Executive Communications and Content Specialist, Office of the Executive Director (OED), New York, P-3

The Position:

The Executive Communications and Content Specialist is located in the Office of the Executive Director (OED) and is a member of the Strategic Leadership Communications Unit.

The Specialist is responsible for contributing to executive content and for developing compelling executive content and translating the Executive Director’s priorities, engagements and ideas, and those of Senior Leadership as appropriate, into narratives and communications products for diverse external audiences and platforms. The Specialist identifies and implements measures to increase the visibility of the Executive Director and Senior Leadership across owned, earned and partner channels. The position combines strong writing and editorial skills with an understanding of contemporary social media, digital storytelling and executive communications.

Reporting to the Chief, Executive Communications, the Specialist works closely with the Executive Director’s immediate team, Senior Leadership and colleagues across UNFPA to develop original executive narratives, thought leadership content and editorial products that position Executive Leadership and translate institutional priorities into compelling public narratives across multiple communications platforms .

This position also works closely with relevant corporate communications, technical, policy, regional and external relations functions across UNFPA to ensure coherence between executive positioning and broader institutional communications, and to amplify executive and senior leadership content across corporate, regional and country office channels.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

The Executive Communications and Content Specialist develops high-quality written, editorial and digital content that strengthens the Executive Director’s voice, increases the visibility of Executive and Senior Leadership across channels and advances UNFPA’s strategic priorities. In doing so, the Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of the executive communication strategy..

The Specialist transforms complex policy issues, technical evidence, programme results and field experience into accessible and compelling content, including opinion pieces, articles, blogs, executive stories, video scripts, social media narratives, development of executive communications campaigns and other audience-focused communications products.

The position contributes to the Executive Director's overall executive communications and thought leadership strategy by developing integrated editorial content that is subsequently adapted for speeches, opinion pieces, digital platforms, executive correspondence, multimedia products and social media.  The position also supports the digital presence of other members of Senior Leadership as required, identifying opportunities, developing narratives and executive communications campaigns and ensuring that content across platforms is timely, authentic, engaging and aligned with broader executive messaging.

Working under the strategic direction of the Chief, Executive Communications, the Specialist contributes to a forward-looking editorial pipeline and ensures that the Executive Director’s engagements, missions and priorities generate strong and reusable content across multiple formats.

You would be responsible for:

A. Executive Content Development and storytelling

• Research, conceptualize, write and edit high-quality executive communications content, including opinion pieces, articles, blogs, executive messages, video scripts, executive communications campaign narratives and other written and digital content.
• Develop original content ideas that translate the Executive Director’s priorities and UNFPA’s work into compelling stories for global audiences.
• Transform complex policy, technical, humanitarian and programme issues into accessible, engaging and audience-appropriate narratives.
• Draw on UNFPA research, data, programme evidence and field experience to develop credible and compelling executive content.
• Coordinate with technical experts, programme colleagues, partners and other relevant contributors to identify evidence, stories and perspectives for executive communications.
• Develop narrative concepts and content packages around major Executive Director missions, high-level events, institutional priorities and international moments.
• Adapt content across formats, ensuring that an Executive Director speech, mission, field visit, report or policy initiative can generate appropriate articles, digital stories, social media narratives and multimedia content.
• Support the development of the Executive Director’s authentic and consistent voice across written and digital communications, and promote coherence with the voice and positioning of other members of Senior Leadership.
• Develop content that profiles the engagements, expertise and thought leadership of Senior Leadership, in line with the Executive Leadership and Senior Leadership Communication Strategy.
• Contribute editorial support to other executive communications products, as required.
• Develop narrative packages before, during and after Executive Director missions to maximize the strategic value and long-term visibility of executive engagements.

