The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) delivers on its mandate to strengthen the capacities of individuals, institutions and countries through training, capacity development, applied research and related activities. Annually, the Institute organizes over 1400 learning and knowledge-sharing events benefiting close to 550,000 beneficiaries all around the world.

The position of Individual Contractor – digital communication and social media - is located in the Office of the Executive Director. Under the supervision of the Strategic Communications Adviser, the Individual Contractor will be supporting the delivery of the Institute’s communications strategy. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for creating dynamic and engaging social media and digital content and ensures its consistency. He/she provides support to all programme units in implementing various communication activities, coordinate different campaigns and implement the UNITAR’s communications strategy from social media and digital communication side.

The Contractor will also be accountable for facilitating smooth information flow among various departments of the Institute, and for supporting the planning and implementation of a range of internal training and events.

Under the supervision of the Strategic Communications Adviser, the incumbent will:

Strategic Planning and Policy Development

• Lead the implementation and iterative refinement of UNITAR’s digital communication strategy and social media policy.
• Review baseline engagement across digital platforms and propose targeted interventions to enhance visibility and relevance.
• Advise on emerging platforms (e.g., TikTok, Threads, Bluesky) and digital innovations to reach youth and underserved groups.

Content Creation and Campaign Management

• Develop inclusive, engaging, and visually compelling multimedia content (videos, infographics, animations, human-interest stories).
• Manage an editorial calendar aligned with UNITAR’s programmatic priorities.
• Produce and edit content for high-visibility campaigns, observances, and events, ensuring consistency with the UNITAR brand and values.

Platform Management and Community Engagement

• Manage and monitor day-to-day operations of social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook).
• Facilitate real-time engagement, community building, and proactive responses to trends and audience feedback.
• Coordinate with partners, influencers, and UN Communications Groups to amplify UNITAR messaging.

Social Listening and Reputational Management

• Monitor online conversations and sentiment across social media platforms and relevant digital channels to identify emerging issues, misinformation, public concerns, and opportunities related to the organization’s mandate.
• Conduct reputational risk assessments by analysing trends, spikes in engagement, or negative sentiment, and preparing timely briefings for senior management or communications teams to support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate responses to reputational risks, including recommending mitigation actions, drafting aligned key messages, escalating high-risk issues per internal communication protocols, and ensuring adherence to UNITAR communication and branding standards.

Digital Accessibility and Inclusion

• Ensure all digital content and platforms comply with the UN Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and disability-inclusive standards.
• Promote gender-responsive and culturally inclusive storytelling.

Analytics, Reporting, and Optimization

• Use digital analytics tools (e.g., Meta Business Suite, Google Analytics) to generate performance dashboards and insights.
• Track and report on KPIs (reach, engagement, conversions) and adjust tactics accordingly.

Email Marketing and Website Content Management

• Manage and optimize segmented mailing lists; draft and disseminate newsletters, course announcements, and surveys using email marketing tools (e.g., Mailjet).
• Review web articles submitted by programme units, ensure consistency and quality of articles.
• Maintain and update UNITAR’s corporate website and landing pages, ensuring UX and accessibility best practices.

Event Support and Visual Production

• Provide event-based communications support including live social media coverage, digital promotion, registration support, and post-event reporting.
• Photograph, film, and edit materials from events or field activities as needed.

Capacity Building

• Deliver tailored training sessions on digital tools, inclusive communications, and platform management for UNITAR personnel and collaborators.

Other tasks

• Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

• Staff and collaborators in the Office of the Executive Director and in various programme units and offices in order to deliver and assist in delivering communication services and products.
• Staff and collaborators of other UN agencies and international organizations to collaborate and promote UNITAR content and campaigns.
• Vendors and service providers of communication services that are used by UNITAR.
• Administration and Procurement Section to coordinate the procurement process for communication and social media related services and products.

• Social media channels audit review done, recommendations provided.
• Social media channels are managed and monitored on a daily basis.
• Increase in engagement, followership and influence of UNITAR’s social media accounts.
• Reputational risks identified and mitigated.
• Increase of global social media campaigns.
• Improvement in consistency of social media content.
• Communication effectiveness report issued, recommendations proposed.
• Assistance given to all programme units in social media management, website management, online course announcement and other relevant communication tasks.
• All tasks performed in a professional manner, within a set schedule and under budget.

Professionalism

• Excellent knowledge in the field of corporate social media management, digital communication, theories and tools.
• Experience in creating multimedia content for social media and other digital channels, including campaign visuals and videos.
• Experience in managing social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) for an organization and excellent knowledge on challenges and opportunities in managing corporate social media channels.
• Experience and knowledge in social media and web analytics, has ability to define relevant key performance indicators, to collect data, issue reports and give advice for improvement.
• Experience and knowledge in creating and issuing html-based e-newsletters using email marketing platform, and in using email analytics, has ability to report and give advice for improvement.
• Experience in creating communication campaigns for different audiences, including messaging and visuals, and in measuring the impact of the campaign.

Planning & Organizing

• Excellent planning and organizational skills and ability to prioritize own work, delivering results and quality work, including when working under pressure.

Commitment to continuous learning

• Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of social media, digital communication and new technologies. Ability to adapt new trends and development to the organizational context.

Communications

• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentation), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents, such as social media posts, concept note, blogs, web articles, training materials and presentations.
• Ability to evaluate information needs and to provide appropriate and targeted information accordingly.

Technology awareness

• Fully proficient in computer skills, with ability to use a variety of software and applications. For this post, the knowledge of social media platforms (twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Yammer/Engage), Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud (photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, etc.,), social media management and listening platform (such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social), email marketing tool (such as Mailjet or Brevo), social media content planning tool (Trello), web analytics tool (such as Google analytics) is required.

Teamwork

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to deal effectively with multiple constituencies and to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.