Consultant to Support Communication and Outreach for FfD4

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service is to ensure effective communication and outreach in support of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), amplifying its visibility, engagement, and impact. This includes the delivery of a comprehensive communication and outreach plan focused on international development cooperation, and the execution of tailored activities for key events leading up to the Conference. Throughout the engagement, communication materials will be developed and disseminated, alongside regular updates to the FfD4 website to ensure stakeholders have access to accurate and current information. Through close collaboration with the Policy Analysis and Development Branch, other FSDO colleagues, and a media engagement support consultant, this service will strengthen the outreach capacity of the Office and contribute to the Conference’s success in advancing sustainable development objectives. Work LocationHome-Based Expected duration7 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Objectives: In resolution 78/231 “Follow-up to and implementation of the outcomes of the International Conferences on Financing for Development”, the General Assembly decided to convene a fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in 2025. Member States will identify obstacles and constraints encountered in the achievement of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, as well as actions and initiatives to overcome these constraints. They will also address new and emerging issues, including in the context of the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and to support reform of the international financial architecture. In early 2024, an intergovernmental preparatory committee decided that the preparatory process would include up to five sessions in advance of the Conference itself in Spain from 30 June – 3 July 2025. The first and second sessions of the preparatory committee have been held in Addis Ababa from 22-26 July 2024, and in New York from 3-6 December 2024, respectively. To support member States in their deliberations, the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO), serving as the substantive secretariat for the Conference, launched several initiatives to strengthen the availability of the latest thinking, guidance and proposals on priority issues on the finance agenda. These supplement meetings and events of the official preparatory process, and mandated reports such as the Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024, and reports of the Secretary-General. Among the areas identified as requiring additional insights is international development cooperation, for which a dedicated expert track has been established. Its aim is to identify and socialise possible solutions to the ‘big issues’ related to international development cooperation in the run up to FfD4. To ensure adequate outreach and communication on this, as well as to support broader communication and outreach efforts in relation to the Conference, FSDO will engage a consultant to work with the team, ahead of, during and after FfD4. The consultant will work closely with colleagues in the Policy Analysis and Development Branch of FSDO, as well as other FSDO colleagues leading on various aspects of the FfD4 preparations, and with a media engagement support consultant who will be recruited to strengthen the capacity of the Office in this particular area. Work Assignments: Under the supervision of the Chief of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch, and in consultation with FSDO staff as relevant, the consultant will be responsible for the following work assignments: 1. Implement a comprehensive communication and outreach strategy plan for FfD4 on financing for development issues, and with a particular focus on international development cooperation, ahead of, during, and after FfD4. 2. Implement communication and outreach activities around key events leading up to FfD4, including but not limited to the upcoming sessions of the Preparatory Committee for FfD4, the Development Cooperation Forum, the Financing for Development Forum, as well as expert meetings of the international development cooperation expert track. 3. Prepare high quality communication and outreach materials such as newsletters, write-ups, social media posts, booklets, presentations, backgrounders, images and videos (including conducting, recording and editing interviews and other videos) to enhance visibility of financing for development issues, with a particular focus on international development cooperation, and to maintain stakeholder engagement on these issues ahead of, during, and after FfD4. 4. Prepare, maintain, and update materials for the FfD4 website, ensuring it remains up to date, accessible, and a central platform for the timely dissemination of relevant work, with a particular focus on international development cooperation. This will include drafting engaging content such as social media posts, blogs, and highlight videos. 5. Prepare and disseminate a comprehensive conference report following FfD4 to reflect on related outreach and communication efforts and to collect learning to maximize the impact of future outreach and communication efforts on FfD. 6. Contribute to broader communication and outreach efforts of the Office related to FfD4, as needed. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, media studies or related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • A minimum of 10 (Ten) years of experience in the field of communications, public relations, media relations, preferably in a sustainable development context or with a focus on financing for sustainable development. • Previous work experiences at the United Nations or another international organization in particular preparing content for member state delegations and supporting preparation of international conferences is desirable. • Excellent interpersonal, communication and drafting skills. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language 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.