CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS AND SPOKESPERSON, UN-HABITAT, (Fixed-Term Appointment Limited)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. UN-Habitat's Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division is responsible for advancing UN-Habitat’s adequate housing and sustainable urbanization by generating cutting-edge research, data-driven insights, digital innovations and capacity development solutions, while advancing compelling messages, narratives and advocacy collaborating with relevant stakeholders to foster transformative and on-the-ground policy action. The Communications and Advocacy Branch (CAB) catalyze global action for housing land and basic services through compelling messaging, robust advocacy platforms, and building multi-stakeholder coalitions to mobilize political will, inspire widespread citizen action, and ensure the housing and urban agendas are prioritized at every level of policy making. The Branch also leads implementation of Human Rights and Social Inclusion mainstreaming and initiatives across UN-Habitat’s programming. The Division leads the preparation of the World Urban Forum every two years, established by the UN General Assembly in 2001 as a global platform convening experts and stakeholders on sustainable urban development. The Branch backstops the World Urban Forum (WUF) as a premier conference on housing and sustainable urban development and UN-Habitat’s largest platform for stakeholder consultation, This is a Fixed-Term Limited (FTL) position. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff, UN-Habitat and the overall supervision of the Executive Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Branch under their supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Branch, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co‑ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and organization, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate. Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Branch on communications and advocacy, and stakeholder engagement and human rights and social inclusion, under his/her responsibility, and co‑ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Branch and related collaboration with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system. Assists in preparing the work programme of the Branch and Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Branch, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, and preparation of inputs for results‑based budgeting. •  Co‑ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentations to intergovernmental bodies and other policy‑making organs, as appropriate, and reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Branch maintain high‑quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data, and ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Leads communications for UN‑mandated global advocacy platforms including the World Urban Forum, World Habitat Day, World Cities Day and other related initiatives. • Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues including managing the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars. Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions, and represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings, as requested. • Leads team members’ efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data‑driven planning, decision‑making, presentation and reporting, and ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Acts as Spokesperson of UN-Habitat in conducting media interviews and filming opportunities to raise the visibility of UN-Habitat’s achievements and success stories through television, radio, newspapers and relevant digital media outlets. • Leads and coordinates media relations including: Giving on-record and background press briefings and interviews to national and international media; conceptualizing, developing, updating and executing a media strategy and work plan, including utilizing digital and multimedia platforms as part of the strategy; advising Executive Director and senior leadership on media strategy and approach; developing and implementing a system of daily media monitoring and bulletins to meet the needs of UN-Habitat and senior leadership; drafting and issuing press statements and press releases as necessary; establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; arranging interviews and/or background briefings with senior officials and facilitating the daily work of journalists covering the work of UN-Habitat; facilitating media visits; responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of UN-Habitat and/or its leadership; conceptualize and implement timely communication strategies in reaction to various situations. • Oversee the quality and coherence of all communication materials and documents submitted for the Executive Director by serving as the central coordination point for reviewing and clearing drafts from different offices, and, where appropriate, preparing communication directly on behalf of the Executive Director. • Ensures that, in addition to traditional media sources, messages are distributed utilizing digital and social media to disseminate information and engage in digital communications, including such platforms as websites, Facebook, Twitter and emerging interactive platforms. • Liaises with counterparts in the Government and diplomatic community, local authorities, civil society, media associations and other key constituencies to ensure key messages are conveyed and support communications campaigns. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Perform other related duties as assigned. • Recruits staff, including interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates, taking due account of gender parity and geographical balance. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under their supervision and conducts evaluation of staff performance (PAS). Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch and across organizational boundaries.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of communications and advocacy for global development. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly. Interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements. Does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, Inspiring others to pursue that same direction. Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public administration, social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Not available.

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in leading and managing communications and advocacy functions, or related field is required. A minimum of seven (7) years of experience delivering strategic communications and media initiatives and results is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing and leading a team of at least six (6) staff members at the professional level is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in mobilizing and partnering with major groups and stakeholders is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in leading human rights and social inclusion initiatives and programs is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in leading global advocacy campaigns for policy action is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary- General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. When completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2026 are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.