Communication and Advocacy consultant

Communication and Advocacy consultant

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Nairobi

International

CON level

Speaks English, French

Application deadline: October 08, 2026 (8 days)

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Summary by Impactpool

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Communication and Advocacy Consultant to enhance the visibility and recognition of its wastewater and environmental surveillance initiatives. The consultant will develop and implement strategic communication plans, create high-quality content, and engage stakeholders to promote project achievements. This role requires expertise in digital communications and the ability to translate complex information into accessible materials. The consultant will also manage media relations and ensure compliance with communication standards.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced university degree in Communications Studies or related field

Minimum five years of experience in communication and advocacy for Source to Sea Pollution

Experience in managing digital communication platforms

Experience in supporting communications for international events

Fluency in written and spoken English and French

Result of Service

• Enhanced visibility and recognition of the project, its objectives, achievements and contribution to wastewater and environmental surveillance. • Improved communication and knowledge sharing of technical findings, project results, lessons learned and good practices among key stakeholders. • Strengthened stakeholder, partner and donor engagement through consistent, timely and audience-appropriate communications. • Sustained and measurable communications impact, supported by effective monitoring, documentation and dissemination of project results.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of government and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This role is required in the Ecosystem Division to support the Source to Sea Pollution Unit to increase the visibility of impact and outputs of the Unit, particularly for activities under the Wastewater Surveillance Initiative for Africa (WWS4Africa), funded by the European Union's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). The Communication and Advocacy consultant will be located in UNEP/Ecosystems Division, Source to Sea Pollution Unit, and the incumbent will report to the Programme Management Officer (Wastewater). Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer (Wastewater), the consultant's duties will include the following work: 1. Strategic Communications and Visibility a. Develop and implement a project communications and visibility plan aligned with UNEP corporate communication priorities and the requirements of the European Commission/DG HERA. b. Identify and proactively pursue opportunities to enhance the visibility and impact of the project and its results. c. Ensure consistent messaging and positioning of project activities across communication channels and products. d. Monitor implementation of communications activities and recommend adjustments to improve reach, engagement and effectiveness. 2. Content Development and Storytelling a. Develop, draft and edit high-quality communications and knowledge products for a range of audiences, including news stories, feature and human-interest stories, donor success stories, web content, newsletters, policy briefs, talking points, speeches, presentations, brochures, factsheets, social media content, donor-reporting inputs and other knowledge products. b. Translate complex scientific, technical and policy information related to wastewater and environmental surveillance into clear, accessible and audience-appropriate communication materials. c. Develop compelling narratives that demonstrate project achievements, results, lessons learned and the benefits of wastewater and environmental surveillance approaches. d. Ensure that all communication materials are accurate, accessible, consistent and aligned with UNEP editorial and branding standards. 3. Digital and Multimedia Communications a. Develop and regular update project content for UNEP webpages, social media platforms, newsletters and other relevant digital channels. b. Coordinate the production of multimedia communication products, including videos, animations, infographics, podcasts, photography and other visual materials. c. Work with relevant UNEP teams and external service providers to ensure the timely production and dissemination of digital and multimedia products. d. Monitor digital engagement and communication analytics and provide recommendations to strengthen audience reach and engagement. e. Maintain an organized repository of communication and multimedia assets in accordance with UNEP knowledge-management practices. 4. Stakeholder Engagement and Event Communications a. Provide communications guidance for engagement with key project stakeholders, including African governments, Africa CDC, WHO, African Union institutions, Regional Economic Communities, River Basin Organizations, laboratories, universities, development partners, donor agencies, civil society organizations and media. b. Prepare communication materials and key messages for stakeholder engagement and high-level meetings. c. Lead communications tasks for webinars, workshops, side events, launches, missions and high-level meetings, including event messaging, promotional materials, media engagement and post-event communications. d. Document and disseminate key outcomes, messages and results from project events and stakeholder engagements. 5. Knowledge Management and Documentation of Results a. Coordinate systematic documentation and dissemination of project results, lessons learned, good practices and emerging evidence. b. Develop case studies, country stories, beneficiary stories, technical success stories and other results-based communication products. c. Capture and communicate experiences and lessons from participating countries to support peer learning and knowledge exchange. d. Develop communication templates, guidance and tools to facilitate consistent communications by country and implementing partners. e. Coordinate the dissemination of knowledge products and project results across participating countries and relevant regional and global networks. 6. Donor Visibility and Communications Compliance a. Ensure that project communication and visibility activities comply with UNEP corporate requirements and relevant European Commission/DG HERA visibility and branding requirements. b. Develop communications and visibility packages highlighting EU-supported project activities, results and impacts. c. Document project results through beneficiary stories, case studies, photographs, videos and other appropriate communication products. d. Provide communications guidance for donor missions, visits and high-level engagements. e. Prepare communications and visibility inputs for project progress reports, donor reports and other reporting requirements. 7. Media Relations a. Draft and coordinate the preparation of media materials, including press releases, media advisories, media kits, key messages, talking points and frequently asked questions. b. Guide media engagement and outreach around major project milestones, events, launches and high-level meetings. c. Coordinate responses to media enquiries in consultation with the UNEP Communications Division and relevant technical colleagues. d. Identify opportunities to increase media coverage and public awareness of project results and the broader importance of wastewater and environmental surveillance. 8. Procurement and Management of Communications Services a. Prepare Terms of Reference, technical specifications and other documentation required for the procurement of communications-related services. b. Coordinate the engagement and management of external communications service providers, including graphic designers, videographers, photographers, translators, editors and other communications specialists. c. Monitor the quality, progress and timely delivery of communications-related contracts and services. d. Review communication products delivered by external service providers to ensure compliance with agreed technical, editorial, branding and quality requirements. 9. Monitoring, Reporting and Performance Tracking a. Maintain and regularly update the project communications workplan and activity tracker. b. Establish and monitor relevant communications and visibility indicators and targets. c. Track the implementation and performance of communication activities across different channels. d. Prepare periodic communications and visibility updates and contribute inputs to project progress and donor reports. e. Maintain records of communication outputs, media coverage, digital engagement, events and other visibility activities to support project monitoring, reporting and evaluation. f. Provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness, reach and impact of project communications based on monitoring and performance data.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications Studies, or Organizational Communication; or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum five years of work experience in preparing communication and advocacy related to Source to Sea Pollution materials in UN agencies is required Experience in managing digital communication platforms and supporting communications for international events and multi-country programmes related to Source to Sea Pollution within UN Agencies is required Experience in communication and outreach supporting multi-country programmes on Wastewater Surveillance, particularly in Africa is required Knowledge and expertise in high-level environment and sustainable development issues is desirable.

Languages

For the advertised post, fluency in written and spoken English and French is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Summary by Impactpool

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a Communication and Advocacy Consultant to enhance the visibility and recognition of its wastewater and environmental surveillance initiatives. The consultant will develop and implement strategic communication plans, create high-quality content, and engage stakeholders to promote project achievements. This role requires expertise in digital communications and the ability to translate complex information into accessible materials. The consultant will also manage media relations and ensure compliance with communication standards.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced university degree in Communications Studies or related field

Minimum five years of experience in communication and advocacy for Source to Sea Pollution

Experience in managing digital communication platforms

Experience in supporting communications for international events

Fluency in written and spoken English and French

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Communication and Advocacy consultant

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Nairobi

International

CON level

Speaks English, French

Apply