This position plays a critical role in implementing IUCN’s corporate communications strategy through its non-media corporate communications channels, brand oversight and coordination of various communications efforts across the Union and with external partners. Channels under the responsibility of this position include the IUCN website, IUCN corporate social media platforms and communications around major IUCN events such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress. It is also the point for maintaining IUCN’s brand cohesion and providing strategic advice on updates to IUCN’s various sub-brands.
The position requires liaising with IUCN and unit leadership to develop cohesive communications strategies and coordinated implementation, advising on and responding to internal enquiries not related to media and leading or overseeing communications task forces as needed. It also plays a lead role in supporting the Director of Communications in developing, adjusting and adhering to the unit budget and designated communications budgets for major events and partnerships.
Specific Duties And Responsibilities:
Digital communications:
Senior advisor to Director of Communications, include filling in for Director when necessary
Oversee all IUCN digital (non-press) corporate communications channels to ensure corporate strategy is applied and effective across channels
Identify actionable communications opportunities to enhance IUCN’s ability to reach organisational, unit-level and communications objectives
Project management lead for video, digital and print communications products including preparing requests for proposals, managing and negotiating contracts for providers and overseeing the development process from inception to final delivery
Oversee photo and video management
Work together with colleagues responsible for content production within the unit to ensure cohesive content promotion through IUCN’s channels
Lead development of communications KPIs, performance monitoring tools and reporting methods and provide strategic insights to Director based on performance trends and metrics
Identify reputational or other communications or unit-related risks and help develop measures to prevent, mitigate or respond to them
Provide strategic guidance on non-media communications to unit management and communicators to maximise opportunities, increase efficiency and maintain consistency with IUCN corporate strategic objectives
Support Communications Director in preparing, updating and overseeing relevant policies
Brand oversight:
Oversee IUCN corporate branding, logo use, brand consistency and “look and feel” across all communications outputs
Advise units on sub-brand strategy to ensure coherence with corporate brand
Event communications:
Support Director of Communications on preparations for major events.
Oversee permanent and temporary communications staff and budgets, maintain key partnerships
With Event Communications Manager, provide branding and promotion advice to IUCN units participating in external events such as UNFCCC COPs or other high-profile events where IUCN has a presence
Staff Management:
Manage direct reports (Communications Officer for digital and social media, IUCN Webmaster, Event Communications Manager) to ensure professional development, healthy working environment and work-life balance and delivery of individual and unit objectives
Plan, adapt and manage work plans for direct reports to ensure consistency with overall unit objectives, leverage complementary roles within the team and play to the strengths of individual team members in order to deliver optimal results within the constraints of limited budget, time and capacity
Act as liaison with IUCN programme, regional and commission communicators for non-media related projects and issues, including strategic coordination
Budget and Administrative:
Advise and support Director on unit operational budget management
Together with Senior Communications Manager - content and editorial, track unit operational budget day-to-day income and expenses, including oversight of all relevant contracts and time management system transactions with IUCN units and any project income, including guiding unit staff through procedures and ensuring all income and expenses align with priorities set by the Director
Provide guidance to ensure unit processes adhere to IUCN operational and audit procedures
Perform other tasks and assignments as required by the Director
Requirements:
Experience and Education:
At least 12 years of experience in professional communications, with demonstrated success in managing cross-cultural teams and increasing levels of responsibility
Master’s level university degree, in communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other relevant field, or bachelor’s degree with three additional years of relevant experience
Proven success in developing and executing innovative communications strategies, including direct experience in digital, brand management and event communications
Experience managing communications budgets and external contractors for quality delivery and maximum impact within budget
Experience in event marketing a plus
Knowledge and understanding of nature conservation and sustainability issues
Demonstrated success working in a multi-cultural international setting
Communications and Management Skills
Strong strategic and analytical skills, including the ability to identify practical yet impactful ways communications can help the organisation and its subsets reach various objectives
Proven ability to coordinate and motivate diverse teams across varied locations and skills toward common and complementary goals
Ability to develop cohesive communications strategies across multiple channels, with complementary tactics playing to the strategic strength of each channel and its role in overall strategies
Strong command of website, social media and other digital strategy and best practices; advanced PowerPoint skills a plus
Demonstrated understanding of key performance metrics for digital communications and how to use these metrics to enhance communications impact
Ability to assess risks and identify immediate and potential communications crises, develop and analyse options at the pace required and coordinate responses across appropriate channels
Proven project management skills, especially in managing complex internal processes and external communications contractors
Outstanding writing and editing skills; ability to write short, sharp text for website sections and similar
Keen eye for effective video and visual design a plus
Languages:
English – native level; French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.
