Editor and Writer

Result of Service

• Strengthened quality, visibility and dissemination of UNEP freshwater-related communication, policy and knowledge products across global policy and stakeholder engagement processes. • Strategic freshwater reports, guidance documents, technical papers, consultation summaries and communication materials drafted, edited and finalized to support project implementation and policy engagement. • Effective communication and outreach support provided for major international freshwater, climate and environmental governance processes, including UNEA follow-up, COP-related activities, UN-Water engagement and the Baku Dialogue Initiative. • Increased stakeholder awareness, engagement and participation through the development of accessible, inclusive and targeted communication and advocacy materials. • Enhanced online visibility and digital communication presence for UNEP freshwater initiatives through updated web content, multimedia products and strategic outreach assets. • Improved internal and external knowledge-sharing, coordination and dissemination of project outcomes, best practices and strategic freshwater priorities among UNEP, Member States, partners and stakeholders.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

5.5 - 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. 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 consultancy is located within the UNEP Ecosystems Division, Marine and Freshwater Branch, Freshwater Ecosystems Unit (FEU), under the direct supervision of the Head of the Unit and the Associate Programme Officer. Specific tasks and responsibilities: • Draft, edit, proofread and support publication of freshwater-related technical reports, guidance documents, strategic papers, consultation summaries, communication materials and knowledge products. • Develop and disseminate communication and outreach materials for global freshwater, climate and environmental governance processes, including UNEA follow-up, UN-Water engagement, the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, and the 2026 UN Water Conference. • Prepare communication products and visibility materials for high-level meetings, COPs, webinars, regional consultations, stakeholder dialogues and global water-related fora, including presentations, speeches, talking points, summaries, briefing notes, web stories and event reports. • Support communication coordination and visibility for strategic freshwater initiatives, partnerships and advocacy efforts, including activities related to freshwater governance, climate adaptation, ecosystem-based approaches and integrated water resources management. • Produce and update website and digital communication content, including online stories, technical highlights, multimedia assets and social media materials promoting project activities and outcomes. • Support stakeholder engagement and outreach activities by developing accessible and inclusive communication materials that strengthen participation and visibility among Member States, youth, Indigenous Peoples, women and other stakeholders. • Document and synthesize technical inputs, consultation outcomes, best practices and lessons learned, including those related to south-south and triangular exchanges and gender-responsive, Indigenous and local knowledge approaches. • Coordinate the development and dissemination of advocacy and campaign materials to support freshwater-related policy priorities, strategic initiatives and broader stakeholder engagement. • Support internal communication, coordination and knowledge-sharing processes within UNEP and among project partners, including preparation of internal updates, briefing materials and communication resources. • Liaise with technical experts, project partners, consultants and communication focal points to ensure coherence, accuracy and timely dissemination of communication products and project outputs. The consultancy is required to provide strategic editorial, communications and outreach support to UNEP’s freshwater-related policy, governance and stakeholder engagement activities under the project, including support to the implementation and visibility of activities related to UNEA freshwater resolutions, the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, UN-Water coordination processes, preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference, and broader freshwater governance and ecosystem initiatives. The consultant will support the drafting, editing, proofreading, dissemination and promotion of technical and policy products, strategic reports, guidance documents, outreach materials and multimedia communication assets, while strengthening stakeholder engagement, policy visibility and knowledge sharing across global freshwater, climate and environmental processes. The consultancy is further required to ensure coherent, high-quality and accessible communication outputs that support UNEP’s strategic freshwater priorities, partnerships and advocacy efforts across major international fora, including COPs, UN-Water meetings, UNEA processes and global water-related events. Objectives, output expectations and performance indicators (Include the final and intermediate results and outputs of services which should be measurable; performance indicators should allow for the evaluation of the results; include details as to how the work must be delivered (e.g. electronic submission, hard copy, etc.)) Objectives include: The objective of this consultancy is to provide strategic editorial, communications and outreach support to UNEP freshwater-related initiatives, global policy processes and stakeholder engagement activities, including support to UNEA follow-up, the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action, UN-Water engagement processes, and preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference. Specific objectives include: 1. Strengthen the quality, consistency, visibility and dissemination of UNEP freshwater-related communication, knowledge and advocacy products across global policy and stakeholder engagement processes. 2. Support the drafting, editing, proofreading and publication of strategic reports, guidance documents, technical papers, consultation summaries and communication materials related to freshwater governance, climate adaptation, ecosystem restoration and integrated water resources management. 3. Enhance communication and outreach support for major international events, policy fora and stakeholder engagement processes, including COPs, UNEA-related activities, UN-Water meetings, Baku Dialogue events, regional consultations and global water-related conferences. 4. Support the development and dissemination of accessible and inclusive communication products and outreach materials that promote stakeholder engagement, policy uptake and visibility of project outcomes, including materials reflecting gender-responsive, Indigenous and local knowledge approaches. 5. Strengthen UNEP’s digital communication and knowledge-sharing platforms through updated web content, multimedia communication products, internal coordination materials and strategic outreach assets. All deliverables shall be submitted electronically in editable Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel formats, as appropriate, together with final PDF versions where required. Communication assets and multimedia materials shall be submitted in formats suitable for web publication and dissemination through UNEP communication channels. Performance indicators: • Timely delivery of high-quality communication, editorial and outreach products in accordance with agreed workplans and deadlines. • Effective communication support provided for strategic freshwater-related events, consultations, publications and global engagement processes. • Improved quality, consistency and visibility of freshwater-related communication materials and online content. • Increased dissemination and stakeholder engagement across project-related communication channels and outreach activities. • Communication outputs effectively support policy engagement, advocacy objectives and dissemination of technical and strategic project outcomes.

Qualifications/special skills

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in language or communication-related studies along with four years of experience is required. Alternatively, the years of experience is reduced by two for candidates who posses an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in language or communication and related studies. At least 4 years of experience in environment related communication and outreach is required; Experience in writing and editing is required; Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts is required; Strong knowledge of website development and promotion. Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work. Openness to change and ability to integrate feedback. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Openness to change and ability to integrate feedback. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. Fluency in other United Nations language is an advantage.

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.