Communications and Outreach Officer

UNESCO seeks to hire a Communications and Outreach Officer who will lead communications and outreach activities for the Liaison Office in New York.

The Communications and Outreach Officer is a key actor in the production and dissemination of quality content for the press and targeted audiences, including partners, civil society and official institutions in the form of impact and human-interest stories, strategic briefings and compelling content on UNESCO’s impact and key results.

The Communications and Outreach Officer will design and implement Outreach Plans, advise on advocacy positions and key messaging, draft pitches and press releases, and write and place op-eds, in order to position and strengthen UNESCO’s visibility and public reputation for key actors and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead Media and Outreach Planning and advise on strategy.
• Advise the Office Director and liaise with other team members to present UNESCO’s activities and missions, with a view to increase visibility and develop partnerships.
• Identify and craft most relevant messages and optimize the planning of communication, announcements, press briefings, releases, media advisories, pitches and op-eds for optimum media impact and positive public perception of UNESCO.
• Sculpt advocacy and messaging for the media and institutions/government institutions/UN audiences.
• Monitor relevant developments at the United Nations and in the United States, including government, civil society and media activities of relevance to UNESCO’s mandate. Analyse and prepare strategic notes on their impact for the Organisation’s engagement.
• Pitch UNESCO stories to journalists, draft press releases and op-eds. Shape style and substance for UNESCO’s voice in the media and American press. Compose press releases on priority topics, defining angles, headlines and leads and quotes, based on clear evidence to maximize UNESCO’s coverage. This includes English language editing, translating, proof-reading, re-drafting texts, statements, talking points and other messages.

Required qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communication, Public Relations, Social Sciences, International Relations or a related field.
• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the field of Communication and International Relations, of which preferably 2 years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience in managing communications campaigns and related fields of press relations, digital communications and public relations.
• Background in advocacy and outreach.
• Excellent knowledge of the United States media landscape.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills.
• Proven ability to pitch compelling stories to media and the public.
• Ability to rapidly analyse, synthesise, adjust and calibrate information.
• Excellent diplomatic skills and political sense.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

How to apply

The application deadline for this is September 5, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.