Result of Service
Expected outputs – An annual communication work plan and an integrated editorial and production calendar, updated regularly; – Communication plans, key messages and supporting material for priority initiatives, campaigns and events; – Editorial, media and digital content delivered in line with UPU standards and agreed deadlines; – Content of the revamped corporate website delivered and validated in line with the project timeline; – Monthly reports setting out the services performed and progress against the agreed work plan, together with time sheets.
Duties and Responsibilities
With its 192 member countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. The Communication and Outreach Programme of the Directorate of Administration and Cabinet (DACAB) is responsible for the UPU’s institutional internal and external communications, including editorial production, media relations, digital channels, outreach campaigns and events, and the UPU brand and visual identity. Over the 2026–2029 period, the programme will focus on communicating the UPU’s strategic priorities to member countries, partners and the wider public, in particular the modernization of the Union’s governance and decision-making, the role of postal networks in cross-border e-commerce, support to the sector in a changing regulatory environment, and the contribution of posts to digital, financial and social inclusion. It will also modernize the UPU’s digital channels, including the corporate website. In this context, the UPU seeks an individual consultant to provide senior communication coordination and advisory services, in order to ensure the coherent planning, coordination and quality of the programme’s communication outputs, to strengthen the consistent application of the UPU brand and visual identity, and to support the modernization of the programme’s digital channels and production workflows. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Coordinator for External Relations and Partnerships, in close collaboration with the members of the Communication and Outreach team. Responsibilities The consultant will be expected to provide the following services: 1. Communication planning, content and media relations (approximately 50% of the time) – Planning and coordination: manage the programme’s annual work plan and the integrated editorial and production calendar; facilitate team planning meetings; follow up on deliverables, deadlines and priorities with contributors; – Strategy and advice: contribute to the UPU communication strategy and develop integrated communication plans for UPU initiatives and campaigns; develop key messages and messaging guidelines; advise internal clients on the communication of their projects; – Editorial content: support the editor expert in the editorial planning and execution of the Union Postale magazine and other corporate publications; draft and edit content, including web articles, feature stories, case studies, briefs and social media content, translating technical postal topics into accessible content for different audiences; – Media relations: draft press releases, coordinate media outreach and responses to media requests, and prepare briefing material and talking points for executive management; – Monitoring and reporting: define and track performance indicators for communication activities and prepare periodic reports. 2. Brand, production and events (approximately 25% of the time) – Brand and visual identity: maintain the consistent application of the UPU brand and visual identity; propose updates to the brand guidelines, templates and brand toolkit if necessary; review visual products for consistency before validation by the programme; – Design, print and multimedia production: manage design, layout and print production requests with the in-house design and print production team, in line with agreed priorities; brief and follow up external suppliers (photographers, videographers, designers, printers); – Campaigns and events: manage the planning and execution of the communication of World Post Day, the International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People and other major UPU events, including concept notes, run-of-show documents, talking points and briefings. 3. Website and digital channels (approximately 25% of the time) – Website project: support the ongoing project to revamp the UPU corporate website and migrate it to a new content management system, in coordination with the website project manager and external providers; follow up on timelines and deliverables; coordinate the collection, simplification and validation of content with contributing directorates; ensure editorial quality control during the testing and launch phases; – Digital content: keep the website and other digital channels up to date and consistent with the UPU editorial standards, tone of voice and brand, and contribute to the governance of web content after launch; – Innovation: support the introduction of AI-assisted and automated workflows (e.g. templates, multilingual layout, subtitling), in line with UPU rules on the use of AI. Competencies - Professionalism: Senior expertise in institutional communication, editorial production and media relations; ability to manage complex projects, including web projects, and to deliver high-quality results against tight deadlines. - Planning and organizing: Sets clear goals and priorities, plans work and production calendars, anticipates risks and uses time efficiently. - Communication: Writes and speaks clearly and effectively, tailors messages to different audiences and translates technical topics into accessible content. - Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues and contributors across directorates and in a multicultural environment and builds consensus with internal and external partners. Job Specific Qualifications The following would be considered assets: – Experience in an international organization, the UN system or the postal sector; – Experience in brand management and in overseeing design, print and multimedia production; – Experience with AI-assisted tools for content production and workflow automation; – Experience with complex website projects and content management systems. Work Experience Minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in communication, public relations or journalism, including experience coordinating communication projects and contributors, is required.
Qualifications/special skills
Education University degree in communication, journalism, public relations or a related field. Minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience in communication, public relations or journalism, including experience coordinating communication projects and contributors, is required.
Additional Information
Type of contract: Consultancy (individual consultant). Offers submitted by companies will not be considered. Duration: Twelve (12) months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Expected start date: January 2027. Workload and location: Full time, on site at the UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland. Candidates do not need to be based in Berne to apply; however, the selected consultant shall be available to work from Berne as of the start of the services. Remuneration: Candidates shall indicate a monthly rate in Swiss francs (CHF), net of VAT. Offers not provided in CHF will be excluded. How to apply: Applications must be sent by e-mail only to RFP-2026-016@upu.int with “RFP-2026-016 – Provision of senior communication coordination and advisory services” as the subject line, by [16 November 2026] at 18.00 CET. Applications received after this deadline, sent to any other e-mail address or submitted through any other channel will not be considered. Applications must include: – A cover letter stating that the candidate has read and accepts the provisions of the call for tenders, including the UPU General Terms and Conditions for the Provision of Services; – Full name and contact details; – A detailed CV, with copies of diplomas and certifications; – A letter of motivation; – At least two professional references, preferably from international organizations or public institutions; – A portfolio of up to ten samples of relevant work (e.g. communication plans, articles or publications, press material, campaign or brand materials); – A monthly rate in CHF for the services proposed. The full call for tenders RFP-2026-016 is available on the UPU website at www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Procurement. Assessment Applications will be assessed on the basis of a scoring system of up to 100 points, focusing exclusively on qualifications, experience and suitability for the role: – Relevant professional experience in institutional communication at senior level, including media relations and editorial production (30 points); – Coordination and project management (20 points); – Quality of the portfolio (15 points); – Brand, visual and digital expertise, including complex website projects and content management systems (15 points); – Language proficiency in English and French (10 points); – Education (10 points). Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for an interview.
