Result of Service
The Consultant will support UNEP’s EcoAdvance project team in strengthening communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement for the Environmental Alliance of America (AAA). This will include positioning the AAA before key audiences across Latin America and the Caribbean - including but not limited to Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, and Peru - by clearly articulating and “selling” its value proposition and raising visibility of its achievements. The Consultant will develop targeted communication materials and tools, including social media content, visuals, videos, and potentially an avatar/mascot, to enhance recognition of the Environmental Label of America and encourage stakeholder participation. Through tailored messaging, outreach campaigns, and facilitation of communication among private sector actors, especially manufacturers, retailers, sustainability consultancies, consumers, the Consultant will contribute to increasing knowledge on the certification process for companies seeking the Environmental Seal of America. By managing strategic communication, [LM1.1]the Consultant will help establish the Seal as a credible, visible, and operational instrument for sustainable trade throughout the region.
Duties and Responsibilities
As the UN's leading environmental entity, UNEP, tackles environmental problems at global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental political consensus, keeping the global environment under review, and informing governments and the international community of emerging issues for their action. The UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2026–2028 underscores the urgency of addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste through systemic transformation of economic and social systems, including patterns of consumption and production. This consultancy is part of the project "Greening supply and demand: Promoting Ecolabels and Sustainable Public Procurement for climate and biodiversity protection (Eco-Advance)." The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), through the International Climate Initiative. One of the objectives of the project is to assist the regional environmental labeling program called the Environmental Alliance of America (referred to as Alianza Ambiental de América or "the Alliance, AAA"), a regional initiative of Latin American countries that strives to create a regional ecolabel known as the Environmental label of America. The initiative aims to develop common criteria for products, processes, and services among countries and increase regional recognition and awareness of sustainable products and services. A key challenge for the initiative is the limited visibility, awareness, and engagement of private sector actors both in the development of the Environmental Label of America and in its adoption, driven by insufficient access to clear, targeted information on participation mechanisms, value proposition, and market benefits. Another key audience for the AAA are consumer groups. This consultancy will therefore play a pivotal role in designing and implementing communication strategies that strengthen stakeholder engagement across both dimensions: raising awareness and understanding of the label and facilitating participation in its development, and promoting recognition, trust, and uptake among companies as future adopters. By developing compelling narratives, targeted outreach materials, and coordinated visibility efforts, the consultancy will help position the Environmental Label of America as a credible, regionally relevant, and widely supported instrument for sustainable trade. Achieving this will represent a critical milestone within the EcoAdvance project and a significant step toward advancing circular and resource-efficient economies in the region. The consultancy will support AAA in: - Clarifying its strategic positioning, role, and value proposition within the regional eco-labelling and quality infrastructure ecosystem; - Establishing a shared narrative and messaging architecture that can be consistently applied across countries and partners, for at least 2 years - Developing practical communication guidance and outreach materials to support awareness, engagement, and understanding of the Environmental Label of America and its certification pathways. - Implementing communication activities targeting the Environmental Label of America priority audiences. The work will be structured around the following interrelated components: 1. Strategic Communication Planning and Foundational Analysis Development of a comprehensive strategic communication framework for AAA, grounded in an evidence-based assessment of audiences, perceptions, and communication gaps. This includes mapping key audiences and channels, defining AAA’s core messages and value proposition, identifying regional visibility and credibility challenges, and setting the strategic direction to guide future communication materials and initiatives across the region. 2. Strategic Narrative and Communication Structuring Development of a coherent strategic narrative and messaging architecture that translates technical eco-labelling concepts into clear and accessible language for different audiences. This component will ensure consistency in tone, positioning, and messaging across institutional, commercial, and public-facing contexts, while allowing for adaptation to different countries, sectors, and stakeholder needs. 3. Communication Tools, Outreach Package and Activation Guidance Development of a consolidated set of communication tools, templates, and guidance designed to support awareness, stakeholder engagement, and understanding of the Environmental Label of America and its certification process. This includes the creation of a tailored outreach package and practical guidance that enables AAA and its partners to independently and coherently communicate about the label. Execution of part of communication campaigns by the consultant.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, environmental sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. - A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. - A minimum (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, or media relations, preferably in an international setting is required - Previous experience is producing/managing social media is required. - Demonstrated experience in multimedia content production, website management, and provision of strategic communications input - Working experience in sustainability and development content is desirable. - Excellent written and oral communication skills.
