Communications Specialist

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU’s expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About Office of Communications

The global UNU system comprises UNU 13 research and training institutes. UNU Centre – Tokyo (Japan) serves as the programming, planning and administrative headquarters unit of the University. It comprises the Office of the Rector, Administration and Finance Services, the Campus Computing Centre, and the Office of Communications.

Responsibilities:

• Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Communications:
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive media and stakeholder outreach strategy to raise the profile of UNU in Japan
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive UNU Japanese stakeholder network to enhance communication efforts. Help identify and engage with influential Japanese agencies/partners who can amplify UNU’s work among their networks in Japan.
• Manage Japanese-language social media accounts and build campaigns targeting Japanese audiences; monitor and analyze digital outreach metrics to measure effectiveness and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Act as liaison with stakeholders, including other UN organizations in Japan. Maintain and develop relationships with other UN staff in Japan and identify areas to increase inter-agency collaboration.

Provide regular insight and advice to the Head of Communications and the Office of the Rector on media and stakeholder relations opportunities in Japan:

• Liaise between the Office of Communications and the Office of the Rector to identify opportunities, and propose strategies, for UNU to get more involved in events, activities, and initiatives taking place in Japan.
• Pitch UNU’s research, activities, and experts to Japanese journalists and media agencies (through press releases, media advisories, interviews, press conferences, feature stories, social media, etc.) to increase the positive coverage of UNU in Japanese media. Respond to media inquiries from Japanese media outlets.
• Collaborate with other institutes, especially UNU-IAS, to identify media opportunities in the Japanese market that align with UNU research areas and expertise.
• Seek out and facilitate media interviews with UNU personnel, and provide pre-interview assistance (coaching, preparation of key messages/background materials, etc.).
• Develop, maintain, and track relationships with media representatives in Japan. Build and develop media contacts for effective news dissemination.

Pitch, lead and support UNU events and activities that connect UNU to the public  in Japan:

• When the event or activitiy is led by the Rector’s Office, provide promotion and event day support.
• For OC-led events or activities, take a leadership role in ideation, planning, promotion, execution and event day management.

Supervise the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant in their role supporting domestic outreach and communications activities led by the Office of Communications:

• Provide guidance to the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant in managing UNU’s Japanese social media accounts. Propose additional platforms of potential use to UNU outreach efforts in Japan.
• Support the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant in proposing, developing, and coordinating UNU outreach events and activities in Japan.

Manage UNU’s Japanese website presence and printed marketing materials in Japanese:

• Ensure Japanese website content is refreshed and up to date.
• Translate, where appropriate, English material into Japanese and coordinate English/Japanese translations. Edit and proofread Japanese content, including material drafted by the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant.
• Lead in the development of original content on UNU websites in Japanese, and support content creation in English.
• Propose and facilitate the creation of UNU Japanese-language marketing materials as needed, with the support of the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant.
• Assist in the development of UNU’s web platform from a Japanese language perspective.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key performance indicators:

• Timely and development and implementation of a high-quality, comprehensive media and stakeholder outreach strategy
• Timely delivery of high-quality website content
• High level of engagement with stakeholders and media organizations
• Successful mentorship and guidance of the Japan Outreach Communications Assistant

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Qualifications:

Education and certification:

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in journalism, communications, international relations, marketing, or a related field.

Required skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with four (4) years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree with two (2) years of relevant experience in journalism, communications, or other relevant fields, some of which preferably in an international setting;
• Knowledge of social media platforms;
• Experience in drafting press releases, articles and communications material is required;
• Experience building media and stakeholder outreach strategies
• Experience in event management
• Excellent computer skills and web literacy

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Japanese is required
• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Source: https://careers.unu.edu/o/communications-specialist-nob