The Global Communications Unit is part of the Directorate and manages IUCN’s communication activities of worldwide relevance. The Unit supports communication activities of IUCN’s Programmes and Regions around the world in order to strengthen IUCN’s profile both within and beyond the conservation community. The Unit sets standards for communication of the IUCN brand and niche as defined in the IUCN Programme 2013-2016.

The successful candidate will receive a two year contract with possibility of renewal.

1. Creation, management and coordination of content and communications activities across the Union

• Lead on the development and coordinate the production of all content -- key communications messages and themed communications campaigns such as the one on nature-based solutions to global challenges, media and web products.
• Manage relations with IUCN communications professionals in the Global Programmes and Regional Offices and work jointly to 1) effectively position and promote IUCN’s knowledge products, 2) communicate IUCN’s results on the ground and 3) promote the value of nature-based solutions to climate change, food security and development challenges.
• Develop a close working relationship with clearly stated deliverables with the Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) -- act as one of two official Secretariat Commission focal points for CEC; ensure this relationship produces concrete results such as redefining IUCN’s target audience and help with designing the nature-based solutions campaign.
• Serve as the main communications liaison with Programmes in HQ and the Regions and provide advice on all communications-related products, events and initiatives; initiate and manage new visibility opportunities.
• Coach Programme and Regional staff and build communications capacity in the Secretariat and Regions in terms of strategic engagement and knowledge mobilization through training courses and workshops.

2. Media Relations

• Lead on raising the media profile of IUCN: plan, manage and execute media-related communications at the global level.
• Work with IUCN Programmes and Regions to identify strong news angles and to refocus media outreach based on IUCN’s strengths and key messages.
• Monitor the results of IUCN’s media work, analyze the media hit and assess the effectiveness of IUCN’s stories having in mind the target audience.
• Write, jointly with the relevant Programme, news releases and have the final say if a story is strong enough to be sent out to IUCN’s 3000 global media contacts.
• Develop with each Programme a target list of the specialized media they would want to reach, advise on appropriate approaches and market niche.
• Serve as second-level spokesperson when necessary and after consultations with the Directorate.
• Establish and manage relationships with media organizations, senior environment correspondents of target media outlets and senior editors of internationally renowned magazines.
• Increase the media interest in the expertise of IUCN spokespeople as the “people to go to” about comments on solutions to environmental challenges.

3. Team management

• Develop the annual work plan of the Communications Unit and assess and approve the individual work plans for each staff member.
• Manage the communications budget in coordination with the Directorate.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of the communications team.
• Organize and manage staff workload; prioritize based on strategic direction under the guidance of the Directorate and in close coordination with Heads of Programmes.
• Responsible for quality control for the communications products produced by the members of the communications team.
• Coordinate the work of the team to ensure focused and consistent messages in line with the Programme and the new communications approach of providing a more streamlined service.
• Present the team and its services and priorities at key meetings as required by the Directorate.

4. Events management

• Develop communications plans and practical on-the-ground management of communications issues for major international events, conferences and summits.
• Attend key policy-influencing events and manage media relations before, during and after these events; act as IUCN’s reporter; plan and execute interviews with high-level opinion and policy makers and ensure best communication channels to raise IUCN’s profile.

5. Strategic communications

• Under the guidance of the Director General (DG) and the Deputy Director General / Managing Director (DDG/MD) give strategic direction for IUCN’s communications activities, especially those related to increasing the knowledge of IUCN’s achievements.
• Under guidance from the Directorate provide advice and support to Programmes and Regions facing a crisis situation that involves external communications.
• Work closely with the Special Assistant to the DG to support the communications initiatives of the DG and DDG/MD; provide communications support to the DG and the DDG as required.