Communications Officer – Global Fund for Coral Reef

About the role

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is hiring a Communications Officer for its Marine and Coastal Unit, Marine and Freshwater Branch, Ecosystems Division, based in Nairobi. Reporting directly to the Chief of the Marine and Coastal Unit, the officer leads the design and implementation of the Global Fund for Coral Reef (GFCR) global communications strategy and its advocacy positioning across ocean, climate, biodiversity and sustainable finance policy processes.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the GFCR global communications strategy, aligned with UN system priorities and GFCR's objectives.
• Lead GFCR's global advocacy positioning and support alignment with UN resolutions, international frameworks and global commitments.
• Develop a strategic engagement framework covering stakeholder mapping and engagement with governments, donors, DFIs, the private sector and multilateral institutions.
• Coordinate political engagement and mobilization strategies to raise the One Ocean Finance Initiative in multilateral, ministerial and intergovernmental processes.
• Research, analyze and present information; assist in communications aspects of policy development, including issue analysis, evaluations and studies.
• Undertake surveys, design data collection tools, analyze responses and prepare conclusions.
• Prepare briefing notes, opening remarks, draft background papers, report sections and inputs to publications.
• Support meetings, conferences and workshops, including agenda proposals, participant identification and document preparation.
• Participate in or lead field missions, guide external consultants and government officials, and draft mission summaries.
• Contribute to budget and funding activities, and collect and visualize data to support decision-making.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate, or equivalent) in communication, public advocacy, environmental communications, social science or a related field; a Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communication, advocacy, knowledge management, data analysis and documentation in sustainable development, environmental management, climate change, ecosystems and oceans at the international level.
• Experience designing and implementing global communications and advocacy strategies for development programmes.
• Experience coordinating political engagement and strengthening partnerships with public and private sector partners.
• Desirable: 3 years with international development organizations, multilateral institutions or the UN system, and 2 years in data analytics or a related area.
• English required; French desirable.

Required skills

• Knowledge of strategic communications, advocacy and stakeholder engagement in international ocean, climate, biodiversity and sustainable-finance contexts.
• Data collection, analysis and interpretation, including data visualization.
• Teamwork, professionalism and gender perspective in work.