Consultant - Communications Expert - Malaysia - Sustainable Cooling

Result of Service• A comprehensive Communications Strategy tailored to the Malaysian context, incorporating stakeholder-specific messaging, appropriate outreach channels, and monitoring and evaluation metrics. • A complete set of professionally designed and branded communication materials, including multimedia content, infographics, social media assets, and consumer education resources in line with UNEP and donor visibility guidelines. • Successful execution of the Awareness Campaign across multiple platforms in coordination with UNEP-U4E and pre-approved stakeholders, including engagement with industry, media, influencers, and civil society. • An awareness raising video targeting public (before vs after using energy efficient RACs) are developed and published in the project’s media channels, national media and partners’ platforms. • A series of multimedia content is developed and disseminated to target two key audiences: (i) consumers—focusing on how to understand and use the energy label for air conditioners to make informed purchasing decisions; and (ii) vendors and suppliers—enhancing their awareness and understanding of compliance requirements under the new MEPS and labelling standards. The content will be delivered through a mix of communication platforms including radio, social media, television, and others, as appropriate. • Delivery of at least one outreach or briefing event in collaboration with UNEP-U4E and relevant stakeholders to promote campaign messages and build stakeholder support. • A final report documenting campaign activities, outcomes, lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for future communication efforts. • An organized and accessible repository of all communication assets and documentation produced under the consultancy for UNEP-U4E’s use. Work LocationKuala Lumpur, Malaysia Expected duration6 months (Part time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP leads the United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E) initiative, which was launched in 2014 to help developing and emerging markets quickly and comprehensively transition to energy-efficient appliances and equipment including lighting, room air conditioners, household refrigerators, electric motors and transformers. A well-designed set of policies can help transform these markets by enabling them to leapfrog past outdated technologies into superior, cost-effective alternatives. (see http://united4efficiency.org). In national and regional projects around the world, U4E promotes an Integrated Policy Approach that includes minimum energy performance standards (MEPS); product labelling and communications; financial mechanisms; market monitoring, verification of product performance and enforcement of regulations (MVE); and environmentally sound management (ESM) and safe handling of products. In 2023, the ‘ASEAN Cool Initiative’ was launched to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Policy Roadmap for Energy-Efficient Room Air Conditioners (RACs) by providing technical assistance and capacity building on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling across the region (see: https://united4efficiency.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/U4E_FACT-SHEETS_ASEAN_2023-09-03.pdf). The ASEAN Cool Initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of the ASEAN Regional Policy Roadmap for efficient RACs—pushing countries toward Phase II CSPF levels of 6.09 Wh/Wh. This initiative partners with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) to implement activities at the regional level, together with other partners including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC). UNEP-U4E and key partners have been supporting Energy Commission of Malaysia under the ASEAN Cool Initiative. The MEPS for RACs has been recently gazetted under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 and aligned with the U4E Model Regulation Guidelines and meet the ASEAN Regional Phase II target of 6.09 CSPF (Wh/Wh). The new standards will come into force in January 2026. U4E is seeking to recruit a communication expert who will be responsible for supporting the design, development, and implementation of a national communications and awareness campaign to promote the adoption of energy-efficient RACs while advocating the public on the revised MEPS for RACs in Malaysia. Under the guidance of UNEP-U4E and in coordination with various stakeholders, the consultant will carry out the following specific tasks: 1. Stakeholder Engagement and Awareness Building • Identify and map key stakeholder groups including related government agencies, industry associations, manufacturers, importers, retailers, civil society organizations, media, and consumers. • Engage stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including NGOs collaborators and industry representatives, to raise awareness of the revised MEPS and the benefits of transitioning to energy-efficient RACs. • Design stakeholder-specific messaging to support compliance, advocacy, and behavioural change aligned with the ASEAN Cool Initiative’s objectives. 2. Development of a Comprehensive Communications Strategy • Develop a tailored Communications Strategy to guide the implementation of the awareness campaign in Malaysia. • The strategy should define objectives, key messages, target audiences, communication channels, timeline, and performance indicators. • Ensure alignment with UNEP and donor visibility guidelines. 3. Design and Production of Awareness Campaign Materials • Create multimedia content (graphics, infographics, animations, videos, press kits, etc.) for various media platforms. • Develop promotional materials to educate consumers on how to identify and interpret RAC labels, and to encourage purchase decisions based on energy efficiency. • Ensure that all communication materials are culturally appropriate, translated into the relevant national and local language(s), and professionally branded in line with UNEP guidelines. 4. Implementation of the Awareness Campaign • Roll out the Awareness Campaign across multiple channel in line with the approved Communications Strategy in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. • Follow up with relevant stakeholders on the approved content updates and audience engagement. • Coordinate with pre-approved local media, influencers, and key opinion leaders to amplify campaign messages. • Organize outreach events or briefings in consultation with UNEP-U4E and relevant stakeholders to generate visibility and encourage stakeholder buy-in. 5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting • Design tools and methodologies to monitor campaign reach, engagement, and impact, including metrics such as audience reach, impressions, and feedback from stakeholders. • Draft and submit a Final Report summarizing all communication activities, outcomes, project impact, lessons learned, campaign success and documented best practices. The report should be suitable for both internal learning and external dissemination. • Maintain an organized repository of all communication assets produced (graphics, videos, reports, scripts). 6. Coordination and Collaboration • Work closely with UNEP-U4E’s team and relevant stakeholders. • Attend coordination meetings (both physical and virtual) and provide regular updates to UNEP-U4E and relevant stakeholders. • Support efforts to ensure communication outputs are synchronized with broader project implementation timelines and policy milestones (e.g., launch of MEPS, stakeholder consultations). Qualifications/special skills• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, environmental studies, or a related field is required. • At least 5 years of professional experience in international development, public communications, strategic communications, or media relations, preferably within environmental, sustainability, or energy efficiency sectors. • Proven ability to develop and produce high-quality multimedia content including graphics, social media assets, and audio-visual materials tailored for diverse audiences. • Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing communication strategies at the institutional or national level, preferably with regional scope. • Experience in developing, editing, and overseeing publication layouts and managing website and social media content • Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with ability to translate technical content into accessible language. • Proficient in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or equivalents. • Familiarity with energy efficiency policies, sustainable cooling, and appliance standards in Malaysia or Southeast Asia is desirable. • Proven skills in analyzing lessons learned and applying findings to improve communications. • Established network and prior experience working with national media outlets. • Availability to travel within Malaysia for stakeholder consultations, campaign rollout, or outreach events as required. • Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and deliver quality results under tight deadlines. • Prior experience with UNEP, the United Nations system, or other international organizations is an advantage. • Strong strategic thinking and project management skills. • Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, capable of coordinating across multiple sectors and cultural contexts. Languages• Fluent in English and Bahasa Malaysia; proficiency in additional local languages is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.