Communications for Energy in Displacement Settings

The Global Platform for Action for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Situations of Displacement (GPA) was established to enable increased access to sustainable energy solutions in displacement settings. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal 7, the GPA is guided by the vision that: “every person affected by conflict or natural disaster has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy services by 2030.” Its mission is to equip all stakeholders with the capacity to mainstream sustainable energy solutions into programming and implementation, with the goal of delivering improved protection, dignity, and energy related social, environmental, and economic benefits to displaced people. The supporting members are facilitating a community of practice of over 300 members in five thematic working areas that address current challenges and barriers to achieving access to sustainable energy for displaced people, namely: coordination and planning, policy and advocacy, innovative financing, technical expertise and capacity building, and data. The process is guided by a steering group consisting of members from the UNITAR, UNHCR, IOM, GIZ, WFP, FAO, Chatham House, Practical Action, UNDP, the Clean Cooking Alliance, Mercy Corps, SNV, MECS, ILF and Sustainable Energy for All. The Coordination Unit of the GPA is housed at UNITAR, within the Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit (PTPU).

The GPA initiative is contributing to strengthening long-term protection of refugee, internally displaced and local host communities through increased energy efficiency and increased access to renewable energy sources. It recognises that the use of renewable energy technologies in humanitarian response settings is not so much a question of access to technology but of an integrated policy approach bringing together all relevant stakeholders, such as governments and local communities of host countries, international humanitarian organizations, refugee communities as well as private sector providers of resources, knowledge and technology.

Under the supervision of the Specialist, within the Peacekeeping Training Programme Unit, the trainee will support critical communication activities of the GPA team.

1. Assist the Social Media Management with social media outreach and engagement on Twitter and LinkedIn.
   • Research, compile, draft, edit and manage social media content, often under tight deadlines
   • Assist in developing simple visual products for social media platforms (quote cards, GIFs, posters, banners, etc.);
   • Assist with social media planning and scheduling using tools like Microsoft Excel, Trello, Hootsuite, Buffer, and native social platform publishing tools
   • Prepare internal summaries, reports and support external presentations
2. Support implementation of communication, reporting activities and strategies including strengthening internal communications, broadening public outreach, establishing GPA brand through promoting its Steering Group members and other partners.
   • Assist with events organization, drafting and editing materials such as guides, factsheets, and reports.
   • Assist in the preparation of high-level events such as UNGA, COP27-28, Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks (HNPW), etc.
   • Support coordination and production of visibility and multimedia material, such as posters and flyers
   • Update information on the GPA website, including events page, career pages, news stories, etc.
3. Support the general administrative functions of the GPA team on budgeting, procurement, travel, documents preparation for MoU, bi-lateral or multi-lateral agreement between parties, contractual procedures for human resources, etc.
   • Arrange appointments/meetings both internal and external
   • Attend meetings/events as a rapporteur, take notes and prepare meeting minutes
   • Facilitate implementation of Personnel administrative formalities and processing of documents in relation to official travels, leaves and movements of staff. Support staff members with processing personnel-related documentation
   • Assist in conducting procurement formalities to obtain required services according UNITAR rules and guidelines
   • Draft routine correspondence, memoranda, press release and reports.
   • Provide support with translation in English to French or vice-versa for reports, if necessary, briefing papers, policy documents, and others for wider understanding of the progress in the sector and energy activities.
4. Undertake any other tasks assigned.

• Regular contents for the social media channels are produced, logged and published.
• Social media channels are active and producing quality performance.
• New audiences are engaged in the work of the GPA through social media promotion and other communication activities.
• Assigned tasks on preparing reports, briefing papers, and other documents are completed.

• Quality submission of deliverables.
• Activities implemented with a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism of the trainee, and contributing to an increase in the professional image of the Institute.

After the assignment the trainee should be able to:

• Manage, monitor, and analyse social media accounts on several platforms
• Edit and curate organizational website pages
• Draft reports and correspondence for global level audience
• Work independently and take initiative
• Work in a multicultural environment

Educational background:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Communications, Journalism, Political Sciences, Public Information, International Relations, Humanitarian Action, Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Energy or other related fields; or an undergraduate degree in a similar relevant field, from an accredited and recognised academic institution is required.
• Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate degree or be a recent graduate with the qualifications listed above (if selected, they must commence the traineeship within two years of graduation).
• Be able to commit to full-time work, for a period of 6 months.

Technical competence:

• Confident in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Comfortable with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro)
• Understanding of website backend management (CMS, WordPress, etc.)
• Experience in social media management tools (Trello, Hootsuite, Buffer, etc.)
• Knowledge of video/animation editing software (Powtoon, VideoScribe, or similar)

Languages: A high standard in both oral and written English are required. Knowledge of French or another United Nations official language is an asset.

• Have demonstrated experience with communications and social media management.
• Expertise with social media trends, graphic design tools, creative works, political and cultural awareness.
• Have demonstrated interest in the core work of the GPA (energy access in displacement settings).