Communications Lead, Tropical Forest Alliance

This is a fixed-term position for a duration of 24 months.

The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the international organization for public-private cooperation. It engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. The Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) is the leading global public-private-philanthropic partnership focused on catalysing the power of collective action to drive the world’s transition to deforestation and conversion-free agricultural commodities. 1t.org is part of the World Economic Forum’s efforts to accelerate nature-based solutions and support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Why we are recruiting

The nature pillar team is recruiting a communications lead to manage strategic communications and audience engagement for its work on forest restoration and deforestation-free commodities supply chains, specifically through 1t.org (the Forum’s trillion trees platform) and the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA). A cohesive communications approach for forests, well integrated into the Forum’s nature pillar narrative and strategy, is critical to ensure successful delivery of initiative goals. To be successful in this role, the candidate will need to show a proven track record in communications and stakeholder engagement, internally and externally, with experience in developing and delivering communication plans. The candidate will have excellent writing skills, experience in traditional and social media communications, ability to work with digital tools, and be creative and innovative. Discretion and diplomacy are vital as the candidate will be dealing with senior stakeholders in this role.

This is initially a two-year position with the potential to extend. The position is based at the Forum’s office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Reporting lines and interactions

The role is based in Geneva within the World Economic Forum. The person will report to the co-Heads of the Nature Pillar within the Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) and will work very closely with the existing communications staff in TFA and 1t.org. The person will also work closely with programme staff in TFA, 1t.org, the Nature Pillar, the broader CNC and the Global Communications Group (GCG). Outside of the Forum, this person will work with a broad range of stakeholders, including communications leads within the TFA and 1t.org networks, external communication agencies and members of the media.

The role will direct the work of, and have supervisory responsibility for, one or more communications specialists.

Main responsibilities

1. Communications planning

• Develop, manage and implement multistakeholder communications strategies for TFA and 1t.org – in partnership with the leadership teams in both initiatives.
• Lead on the development and continued iteration of the forest and land use narrative and messaging across the nature portfolio, providing up-to-date talking points for Forum leadership and spokespeople as necessary.
• Prepare communication tools and content plans for the TFA and 1t.org communities outlining the objectives of TFA and 1t.org and providing updates on activities and progress.
• Ensure integration of TFA and 1t.org communications plans, as appropriate, with the communications leads across the Nature Pillar, the CNC and the Forum’s GCG.
• Drive collaboration with communications teams among the partner organisations of TFA and 1t.org to ensure consistency of messaging and coordination of actions.
• Keep abreast of the latest communication trends as well as emerging trends relating to the breadth of topics covered by TFA and 1t.org work, refining the communication strategy accordingly.
• Monitor TFA’s and 1t.org’s brand and reputation, public perception, and identify and make recommendations to address any risks or threats.
• Baseline and demonstrate communication progress through outcome focused metrics and data through regular evaluation reports.
• Manage the TFA and 1t.org communications budget.

• Help manage relevant communications on events for Forum meetings (e.g. Annual Meeting in Davos) and relevant international events including the UN COPs and regional climate weeks.
• Develop content (key messages, speeches, blogs, articles, media releases, external reports and business updates) in line with the Forum’s Global Communications strategy, and other communications tools to promote the efforts of TFA and 1t.org to its target audiences.
• Coordinate with the Forum GCG and other teams to leverage digital opportunities.
• Monitor and leverage Forum Media content that could be relevant to the topic of TFA and 1t.org work in order to ensure consistent messaging and minimize risk.
• Contribute to responding to media enquiries and to relevant press releases.

• Raise awareness of TFA and 1t.org goals and progress to key stakeholders and audiences by mobilizing community/partner networks.
• Deliver effective campaigns based on TFA and 1t.org’s core objectives with audience insights at the centre.
• Curate the online channels for TFA and 1t.org (e.g. LinkedIn, etc.) and create opportunities for the broader community’s engagement. Ensure a strong, accurate and current digital presence while using media monitoring tools to position and target TFA and 1t.org through activities to desired effect.
• Baseline and demonstrate communication progress through outcome-focused metrics and data through regular evaluation reports.
• Ensure high quality and efficient delivery with external consultants and service providers.

The successful candidate will be assessed on

• The communications strategy and action plan with regular progress monitoring.
• Creation of up-to-date content for the TFA and 1t.org social media channels.
• Creation of communications materials for engagement internally and externally.
• Proactive attitude and cooperation with the broader team to create opportunities and to establish and improve stakeholder engagement.
• Effective collaboration with the TFA and 1t.org partners and network to ensure a coordinated, global communications campaign.
• Self-motivated, high-energy and supportive individual with the ability to grow with the role.
• Excellent communicator capable of motivating a team, working cross-functionally and liaising with external stakeholders as needed.

Preferred requirements and experience

• Degree in communication, marketing and media engagement, strategy or equivalent, with broad intellectual background.
• Experience and interest in environmental sustainability. Specific experience in nature, land use, forestry and/or climate change issues would be an asset.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in the public, private or civil society sectors, working with different industries to build global campaigns and communications strategies touching on the public and private sectors.
• Ability to work with C-suite business leaders and leading issue experts in academia, international organizations, governments and NGOs, as well as with representatives from grassroots organizations.
• Experience with public relations agencies, media consultants and working with communications professionals is a strong advantage.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with an understanding of stakeholder needs. A committed, collaborative, positive and solution-oriented team player.
• Proficient in MS Office; experience with digital platforms and tools would be an asset.
• Ability to build and execute a social media strategy.
• Experience in providing communications advice to senior leaders.
• Strong editorial judgement, writing and editing skills. Journalism experience would be an asset.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in other languages desirable.
• Good analytical capabilities.
• High standards of professionalism and integrity with a collaborative spirit and positive attitude.