial Meeting(s) on Urbanization and Climate Change. This includes coordinating internal workstreams and timelines, preparing briefing packages, liaising with teams and partners, and managing event-related communication products including creating high-quality content and outreach materials and translating outputs into accessible messages that resonate with technical, political and urban stakeholder audiences.

This work will directly support UN-Habitat’s broader efforts to strengthen multilevel and multisectoral collaboration to accelerate climate action directly supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029, with housing, land and urban basic services at the centre and climate action as a core impact area.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Officer – Multilevel Climate Action and in close collaboration with colleagues from the Climate Change and Urban Environment team and other communication focal points, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:

Communications (60%)

• Develop and implement integrated communications strategies to enhance the visibility, coherence and impact of key climate initiatives, including the SURGe initiative and Innovate4Cities.
• Create and maintain brand guidelines in adherence to UN-Habitat’s established branding guidelines, including messaging guidelines.
• Draft and coordinate communication products such as press releases, web articles, and social media content related to key climate events (e.g. COP30) and milestones of initiatives.
• Produce case studies, policy briefs, or other publications showcasing urban climate action.
• Coordinate media outreach and manage partnerships with communications teams across UN-Habitat and external partners.
• Support planning and execution of high-visibility stakeholder engagement events and webinars.

Outreach and event support (20%)

• Support internal planning, coordination and the execution of events such as the Ministerial Meeting(s) on Urbanization and Climate Change, events held under the Innovate4Cities initiative and other key climate events
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to align communication activities related to events by developing and supporting the creation of run of show documents, concept notes, talking points and/or briefings.
• Maintain a detailed, up-to-date database of SURGe members and track engagement.
• Facilitate regular communications (newsletters, updates, coordination meetings) among internal and external stakeholders.

Website development and content (20%)

• Lead the design and coordination of web-based content including a dedicated SURGe webpage or microsite, in alignment with UN-Habitat’s digital landscape and branding guidelines.
• Maintain and regularly update digital content, ensuring visibility for publications, announcements, and events.

EXPECTED RESULTS/ Ultimate Results

SURGe communications strategy and brand toolkit; functional web presence; and communication outputs showcasing multilevel, multisectoral and local climate action.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM:

Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies; Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital communications strategy, tools, approaches and practices for the creation and maintenance of high-quality communication campaigns; Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze, strategize and integrate diverse information from various multimedia and digital sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

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.

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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK:

Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Proven experience in developing and implementing communications strategies in an international or multilateral context, preferably within the UN system or related to climate action and sustainable urban development is required
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects independently, with strong organizational, coordination and planning skills is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical material into compelling accessible content. Proven capacity to produce clear, engaging narratives and materials to diverse audience across various formats (e.g., web, social media, policy briefs) is required
• Familiarity with climate policy processes, particularly Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Paris Agreement, and urban climate action is desirable
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders across levels of government, UN agencies and external partners with minimal supervision, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs under pressure is desirable
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, with the ability to communicate and work effectively in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment is desirable. fluency in written and spoken English is required

education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, international relations, or a related field is required.

Work experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, or related fields is required
• Proven experience in developing communications strategies and materials for international development or climate initiatives is required
• Demonstrated experience in website and social media content production is desirable
• Familiarity with urban resilience and climate policy frameworks is desirable.

Language

French and English are the working languages ​​of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.

Apply NowDeadline 31 July