[Hiring] Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist @United Nations Office for Project Services

Role Description

This position is co-located within the Communications and Partnerships & Development teams, with a focus on strengthening how SEforALL tells its story to diverse global audiences.

Key areas of responsibility

• Position sustainable energy as the foundation of climate and development action: Shape and advance a compelling narrative that positions sustainable energy as the enabler of progress on climate, health, jobs, gender equality and economic growth, and shift how it is understood in the global discourse.
• Move decision-makers from commitments to implementation: Design and deliver targeted communications that help governments, institutions, and financiers turn pledges into concrete policies, investments, commitments and results.
• Strengthen country-level ownership and impact visibility: Elevate locally led success stories and work with country partners to amplify them, building the evidence, credibility and political momentum for replication and scale.
• Mobilize funding and partnerships at scale: Use communications to build credibility, visibility and urgency around SEforALL's work, supporting fundraising and strategic partnerships that unlock public and private finance.

Role Purpose

The Strategic Communications and Partnerships Specialist will lead the development of human-centred storytelling that brings SEforALL's mission, programmes and impact to life for diverse global audiences. The Specialist will translate complex energy, climate and development issues into clear, engaging narratives that demonstrate tangible impact, elevate the voices of beneficiaries and partners, and strengthen SEforALL's position as a trusted leader on sustainable energy.

This is a part-time retainer role, with an expected commitment of up to 12 days per month on average over 12 months.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Storytelling and Content Development: Lead the build-out of SEforALL's new storytelling platform, producing narrative content that centres on beneficiaries and partners.
• Advocacy and Strategic Communications: Craft messaging for leadership, international events and global campaigns that advances advocacy and influences policy agendas.
• Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement: Partner with leadership to articulate SEforALL's value proposition and mobilise resources and partnerships.
• Impact Reporting and Insights: Gather and synthesise qualitative and quantitative impact data from SEforALL convenings, and translate the findings into tailored messaging for internal stakeholders and external funders.

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, business studies, public policy, climate, sustainable energy or related fields is required.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, business studies, public policy, climate, sustainable energy or related fields with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communications including messaging, creating compelling narratives, speech writing, writing articles, producing complex communications products that incorporate sound structure, clarity, logic and persuasion is required.
• Experience in the climate, sustainable energy or development sector is required.

Desired Experience

• Experience in translating complex technical and policy issues into clear, compelling, and accessible content, including speeches, op-eds, reports, briefs, and digital content is desirable.
• Proven ability to engage diverse governments, donors, private sector, civil society and media with tailored and persuasive messaging is desirable.
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations is desirable.

Language Requirements

• English: Fluent (Required)
• French: Intermediate (Desirable)
• Spanish: Intermediate (Desirable)
• Arabic: Intermediate (Desirable)
• Chinese, Mandarin: Intermediate (Desirable)
• Russian: Intermediate (Desirable)

Skills

• Content Development
• Donor Engagement
• Editing
• Messaging
• Project Management
• Quality Assurance
• Strategic Communications
• Writing

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies.
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit.
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner.