Communications Consultant (Sport Section)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Social and Human Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : 4 months initial, extendable upon satisfactory performance 

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 16-APR-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW

Under the overall authority of the Chief of Section for Sport and the direct supervision of the Sport Section’s Programme Specialist, the consultant will work to enhance the visibility of UNESCO’s Fit for Life Global Sport Alliance, a multi-sector framework that mobilizes collective action and investment to increase participation in safe, inclusive, and equitable sport and physical education. This work will include communications around Fit for Life’s core priorities, activities, and events. 

It will also include targeted communications around the first edition of Fit for Life’s Sport Leadership Programme, launching in 2025 in AlUla (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). This programme aims at upskilling and enhancing the employability of young people through sports-based masterclasses, youth-led community sport projects, and local work placements. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Content creation & editorial review: Support the drafting, editing, and regular update process for communications materials, including by leading a review and overhaul of sport-related webpages and programme flyers, revising and updating content to reflect current priorities and data. 
   
• Document development: Assist in the production of internal and external outreach tools and materials, including web news articles, talking points, speeches, flyers, visual poster designs, PowerPoint slides, and social media posts, to raise awareness and promote a clearer understanding of UNESCO’s work in sport.
   
• Communications strategy & planning: Support the development and implementation of a specific communications package and local outreach strategy for the Fit for Life pilot in AlUla, coordinating and scheduling social media content, web stories, and other assets in liaison with UNESCO's Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE).
   
• Content management & curation: Support the production of and coordination of communications content in AlUla, including stories, videos, and photographs showcasing programme activities and community impact. Develop and manage a roster of external content producers (photographers, videographers, writers, etc.) who align with UNESCO quality standards.
   
• Promotion of campaigns & events: Enhance the visibility of and engagement with UNESCO's Fit for Life Global Sport Alliance, including through the implementation of social media campaigns and the promotion of major events organized by the Sport Section.
   
• Internal coordination & engagement: Act as the communications focal point for the Sport Section, coordinating closely with the SHS communications team, CPE, external content producers, and field office colleagues to increase awareness of the Sport Section’s activities and projects and ensure cohesive messaging across platforms and teams, including through knowledge management efforts.
   
• Brand management: Ensure partner materials consistently adhere to UNESCO and Fit for Life visual guidelines and support the oversight of Fit for Life wordmark use by external partners.

The completion of the above duties will require close collaboration with and the incorporation of feedback from the Sport Section team, the Director for Social Policies, and other relevant SHS colleagues.

The consultant shall be full-time and home-based, with occasional presence in the office optional.

Please note that, if home-based for part or all of the duration of the assignment, candidates should be based in a location with no more than two hours of time difference with UNESCO HQ (Paris, CET).
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related fields. 
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in a communications-related field, preferably at the international level.
• Previous working experience in creating and editing written and visual content for diverse audiences.

Skills/Competencies

• Ability to synthesize information from different sources and streamline narratives to make them digestible to external / non-specialized audiences.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills, including ability to create, edit and present information in clear and presentable formats.
• Excellent knowledge of social media and photo / video / layout design software such as Canva, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, PowerPoint, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multicultural environments and across time zones with external and internal partners and contractors.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English and French (written and spoken). 
• Knowledge of Arabic would be considered an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All documents should be provided in English, and applications must be received no later than 16 April 2025 (Midnight Paris time) to be considered. 

The application package must include:

1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A short cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment and an indication of the approach you would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO
3. A sample of previous visual work, such as designed infographics, flyers, or other relevant communications materials.
4. A financial proposal, quoted in USD and expressed on a monthly basis

UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. In evaluating applications, attention will focus first and foremost on technical elements. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organization the best value for money. 

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

Footer