There is less than a decade to prevent climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards close to a 3 degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts. An increase in global average temperature above 1.5 degrees would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.
2025 marks a pivotal milestone — a decade has passed since the international community adopted the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. While some progress has been made, the world remains far off track from reaching global net-zero by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree goal of the Paris Agreement within reach. Last year, for the first time, the annual average global temperature was 1.5 degrees higher than pre-industrial times. All around the world, climate shocks are intensifying in frequency and ferocity, inflating costs of living, triggering supply-chain disruptions, and devastating lives and livelihoods.
The unprecedented mobilization of civil society groups and young people around the world over recent years, manifested in diverse forms of activism including protests, school strikes, and online and offline campaigns, with increased media reporting. This shows the significant power of mobilization to hold decision-makers in government and business to account for their role in the climate crisis and delivering climate justice.
Against this backdrop, the Secretary-General has called for redoubling of efforts to drive a renewables revolution, as the only way to achieve energy security, climate justice, and keep the world’s 1.5 Celsius goal within reach. The United Nations calls on countries to submit well in advance of COP 30, a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that is aligned with the 1.5°C limit, as agreed at COP28, covering all emissions and the whole economy.
In light of COP 29 outcomes and the collaboration with Brazil, CAT strategy on public mobilization and communication will focus on engaging citizens, the private sector, media and civil society, with the full support of the UN system and a special focus on specific and tailored national narratives’ that can support greater ambition on NDCs, especially in G35 countries.
The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS under it's full responsibility.
The Senior Programme Manager will support the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Strategy around public mobilization and communication, working in close coordination with the Department of Global Communications.
Functional Responsibilities :
The responsibilities of the Senior Programme Manager, Mobilization and Communication include:
Public Mobilization Strategy:
Develop and implement an outreach and mobilization strategy to engage key civil society groups and youth communities and networks (e.g., CAN International, 350.org), and faith-based organizations, in collaboration with UNOP and DGC.
Provide external mobilization support at specific meetings and events, including managing, coordinating, and facilitating participation, amplification of key messages in towards achieving targeted objectives.
Cultivate relationships with youth movements and liaise with external partners such as civil society groups, student movements, and indigenous communities, to position the Secretary-General’s climate priorities among their agendas.
Ensure country strategies leverage public mobilization opportunities (where needed) to advance the Secretary-General’s 2025-26 climate action strategy.
Acquire and analyze information and perspectives from civil society groups and youth movements on operational matters, creating relationships of trust and understanding that underpin effective coordination and collaboration.
Communication Strategy:
Support the development and implementation of a global, cross-sector climate change communications strategy to raise awareness and elevate the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General’s messages on climate change.
Develop speeches and support speechwriters with high-impact climate and sustainability content for Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Assistant Secretary-General speeches.
Provide support for external communication and press engagement for events at key milestone events during UNGA and COP
In collaboration with the Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary General, media teams, DGC, and UNOP
Provide content that DGC can use to draft press releases, factsheets, talking points, and video messages as needed.
Work with DGC, UNOP, and other Executive Office of the Secretary-General units to develop content (blogs, multimedia stories, videos, graphics, and social media updates).
Lead the generation of online content that engages audience segments and leads to measurable action. Decide who, where, and when to disseminate.
Support contributions to the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General’s social media accounts, lead on climate, media, and news monitoring and support internal communication efforts around Secretary-General’s climate priorities
Programme Management
Lead on Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group, developing concepts to increase their effectiveness and maintain engagement.
Support the development of recommendations, briefing notes, key messages, and inputs into speeches for the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Assistant Secretary-General’s engagements with civil society groups and young people with a focus on delivering climate justice and effective NDC mobilization on the ground.
Education/Experience/Language requirements :
Education :
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent), preferably in communications and media, journalism, public relations, any other social science field with seven (7) years of relevant experience. OR
First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) preferably in communications and media, journalism, public relations, any other social science field with nine (9) years of relevant experience.
Work Experience
Relevant experience is defined as professional experience working with different types of media and communications tools.
Minimum three (3) years of experience working on youth programmes and initiatives
Language requirements:
Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian) is an advantage.
