Website UN Global Pulse
@unglobalpulse
Deadline to apply: 14 August 2023
UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.
The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their Peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.
UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement the project activities for UN Global Pulse
UN Global Pulse
UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab. We work at the intersection of innovation and the human sciences to inform, inspire, and strengthen the ability of the United Nations family and those it serves to anticipate, respond and adapt to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Our teams are spread across the world, with hubs in Uganda, Indonesia, Finland and the United States. Drawing on more than a decade of experience with digital innovation in the UN family, UN Global Pulse unites specialists from the digital and social sciences in search of solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, from conflict to climate change.
We aim to reduce the risks that innovation involves and move towards the opportunities. We restore public trust in technology by making it inclusive, accessible and ethical. Our input brings value to the work of the UN and external partners in protecting the vulnerable and defending human rights.
The goals of the UN Global Pulse Network are: i) Support efforts to advance innovations ii) Contribute to the development of global frameworks, and iii) Support the transformation of the UN family.
The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
In May 2022, UN Global Pulse launched its new strategy, now serving as the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab, and reframing its value-add in the context of the UN system. In light of the bold opportunities outlined within the new strategy and recent recruitments undertaken, UN Global Pulse looks to build out the Creative Communications and Design portfolio extensively to better communicate its work and use creative practices to further drive change and support its mission of innovating for our common future.
The Creative Communications and Design portfolio will serve as a “creative studio” to not only support corporate communications but reimagine how creative and science-based communications can be applied to bridge art and organizational change. The portfolio focuses on three strategic pillars across multiple levels of the system UN Global Pulse operates, including the UN Global Pulse Network, the wider UN system and our ecosystem of partners working to use values-based innovation approaches to catalyse collective action.
The three pillars supporting the Creative Communications and Design portfolio are:
- Demonstrate the value, lessons learned, and examples of innovation;
- Build a culture for creative communications and design to drive transformative change;
- Reimagine and experiment with how we communicate and undertake design activities.
As Global Pulse deepens its work on Creative Communications and Design, it is requested that we increase resources to expand the core Creative Communications and Design team to support wider communications needs of Global Pulse Finland activities and the wider UN Global Pulse network.
As Global Pulse deepens its work on Creative Communications and Design, it is requested that we increase resources to expand the core Creative Communications and Design team to support wider communications needs of the network. With the upcoming launch of UN Global Pulse’s new website, blog and newsletter – additional and continuous editorial support for the wider network is required to sustain current needs and requests.
The Communications Officer (Editorial) supports the work of UN Global Pulse under the direct supervision of UN Global Pulse’s Creative Strategy Lead and will work in close collaboration with others across the network. The Communications Officer (Editorial) will be responsible for the following:
Supporting and Developing UN Global Pulse’s Editorial Portfolio:
- Support UN Global Pulse’s editorial and storytelling efforts, including leading on the development of creative briefs, managing the team’s editorial calendar and coordinating with the wider UN Global Pulse network on editorial requests and needs;
- Support the implementation of UN Global Pulse’s Creative Communication Strategy that has clear objectives, messaging and channels for each target audience;
- Create, edit and revise various forms of communication products, including but not limited to creative content for UN Global Pulse’s global platforms, standard messaging documents, reports, project documentation, talking points, articles and other requested texts in a consistent and coherent manner;
- Edit and proof-read written documents in addition to checking spelling, grammar, acronyms and other abbreviations, etc.;
- Ensure all written work has an authentic tone aligned with the overall “one-voice” messaging and vision of UN Global Pulse;
- Ensure that written materials are free from jargon and excessive technical language that retrains or prevents comprehension around the subject and content.
Supporting UN Global Pulse’s External Platforms and Storytelling Efforts:
- Support and technically manage UN Global Pulse’s global social media platforms as well as its Medium page;
- Support the creative production processes at UN Global Pulse through the coordination of clearance processes for stories, posting new content on UN Global Pulse’s blog, and uploading content to the team’s global website;
- Support the development of UN Global Pulse’s quarterly newsletter and wider coordination with Regional Communications Focal Points on newsletter content;
- Support the UN Global Pulse network in developing content for external events, specific and ad-hoc publications, and other editorial or external-facing content as needed;
- Assist in the development of targeted communications strategies and media packages for projects and/or activities that require focused support;
- Undertake research and stay-up-to-date on the latest approaches and trends to creative communications and storytelling, including testing new approaches and methods alongside the team.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Communications Officer (Editorial) will meet weekly with the Creative Specialist to outline ongoing deliverables and ensure that projects and engagements have realistic deadlines and workflows.
In coordination with the Creative Specialist, the Communications Officer (Editorial) will report on progress to ensure the timely deliverables of the agreed outputs. The Communications Officer (Editorial) is expected to exercise flexibility in the assignment regarding the potential of dynamically changing delivery requirements. Even though the duty station is indicated as Helsinki, consideration may be given to allow the position to be home-based, depending on the incumbent’s personal situation. For home-based positions, a location-specific fee scale is applied in determining the contractor’s fee. The position may require international travel.
*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
a) Education:
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) preferably in communications, journalism, social innovation, international relations or a related field.
b) Work Experience:
Required Experience:
- A minimum of two (2) years of progressive experience in one or more of the following: creative communications, social innovation, journalism, public relations or fields relevant to the role.
- Experience in managing website content, social media platforms and developing creative content for diverse audiences and geographical contexts.
Desirable: The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply
- Experience in leading and developing content and stories on complex issues such as artificial intelligence, innovation, climate change and refugees;
- Experience in managing editorial processes – from the creative/brief outline stage, to interviews, drafting content and gathering approval from stakeholders;
- Experience working with United Nations agencies, government, international cooperation and / or international organizations;
- Knowledge and /or experience with creative approaches such as worldbuilding, speculative storytelling, narrative change or other creative practices is an asset;
- Experience in creating and developing content for multimedia formats such as videos, animations and other products is an asset;
- Experience in copywriting, copyediting and wider editorial roles is an asset.
c) Language:
- Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required.
- Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an asset.
