About the Assignment:
Opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing the EU’s strategic influence in the multilateral arena. This project empowers experts to support EU Delegations in Geneva and New York through high-level engagement, cultural diplomacy, and stakeholder outreach. You’ll shape messaging, build alliances, and drive visibility in the heart of multilateral diplomacy.

Project Description:

Funded by the European Union, this vital initiative is designed to bolster the EU’s visibility and strategic engagement within the United Nations system, with a focus on enhancing public diplomacy and stakeholder relations through dynamic events, campaigns, and alliance-building. The project aims to strengthen partnerships and amplify the EU’s voice in multilateral debates. The overarching goal is to advance EU foreign policy priorities in global governance by supporting Delegations in New York and Geneva.

Expert Profiles:

1. Key experts

1.1. Key Expert 1: Team Leader (based in NYC, with occasional to travel to Geneva, or Brussels 360 working days)

Qualifications and skills

Minimum requirements:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in a discipline relevant to the scope of the assignment, such as international relations, political science, public relations, communication, management, or equivalent professional experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and tailor messages for diverse audiences, including high-level stakeholders and media outlets.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges, develop effective solutions, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Fluency in English (C1 level) and French (B2 level) both spoken and written.

General professional experience

• At least 5 years of proven experience as a Team Leader managing technical assistance projects/programmes, demonstrating strong project management capabilities, strategic planning, and people management skills. This includes the ability to lead, coach, and motivate the team of experts, ensuring effective collaboration and the timely delivery of high quality results under tight deadlines.
• Minimum 10 years of general professional experience in a sector relevant to the scope of the assignment such as public diplomacy, public relations, strategic communication, visibility, or equivalent fields.
• At least 3 years of working experience working within or roles that involve frequent collaboration with multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank, IMF, WTO, or other global governance bodies.

Assets

• Knowledge of EU foreign policy priorities and public diplomacy strategies, including Global Gateway, Team Europe Initiatives.

Specific professional experience

• At least 3 years of experience (included in the 10 years of general professional experience) in leading communication strategies for high-profile events or initiatives within a multilateral or diplomatic context, including the development of press releases, speeches, communication toolkits, and visibility materials tailored to international audiences.
• Proficiency in managing event-related communications, including pre-event planning, onsite coordination, and post-event analysis and reporting, ensuring alignment with visibility and branding guidelines.

 

1.2. Key Expert 2: Public Relations Expert (based in Geneva, with occasional travel to New York or Brussels 300 working days)

Qualifications and skills

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in public relations, communications, international relations, journalism, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Fluency in English (C1 level) and French (C1 level), both spoken and written.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and tailor messages for diverse audiences, including high-level stakeholders, media outlets, and the general public.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

General professional experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience in public relations, stakeholder engagement, media relations, or visibility initiatives.
• Experience working in international or multilateral settings, particularly in public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, or advocacy campaigns.
• Proven experience in managing communication and outreach efforts for complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Specific professional experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in developing and executing public diplomacy campaigns and strategic outreach initiatives in an international or multilateral context.
• Proven experience in managing high-level communication for events, including preparing press releases, speeches, social media campaigns, and promotional materials.
• Experience coordinating media relations with international and regional outlets to enhance visibility and accurate representation of activities.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools, including social media management platforms, multimedia tools, and analytics dashboards.
• Experience in relationship building with key stakeholders, including UN agencies, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and civil society actors.

Assets:

• Previous work experience in Geneva or within key UN agencies and multilateral institutions.

2. Non-Key Experts

Senior and junior NKEs must have a university degree (preferably Master’s), excellent communication skills in English, and at least:

• 3 years (Junior) or 7 years (Senior) of professional experience in fields relevant to their role in this contract.

Roles may include event management, digital communications, graphic design, research, stakeholder mapping, interpretation, and logistics.

Indicative Profiles of Non-Key Experts

a) Event and Conference Management Experts

• Responsible for planning and operational delivery of high-level events, including Ambassadorial seminars, panel discussions, retreats, and cultural activities in New York, Geneva, or Brussels.
• Tasks include venue selection, vendor coordination, catering, equipment setup, guest list management, and post-event follow-up.
• Must demonstrate experience coordinating complex events under strict protocol and security requirements.

b) Communication and Visibility Specialists

• Support the development of communication toolkits, visibility materials, promotional banners, social media assets, and press packages.
• Ensure alignment with EU Communication and Visibility Guidelines for External Actions.
• Contribute to drafting and editing media products, web content, and infographics.

c) Strategic Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement Experts

• Map and engage priority stakeholders including UN delegations, diplomatic missions, CSOs, media, and academia.
• Support invitation strategies, follow-up communication, and stakeholder analysis reports.
• Facilitate inclusive participation, including gender and youth representation, across project events.

d) Youth and Civil Society Engagement Experts

• Design and support activities involving youth leaders, activists, and NGOs, including youth summits and participatory formats.
• Tasks may include participant scouting, agenda co-creation, and coordination with youth networks such as the Youth Sounding Board (YSB).

e) Cultural Programming and Creative Sector Liaisons

• Coordinate cultural diplomacy initiatives such as exhibitions, performances, and artist-led activations.
• Engage with curators, performers, and creative agencies to deliver events that promote EU values and connect with global audiences.
• Ensure cultural programming is context-sensitive and logistically sound.

f) Interpretation, Translation, and Linguistic Support Experts

• Provide interpretation (simultaneous or consecutive) during high-level events.
• Translate speeches, brochures, social media posts, and technical content between English, French, and potentially other UN languages.
• Ensure linguistic accuracy and culturally appropriate messaging.

g) Thematic Researchers and Analysts

• Contribute to annual research papers, policy briefs, or backgrounders aligned with EU thematic priorities (e.g., AI governance, climate, peacebuilding).
• Perform desk research, stakeholder interviews, and draft synthesis documents in coordination with Key Experts.