UNPAID VOLUNTEER - COP29 Communications Managers (Baku based candidates only)

THIS IS AN UNPAID ROLE

Role Title: COP29 Communications Managers (Baku based candidates only)

Role Nature: Volunteer

Location: Home-based

The Blockchain & Climate Institute (BCI) is an international volunteers-led think tank supporting and advocating the application of blockchain technology in the global fight against climate change.

We are looking for a highly organized, responsible and creative VOLUNTEER Communications Manager with excellent (English) oral and writing skills who takes a strategic approach to their work, builds professional relationships with media or relevant stakeholders, and enhances the impact of the BCI’s intiatives within our targeted audiences.

As a member of the Communications Officer Grade, this role is a time-limited engagement and will be significantly focusing on activities which are associated with BCI's participation in the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan (Nov to Dec 2024). The COP Communications Champion will be supported by other Communications Officers in the team. The post-holder is expected to serve the team from August 2024 to February 2025.

Successful candidates MUST be already based in Baku with professional knowledge of UN climate change conferences. This role is unpaid and voluntary.

Those who are not already based in Baku need not apply for this role and should consider applying for other BCI roles instead.

Responsibilities:

• To support the Head of Communications and Public Relations (HCM) of BCI on all initiatives related to COP29, this includes activities pre and post Conference;
• To coordinate the communications-related preparation work so that the BCI has the right people, material, technology and resources at the upcoming COP, in person and virtually, to support key allies and partners (including governments and international agencies) to pitch to potential collaborators;
• To maximise BCI’s brand visibility by supporting communication work at relevant COP events - including meetings, interviews, recording side-events, editing, streaming and social media push and articles through the BCI website;
• To coordinate post-COP follow-up communications-related tasks (including co-ordinating the post event messaging, internal BCI and external comms, business events and the compilation of videos with the Creative Unit);
• To raise the profile of the BCI among audiences both within and outside the climate change policy community by identify opportunities in press, on website or social media in the context of COP29.
• To support the implementation of the BCI’s communications strategy, including various in-person and virtual event organisation, logistics arrangements, administrative tasks, etc.
• To generate content for BCI that will be disseminated via social media, websites, newsletters, press releases and other (external) distribution channels, follow up on coverage and/or engagement; and
• To ensure all messaging and content aligns with BCI's corporate communication strategies and branding guidelines, etc.
• To support all miscellaneous activities and logistics arrangement for the BCI delegation before, during and after COP29 as required.

Requirements

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent English oral communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries, and communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all level
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, layout and design, and professional publishing skills
• Good understanding of communication channels (e.g. social media)
• Confident communicator
• Close attention to details
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Good judgement and ability to balance competing demands under pressure and limited resources
• Being fluent in UN working languages other than English will be considered as an asset
• Experience in working in Azerbaijan or nearby region, be sensitive and adaptive to the Azerbaijian culture

General & Specialist Knowledge

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office; and
• Strong depth of knowledge on topics central to the BCI such as climate change, climate finance and blockchain technology preferred;
• Strong depth of knowledge on how the UN (United Nations) operates and/or work experience with the UN;
• Prior COP participation experience is a huge advantage;
• Proven relevant position in the communications area of an organisation (not-for-profit or environmental organisation preferred);
• Experience of working in a target-driven role;
• A portfolio of exceptional writing and editing;
• Event management experience is strongly desirable;
• Experience of working independently and with teams to drive forward projects using own initiative.

Education & Training

• A relevant degree or training in Communications and/or Climate Change related areas preferred.

Relevant Experience

• Proven relevant position in the communications area of an organisation (not-for-profit or environmental organisation preferred);
• Experience of working in a target-driven role;
• A portfolio of exceptional writing and editing; and
• Experience of working independently and with teams to drive forward projects using own initiative.

Benefits

This is a great first step to take to gain experience for an industry change into climate action and/or emerging tech. It is also a great opportunity for those wanting to take some time to get involved in changing the world and work with like-minded people in a prominent global event with ministerial delegations and renowned thought leaders on climate change in the world.

Blockchain and other emerging technologies. Climate change and sustainability. These are two hot topic groups that have been headlining media outlets, dominating conferences & events, and gaining increasing traction in research and pilot projects. BCI is here as an expert platform to help governments, inter-governmental and regional organisations as well as relevant corporates to negotiate the complex landscape of emerging technologies for environmental good. We cement our expertise by putting in the hard work in researching, identifying and analysing the applications of emerging technologies so that informed decisions can be made by the stakeholders in the climate change and action network.

The BCI Communications team aims to tell the BCI story and our role in driving innovation to mitigate climate change and create a cleaner and greener future. As a think-tank and advocacy group for such a major issue, we understand the importance of being a credible expert and advisor which is why it is essential to demonstrate our research-driven approach to the relevant stakeholders.

Selection Process

As a voluntary organization, we are pleased to open the door for candidates who may not have the prior experience they need to start, progress, or switch their careers. To recruit the most suitable, talented, or potential new members out of the volume of applications received, it is the BCI’s policy to also consider inexperienced candidates to fill our voluntary unpaid roles as long as they can demonstrate the skills required in the written assessment. In the selection process, most candidates will be invited to complete the following assessment.

Section A: Verbal and Numerical Reasoning (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section B: Situation Judgement Test (20 multiple-choice questions)

Section C: In-Tray Exercise (An open-ended assessment relevant to the duties of the role)

Candidates who pass all three sections will be invited to attend a phone screening, first interview, and final interview online.