The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and of wetland biodiversity and services. It is the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services for the Convention.

The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and of wetland biodiversity and services. It was the first of the modern global multilateral environmental agreements and remains the only one devoted to a specific critical ecosystem.

The Convention Secretariat has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland, where the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides some administrative services to the Convention’s Contracting Parties for the operations and implementation of the Convention.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Secretary General, the post-holder is responsible for strengthening the positioning and relevance of the Convention through developing and providing audience and outcome specific communications products, tools and content, particularly related to policy and policy related processes, to support the communications, policy and representation objectives of the Convention.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identification, creation and utilization of communications content

• Based on needs identified by the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and the Head of Policy and Science undertake external and internal scans of relevant information to support the communications, policy and representation objectives of the Secretariat of the Convention;

• Follow current news, science and global dialogue on matters related to wetlands and advise Secretariat leadership on emerging trends and issues, and how the Convention can be positioned to increase relevancy and action for wetlands;

• “Translate” technical papers and information into audience right language so that technical information can be understood by target audiences;

• Liaise with other MEAs for the mutual exchange of information and messages and identify opportunities for the dissemination of content developed by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands;

• Analyse meeting documents to identify key opportunities and messages for effective engagement from the Secretary General and the Secretariat in various policy processes (e.g. climate, biodiversity, water, disaster risk reduction);

• Draft and prepare written and video statements for the Secretary General and the Secretariat;

• Prepare briefings and talking points for Secretariat leadership participation as panellists and speakers at global meetings and events;

• Write speeches and scripts for Secretariat leadership;

• Write thought leadership and opinion pieces that effectively communicate strategic messages and actions for Secretariat leadership and the Convention;

• Provide content and content plans/calendars for social media channels including the Convention’s and the Secretary General’s Twitter accounts, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Monitor the social media landscape to identify trending topics, themes and dialogues;

• Provide guidance and advice to the STRP and Head of Science and Policy on how to make STRP outputs target audience right. Edit STRP outputs as requested to ensure they clearly communicate key ideas and messages and speak to the target audience;

• Provide regular briefings to Secretariat leadership and staff on emerging wetland related issues, trends and global Leads on media outreach.

2. Other Duties

• Copy edit papers, communications to Parties and official meeting documents (e.g. Standing Committee papers, meeting reports, COP resolutions) as requested;

• Draft papers, communications and written outputs as requested;

• Provide guidance and advice to Secretariat staff on communications content issues.