Individual Contractor – digital communication and social media

communication, social media, digital marketing, graphic design, journalism, public relations

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) delivers on its mandate to strengthen the capacities of beneficiaries through training, capacity development, applied research and related activities. Annually, the Institute organizes over 1300 learning and knowledge-sharing events benefiting close to 400,000 beneficiaries all around the world.

The position of Individual Contractor – digital communication and social media - is located in the Communication and IT Support Unit (CITSU), which oversees all communications activities and IT resources at UNITAR. CITSU develops and implement communications strategy and gives advice on various communications related issues to programmes. The Unit manages various online platforms such as the intranet, website, Event Management System, virtual learning platform as well as several social media channels.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit, the Individual Contractor will be supporting the delivery of the Institute’s communications strategy. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for creating dynamic and engaging social media and digital content and ensures its consistency. He/she provides support to all programme units in implementing various communication activities, coordinate different campaigns and implement the UNITAR’s communications strategy from social media and digital communication side.

The Contractor will also be accountable for facilitating smooth information flow among various departments of the Institute, and for supporting the planning and implementation of a range of internal training and events.

Under the supervision of the Chief, Communication and IT Support unit, the incumbent will:

Develop and implement the social media policy, strategy and guidelines

• Conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of social media channels currently managed by UNITAR, establish baseline engagement metrics.
• Provide detailed recommendations based on this review on what ways to increase engagement amongst existing audiences and attract new audiences.
• Implement UNITAR’s existing social media policy, strategy and guidelines.
• Review and expand the policy, strategy and guidelines as appropriate.
• Monitor new developments in the area of social media and digital communication, and give advice to the Chief of CITSU as well as relevant staff and collaborators.
• Research and propose expansion of UNITAR’s presence on additional platforms, as appropriate.

Oversee and manage the strategic growth of global audiences through social media and other digital channels

• Research, edit, write and develop high-impact social media content including copy, graphics, videos and other multimedia formats that effectively informs and engages external audiences and supports campaigns on a day-to-day basis.
• Create and manage editorial calendar to coordinate the content from different programme units to ensure coherent messages and branding.
• Ensure daily management, monitoring and engagement on UNITAR social media platforms, and answer inquiries, in consultation with the Chief of CITSU.
• Identify and reach out to external partners to support and amplify social media campaigns and initiatives aligned to UNITAR’s mandate and mission.
• Drive paid advertising campaigns across social media.

Create and send out newsletters, course announcements and provide website content management

• Collect articles, draft and edit quarterly newsletters and course announcements HTML template and disseminate the newsletters and announcements using an email marketing tool.
• Manage email lists and optimize the mailing for target audience groups.
• Edit and upload content to the corporate website.

Measure web and social media performance and optimize

• Regularly monitor and analyze the effectiveness of social media channels, report on the predetermined key performance indicators and make recommendations for improvements.
• Use social media listening tools to drive insights and suggestions for UNITAR social media and digital platforms.
• Produce regular analytics reports for web, social media, newsletters, and course announcements, specifically campaigns and quarterly and yearly reporting, using different tools.

Provide photography and videography and event support

• If and when requested by programme units or the Office of the Executive Director, provide support in taking photographs and videos at an event or courses, edit them and deliver final products.
• Provide assistance in corporate and programme events including promotion, registration, setting up, logistics and on-site support.
• Provide a communication plan for events, detailing target audiences and plans for reaching them.

Plan and organize communication training

• Identify needs and requirements, create and deliver training programmes and information sessions on various communication skills for staff and collaborators.

Perform other tasks

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Chief of CITSU.

• Staff and collaborators in the Communications and IT Support Unit, in various programme units and the Office of the Executive Director in order to deliver and assist in delivering communication services and products.
• Staff and collaborators of other UN agencies and international organizations to collaborate and promote UNITAR content and campaigns.
• Vendors and service providers of communication services that are used by UNITAR.
• Administration and Procurement Unit to coordinate the procurement process for communication and social media related services and products.

• Social media channels review done, recommendations provided.
• Social media channels are managed and monitored on a daily basis.
• Increase in engagement, followership and influence of UNITAR’s social media accounts.
• Increase of global social media campaigns.
• Improvement in consistency of social media content.
• Communication effectiveness report issued, recommendations proposed.
• Assistance given to all programme units in social media management, website management, online course announcement and other relevant communication tasks.
• All tasks performed in a professional manner, within a set schedule and under budget.

Professionalism– Excellent knowledge in the field of corporate social media management, digital communication, theories and tools.

Experience in creating multimedia content for social media and other digital channels, including campaign visuals and videos.

Experience in managing social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) for an organization and excellent knowledge on challenges and opportunities in managing corporate social media channels.

Experience and knowledge in social media and web analytics, has ability to define relevant key performance indicators, to collect data, issue reports and give advice for improvement.

Experience and knowledge in creating and issuing html-based e-newsletters using email marketing platform, and in using email analytics, has ability to report and give advice for improvement.

Experience in creating communication campaigns for different audiences, including messaging and visuals, and in measuring the impact of the campaign.

Planning & Organizing – Excellent planning and organizational skills and ability to prioritize own work, delivering results and quality work, including when working under pressure.

Commitment to continuous learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of social media, digital communication and new technologies. Ability to adapt new trends and development to the organizational context.

Communications – Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents, such as concept note, blogs, web articles, training materials and presentations.

Excellent oral and writing skills both in English and French, especially writing compelling, concise and engaging content suitable for different target audiences and channels.

Ability to evaluate information needs and to provide appropriate and targeted information accordingly.

Technology awareness – Fully proficient in computer skills, with ability to use a variety of software and applications. For this post, the knowledge of social media platforms (twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Yammer), Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud (photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc.,), social media management platform (such as Hootsuite or Metricool), email marketing tool (such as Mailjet or Mailchimp), social media content planning tool (Trello), web analytics tool (such as Google analytics) is required.

Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills; ability to deal effectively with multiple constituencies and to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, journalism, public relations, business administration, liberal arts or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in social media management, digital communication or relevant field is required.

Experience with social media tools (content creation and management) and digital analytics for efficient management of digital communication is required.

Demonstrated track record of results-based strategic planning and implementation of digital campaigns is preferred.

Experience producing written content as well as videos and graphics for social media is preferred.

Knowledge and experience with paid advertisement for social media is preferred.

Previous experience in working in an international organization is an asset.

Language: Excellent command of both English and French (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language would be an advantage.

This is a re-advertisement of the same post advertised in August 2023. Those who have already applied for this post in August need not apply.

This position is located in Geneva, Switzerland and the individual contractor is required to work from the UNITAR office in Geneva. General conditions of contracts for the service of individual contractors apply. Individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local laws. UNITAR does not reimburse individual contractors for any taxes, duty, or other contribution payable by the individual contractors on payments made under the Individual contractor contract.

The Institute does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for individual contractors, and they are not eligible to participate in the life and health insurance schemes provided by the UN for its staff members.

This is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor is he/she a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).