Job Highlight
Provide strategic support to strengthen GPA’s communications and advocacy efforts to deliver greater visibility, influence and impact for sustainable energy solutions in displacement and fragile settings.
About The Project Office
The Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA) is the global initiative aiming to ensure SDG 7—access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—is inclusive of displacement and fragile contexts. The GPA enables collective action for delivery at scale by generating shared intelligence, shaping policy and funding agendas, mobilising resources, and orchestrating collaboration among humanitarian, development, government, private sector, financing, and community actors. It is guided by a Board and Advisory Group of key energy, climate, humanitarian and development partners. Hosted by the UNOPS, the GPA Secretariat implements its shared objectives by collaborating with a global network of over 100 partners.
About The Group
From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.
Role Purpose
Reporting to the Head of the Secretariat, the Senior Communications Advisor will strengthen GPA’s communications and advocacy function to increase the visibility, influence and impact of its work on sustainable energy solutions in displacement and fragile settings. The role will refine GPA’s messaging, audience targeting and strategic positioning, ensuring communications are clearly linked to policy, partnership, fundraising and programme objectives. The role will lead the development of compelling narratives, advocacy campaigns, digital content, case studies, speeches, briefings, newsletters, event materials and partner toolkits that translate technical and field evidence into persuasive messages for governments, donors, funders and financiers, humanitarian and development agencies, private sector partners and wider audiences.
The role will also support GPA partners to use shared evidence and messaging for advocacy purposes, coordinate communications around key moments and campaigns, build GPA’s profile through media, events and thought leadership, strengthen brand consistency and editorial quality, and track performance to improve reach, engagement and demonstrable advocacy impact.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Communications and Advocacy Strategy Develop and guide implementation of GPA’s communications strategy to strengthen the visibility, influence and impact of its work on sustainable energy solutions in displacement and fragile settings. Review and provide strategic advice to strengthen existing communications and advocacy activities, identifying opportunities to improve reach, quality, consistency and strategic impact. Support the alignment of communications and advocacy priorities with GPA’s strategy, programme, policy, partnerships and fundraising objectives. Work closely with policy, technical and country-focused colleagues to align communications activities with GPA’s strategic priorities and partner engagement plans. Provide strategic communications advice to GPA leadership, communications team and partners, including positioning, messaging, reputational risk, event preparation and external engagement. Messaging, Narrative and Content Development Develop compelling people-centred narratives that position sustainable energy in fragile and displacement contexts as essential to inclusive energy access, climate action, resilience, protection, cost-efficiency and improved outcomes for displaced people and host communities. Translate technical, policy and field-level evidence into clear, persuasive content for governments, donors, funders, financiers, humanitarian and development agencies, refugee and community based organisations, private sector partners and wider audiences. Lead the development of high-quality communications products and briefing packs, including advocacy briefs, campaign materials, policy messages, web content, newsletters, speeches, talking points, social media content and case studies. Identify, develop and publish stories from GPA partners and country programmes that demonstrate the practical value of sustainable energy solutions for displaced people, host communities and humanitarian operations. Ensure communications are grounded in evidence, respectful storytelling and the priorities of displaced people, host communities and local partners. Advocacy Campaigns and Policy Influence Strengthen GPA’s advocacy approach around key policy and investment opportunities, including Mission 300, SDG7 processes, clean cooking, renewable energy, humanitarian decarbonisation, climate finance and refugee inclusion agendas. Develop and coordinate targeted communication campaigns that mobilise partners, highlight field evidence and promote stronger commitments to sustainable energy access in displacement settings. Support GPA partners to use shared messaging, evidence and advocacy materials to influence international, regional and national policy processes. Coordinate partner communications around major policy moments, launches, events and campaigns, helping GPA members amplify common messages and demonstrate collective impact. Participate in communications and advocacy working groups, partner coordination spaces and external events on behalf of GPA. Profile, Partnerships and External Engagement Build GPA’s profile with priority audiences through speaking opportunities, media engagement, thought-leadership placements, event visibility and strategic digital engagement. Strengthen relationships with communications counterparts across UN agencies, NGOs, donors, funders, financiers, energy-access organisations and private sector partners, refugee and community based organisations to increase collaboration and amplification. Strengthen GPA’s visibility in relevant humanitarian, energy, climate, development and displacement forums. Support external engagement that positions GPA as a credible, evidence-based platform for humanitarian energy action. Digital, Brand and Performance Management Strengthen GPA’s digital presence, including website content, newsletters, social media channels and multimedia storytelling, to increase engagement with target audiences. Evaluate and strengthen the GPA’s brand, improve editorial quality and message discipline across GPA’s external communications. Coordinate the dissemination of flagship communications outputs, such as annual reports, advocacy campaigns, knowledge products, event packages and digital campaigns. Develop practical communications guidance, templates and advocacy resources that enable partners to communicate more effectively and consistently on sustainable energy in fragile and displacement settings. Track and analyse communications and advocacy performance, using metrics, audience insights and partner feedback to improve future activities and demonstrate impact.
Notable outputs, include:
Communications and advocacy strategy setting out priority audiences, core messages, engagement objectives, channels, campaigns and links to GPA’s policy, partnership, fundraising and programme goals. Core messaging and narrative framework for sustainable energy in displacement and fragile settings, including key messages, audience-specific positioning, and language for use by GPA and partners. Advocacy campaign packages for priority policy and investment moments, including Mission 300, SDG7, clean cooking, climate finance, humanitarian decarbonisation and refugee inclusion agendas. Partner communications and advocacy briefs with templates, messaging guidance, campaign assets and practical resources to support coordinated partner engagement. Flagship storytelling and evidence products showcasing field examples, partner experience and the impact of sustainable energy solutions for displaced people, host communities and humanitarian operations. Communications performance and impact analysis on reach, engagement, audience growth, partner amplification, media visibility, campaign performance and contribution to advocacy outcomes.
Required
Education Requirements
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in energy, environment, international development or humanitarian studies, international relations, public policy, or a related field is required A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience Requirements
Required:
A minimum of 7 years of experience in advocacy and communications, of which 3 years has been at senior management level is required. Proven experience of 5 years in strategic advocacy or strategic communication with a focus on energy, environment, climate or sustainability is required. Documented high-level advocacy or other experience with national and energy-sector leaders is required. Experience working in challenging and politically complex situations is required.
Desirables:
Work experience in a developing country or displacement affected country, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya and/or wider Sub-Saharan Africa would be an asset. Proven experience managing staff located in other geographical locations. Experience working on sustainable energy in humanitarian contexts, and with multi-stakeholder partnerships (UN, NGOs, private sector, governments, or donors) is an asset.