JOB DESCRIPTION

Result of Service
The consultant will produce strategic guidelines informed by external best practices, technical assessment papers and guidance materials with training and capacity-building recommendations. In the last phase, the consultant will hold a series of consultations. All deliverables should include visuals and graphics as much as possible for compelling and easily absorbed content. Over a period of twelve months, the full-time consultant will conduct this work in four main phases. Phase 1: Conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of peacekeeping’s digital communication efforts during the migration, using external metrics and contemporary techniques to provide advice on website structure, content effectiveness, audience engagement patterns and editorial workflows. The assessment should be informed by holistic data analytics, platform performance insights, and consultations with colleagues at HQ and in the field. Phase 2: Develop strategic guidelines to optimize website content and digital communications. These guidelines will focus on improving user experience, fostering deeper audience engagement, and reinforcing the digital presence of peacekeeping operations—all with an emphasis on cost-effectiveness and alignment with industry best practices during the completion of the web migration. These guidelines will also include expert advice on impact-driven communications, taking into account new social listening tools, effective use of AI-driven storytelling, and other emerging trends in digital engagement. Phase 3: Advise on approaches to enhance internal capacity for strategic digital communications by recommending training priorities and other integrated knowledge-sharing mechanisms. As part of this effort, the consultant will conduct a mapping exercise to identify existing and available resources within the UN system and its external partners that meet the needs and requirement of the Department. Based on the findings, and as needed, the consultant will develop outlines for training modules or shorter lessons to address the gaps identified through the technical assessment. Phase 4: Provide expert advisory and technical support to the Strategic Communications Section in the Department of Peace Operations to support the peacekeeping missions to strengthen digital communications strategies and implementation during the migration period. This support will be guided by the consultant’s work in earlier phases, strategic guidelines, and training recommendations, ensuring that peacekeeping operations can effectively leverage digital tools, keep pace with developing technologies such as the use of AI-driven applications, enhance targeted outreach and marketing, and improve engagement with key audiences and key constituent communities.

Work Location
Hybrid

Expected duration
12 months

Duties and Responsibilities
The objective of the consultancy is to provide expert, technical and modern industry standard advice and guidance to the Strategic Communications Section in the Department of Peace Operations on complex migration issues that will enhance the structure, content and impact of the UN Peacekeeping website, its editorial content and digital outputs. The consultant will help to assess the current website’s effectiveness based on user experience evaluation and performance metrics, identify gaps, and work with the team to propose a clear, technically accurate roadmap for optimizing the website under the new and complex content management system. The consultant will provide guidance on optimizing content strategy specific to peacekeeping and in general, advise on digital editorial processes, and assess and recommend audience-driven engagement techniques. They will evaluate existing workflows using external, industry standard metrics, recommend improvements aligned with contemporary best practices, and propose cost-effective solutions for content governance and editorial oversight. Additionally, they will advise on methods to streamline content creation and enhance cross-platform storytelling. These recommendations will help take advantage of the opportunities provided by migration and establish a more fit-for-purpose, strategic, efficient, and sustainable approach to managing peacekeeping’s digital presence at HQ and in the field.

Qualifications/special skills
• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field is required. • A minimum of 7 years of established expertise in leading comprehensive assessments and strategic reviews of websites and advising on the development of editorial and web content with international organizations is required. • In depth understanding of UN peacekeeping and the information required by Member States to support mandate renewals, budgeting processes, and other considerations is required. • Experience providing strategic advice on the development of digital and traditional communications materials, reports, briefings, and presentations for UN Member States and leading collaborative processes between UNHQ and field missions is required. • Experience in advising on the design and delivery of trainings is required. • Proven ability to conceptualize and guide the development of engaging editorial content designed for diverse channels and audiences; strong writing and editing skills with a proven ability to manage complex editorial projects in a fast-paced international environment is required. • Knowledge of contemporary technological advances, including the application of AI technologies is desirable. • Demonstrated advisory skills, with the ability to structure timelines, provide strategic direction on deliverables, coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders and track progress effectively is required. • A strong publication record is desirable. • Knowledge and understanding of UN peacekeeping missions is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information
Not available.

No Fee
THE 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements