Established in April 2012, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has a membership of over 140 Governments (see www.ipbes. net) and seeks to respond to the needs of governments and other stakeholders to strengthen the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

This position is located at the IPBES Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. Under the direct supervision of the Head of Communications and the overall supervision of the IPBES Executive Secretary, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

•  Tracks, researches and analyzes information on assigned topics/issues; gathers information from diverse sources and helps to assess news value and other potential impact, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of information campaigns.
•  Drafts and distributes both print and broadcast as well as social media information communications products for target audiences, to include press releases, media packets and reports, brochures, briefings, video clips, newsletters, websites and social media posts.
•  Organizes the clearance, production and distribution of information material; conducts photo and graphic research; maintains, updates and manages the digital information assets of the Platform.
•  Prepares, based on official IPBES and UN documentation and other sources, initials drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
•  In consultation with others identifies and proposes information opportunities, activities and approaches, considering the situation/topic and target audience. eCxNuu6 BIpnb
•  Identifies key contacts/constituencies/stakeholders and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication efforts and maintains working relationships with the same.
•  Organizes or participates in the organization of conferences, seminars, press briefings and interviews, prepares briefing materials for senior officials prior to their participation in such events.
•  Responds to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepares related correspondence.
•  Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting
•  Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

•  PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to plan, execute and monitor public communication campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation. Ability to research and analyze issues and topics related to current events. Ability to draft and compile a variety of written communication products in a clear, concise style. Ability to interact with the public to build and maintain effective business connections. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
•  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.
•  CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job-specific Qualifications

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required
• A minimum of one year of operational experience of social media in a professional setting is required
• Experience in the field of public information or communications in a professional biodiversity context is desirable.
• Experience in the field of public information or communications in the United Nations is desirable
• Experience in the field of public information or communications in the United Nations is
• desirable
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable (none if successful YPP or P-1 with a related degree).

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.