B. Executive Editorial Strategy and Digital Content 

• Develop and implement the editorial approach for the Executive Director’s social media presence and, as required, the digital presence of other members of Senior Leadership, under the overall direction of the Chief, Executive Communications.
• Develop integrated executive editorial narratives and content packages that can be adapted across speeches, thought leadership, digital communications, multimedia products and social media..
• Maintain a forward-looking editorial plan aligned with the Executive Director’s schedule, missions, major international events, organizational priorities and emerging issues.
• Identify opportunities to translate speeches, opinion pieces, reports, research and programme results into engaging social media narratives and platform-appropriate content.
• Develop original editorial concepts, multimedia storylines, digital narratives and audience-focused communications products that can be adapted for multiple platforms. .
• Write and edit executive digital content, editorial features, executive messaging, executive communications campaign narratives and platform-adapted content.
• Ensure coherence of executive voice, narrative and messaging across social media platforms while adapting content to different audiences and platform conventions.
• Identify and implement measures to increase the visibility and reach of the Executive Director and Senior Leadership across existing and emerging digital channels, including professional platforms such as LinkedIn.
• Coordinate the amplification of executive and senior leadership content through UNFPA corporate, regional and country office channels, as well as partner and United Nations system platforms.
• Work with the Strategic Communication Team to translate editorial concepts into visual, video and platform-native products.
• Review audience engagement, digital performance and editorial impact to continuously strengthen executive communications. 

C. Thought Leadership Content

• Support the identification and development of thought leadership opportunities for the Executive Director and, where relevant, other members of Senior Leadership.
• Research and draft opinion pieces, articles, essays, blogs and other authored content for external platforms and publications.
• Develop content concepts that connect UNFPA’s mandate and evidence with emerging global debates and policy discussions.
• Work with technical and policy teams to identify research, evidence, data and field insights that can be translated into executive thought leadership.
• Adapt thought leadership content for different audiences and formats, including digital platforms and social media.
• Monitor relevant global conversations and identify timely opportunities for executive commentary and content.
• Identify high-visibility external platforms, publications and speaking opportunities that strengthen the positioning and visibility of Executive Leadership.
• Identify opportunities to position the Executive Director as a leading voice on global population, demographic resilience, gender equality and women's health.
• Develop executive editorial series around major policy priorities and international debates.
• Translate research, evidence and programme results into compelling executive thought leadership.

D. Executive Communications Support

• Develop executive messaging packages around priority initiatives.
• Support preparation of executive correspondence.
• Prepare briefing narratives and key messages.
• Develop executive communication toolkits.
• Ensure consistency across speeches, articles, interviews, opinion pieces and digital content.

E. Mission, Event and  Executive Communications Campaign Content

• Develop integrated content plans for Executive Director missions, Senior Leadership engagements as required, major international events and priority campaigns.
• Research destinations, issues, partners and programme results to identify strong narrative angles and storytelling opportunities in advance of missions and engagements.
• Develop storylines, interview questions, video concepts, scripts and social media packages for high-level engagements.
• Produce rapid-turnaround written and digital content during major events and missions.
• Ensure that content generated through missions and events is effectively repurposed and sustained beyond the immediate engagement.

F. Editorial Coordination and Content Management

• Maintain an executive editorial pipeline and track content opportunities, deadlines and production requirements.
• Coordinate inputs from technical, policy, regional and country office colleagues for executive content products.
• Research and fact-check content, ensuring accuracy, appropriate sourcing and compliance with UNFPA and United Nations editorial standards.
• Maintain content resources, including key narratives, evidence, data, stories and reusable editorial materials.
• Work closely with the Strategic Leadership Communications team to ensure alignment between speeches, thought leadership, social media and other executive communications.
• Monitor the visibility, reach and engagement of executive and senior leadership content across channels, and recommend measures to strengthen executive visibility and channel performance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of editorial processes, content planning and digital storytelling.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, digital media, marketing, international relations, political or social sciences, or a related field;  experience. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in communications, journalism, editorial content development or executive/strategic communications, including demonstrated experience in writing and editing high-quality content for senior or executive audiences (e.g. op-eds, speeches, thought-leadership pieces or long-form narrative).
• Demonstrated experience producing executive communications, long-form editorial content, speeches, thought leadership articles, opinion pieces, strategic communications or equivalent products for senior leaders.
• Proven experience developing and managing social media and digital content, including for senior principals or high-profile institutional accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy, technical or programmatic material into accessible, audience-focused narratives.
• Experience working in or with the UN system, an international organisation or a comparable multilateral or advocacy environment (desirable).
• Familiarity with UNFPA's mandate - ICPD, SRHR, gender equality, demographic resilience - is an asset.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Strong editorial and storytelling ability,
• Executive storytelling,
• Editorial strategy,
• Thought leadership content development,
• Executive positioning,
• Audience-centred communications,
• Ability to distill complex material for diverse audiences,
• Sound editorial judgement and news sense,
• Ability to work at pace under executive-level time pressures. 

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.