Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant

Enhanced visibility, knowledge sharing and organizational learning across the Resident Coordinator system in Latin America and the Caribbean through more systematic regional communications, stronger coordination of the RCO/UNIC Communications Network, improved capture and dissemination of good practices and results, and accessible, high-quality regional knowledge products.

Panama City

2 months with possible extension subject to satisfactory performance, operational requirements, and availability of funds.

The United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean provides strategic and operational support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs) across the region and supports coherence and collaboration across the United Nations development system. The Regional Office also supports regional knowledge exchange, strategic communications and visibility of the Resident Coordinator system; facilitates collaboration among communications professionals across RCOs and United Nations Information Centres (UNICs); and supports the development and dissemination of regional knowledge products, good practices and evidence of results. Against the backdrop of the evolving UN development system and the implementation of UN80 and DCO priorities, the Regional Office seeks to strengthen the systematic capture, packaging and dissemination of knowledge and results emerging from the RC system in Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes supporting coherent regional communications, facilitating exchange across RCOs, strengthening knowledge management, and making regional and country-level experiences more accessible to RCs, RCOs, DCO Headquarters and relevant partners. The Regional Office therefore requires a Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant to provide dedicated support in these areas. Under the supervision of the Senior Regional Coordination Officer/Team Leader and in close collaboration with relevant Regional Office colleagues, DCO Headquarters, RCOs and UNICs, the consultant will undertake the following functions: A. Regional communications and visibility - Support the preparation, editing, formatting and dissemination of high-quality communications and visibility products highlighting the work and results of the Resident Coordinator system in Latin America and the Caribbean. - Draft and edit news items, feature stories, newsletters, briefs, presentations, web content, talking-point inputs and other communications materials based on substantive inputs provided by the Regional Office, RCOs and partners. - Support the development of regional stories demonstrating RC leadership, UNCT collaboration, SDG acceleration and concrete country-level results. - Support the preparation and coordination of regional communications campaigns and products related to major DCO and UN priorities, including UN80 and other corporate initiatives. - Support the Regional Office's digital presence and ensure that communications products are consistent with applicable UN and DCO branding and communications standards. - Provide editorial, formatting and basic visual-design support to regional reports, briefs and other corporate products to improve clarity, accessibility and presentation.   B. RCO/UNIC Communications Network coordination - Provide coordination and secretariat support to the regional network of RCO and UNIC communications colleagues. - Maintain and periodically update the Network's workplan, calendar and agreed priorities. - Organize regular network meetings, including agendas, background materials, presentations, records of decisions and systematic follow-up on agreed actions. - Facilitate the exchange of communications products, tools, approaches, good practices and lessons across RCOs. - Support capacity-development and peer-learning activities for communications colleagues, including sessions with DCO Headquarters, UN entities and relevant external experts. - Identify opportunities for joint regional communications initiatives and facilitate their implementation in collaboration with participating RCOs and UN entities. C. Knowledge management and knowledge products - Support the systematic identification, capture and synthesis of lessons learned, innovations, good practices and replicable approaches emerging from RCOs and UN Country Teams across LAC. - Develop concise knowledge products, including good-practice notes, briefs, summaries, case studies, snapshots and thematic compilations. - Support the production of regional flagship and corporate knowledge products by coordinating inputs, data, photographs and other source material from RCOs. - Maintain an organized and accessible repository of regional communications products, knowledge resources, templates, guidance, reports and relevant corporate materials. - Support the dissemination of knowledge products through appropriate DCO and UN channels and regional networks. - Support peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange among RCOs and identify relevant practices that could be adapted or replicated elsewhere in the region. D. Information, reporting and evidence support - Support the collection and consolidation of information from RCOs for regional communications, knowledge and corporate reporting requirements. - Design and administer simple surveys and information-gathering exercises and consolidate findings into usable summaries, presentations or knowledge products. - Develop simple trackers, matrices and dashboards to facilitate monitoring of communications and knowledge-management activities. - Support the preparation of presentations, visual summaries, infographics and other products that translate regional information into accessible formats for management and other audiences. - Coordinate with relevant Regional Office colleagues to ensure accuracy and consistency of information used in external and internal products.

University degree in communications, journalism, public information, international relations, international development, knowledge management, social sciences or another relevant field is required. A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public information, knowledge management, reporting, programme support or a related field is required. Demonstrated experience producing and editing communications and knowledge products for professional audiences, is required. Experience coordinating networks, communities of practice, multi-country processes or stakeholder groups is desirable. Experience collecting and consolidating information from multiple sources and converting it into clear reports, presentations, briefs or other knowledge products is desirable. Experience with digital communications, content-management tools, visual presentation/design tools, survey tools and collaborative knowledge platforms is desirable. Previous experience with the United Nations, the Resident Coordinator system or international development cooperation is an asset (desirable).

Fluency in English and Spanish, including excellent drafting and editing skills, is required. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an advantage (desirable).

The objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the visibility, coherence, knowledge management and information-sharing functions of DCO LAC, with particular emphasis on: 1. supporting regional communications and visibility products; 2. facilitating the RCO/UNIC Communications Network and related peer exchange; 3. capturing and packaging good practices, lessons learned and results from across the RC system; 4. maintaining accessible regional knowledge resources and repositories; and 5. supporting the production and dissemination of high-quality regional knowledge and communications products.