Digital Communications and Social Media Consultant Communications Division

Background  

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 183 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener and more gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

The IPU engages with lawmakers, parliamentary staff, the media and other interested stakeholders through its websites, social media channels and other digital platforms to increase the visibility the Organization and the lead the narrative on parliaments.

The IPU’s Communications Division is seeking to strengthen its digital and social media presence in order to maximize the impact of its Communications Strategy. She/He will coordinate the IPU’s social media presence, including planning, creating and editing engaging content for use across multiple internal and external platforms. She/he will analyze performance and implement best practice and lessons learned to continually evolve and improve the IPU’s online presence.  

Tasks

Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, the Consultant will support the implementation of the digital and social media components of the IPU’s Communications Strategy, including content planning, production, platform management and performance analysis.

More specifically, the External Collaborator will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide recommendations to increase the IPU’s digital visibility based on current trends and innovations in communications;
• Implement and develop the social media and digital components of the IPU’s Communications Strategy;
• Expand and optimize the IPU’s digital and social media presence, in English and in French primarily, on each platform to increase the IPU’s visibility;
• Establish and maintain relationships with service providers, both technical and editorial, to develop new sections and functions;
• Plan, create, commission and edit engaging, innovative written, infographic, video or audio content designed to maximize reach and impact for key audiences, in coordination with other stakeholders;
• Organize and manage the IPU’s social media platforms and communities with a particular focus during key events
• Ensure effective segmentation of the IPU on its social media channels by differentiating content according to platform and audience
• Monitor and measure traffic on social media channels, and search engine optimization;
• Produce and interpret web and social media analytics to inform strategy and work plans;
• Collaborate with stakeholders, both internally and externally, on social media messaging, promotion and engagement strategies;
• Provide social media guidelines, training and coaching for IPU stakeholders to use and integrate social media into their work;

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• IPU Secretariat Staff;
• President, Secretary General, and Senior Management;
• Communications staff of other organizations;
• Communications staff of members.

Deliverables

Key deliverables will include:

• Contribute to content production across the IPU’s digital platforms with a particular focus on short videos or content suitable for Instagram and TikTok
• Analytics and performance reports on social media channels.
• Support for IPU leadership on social media.
• Coverage of key IPU events on social media.

Required experience and qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, marketing or a communications-related discipline,
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in digital communications, as a journalist or online content producer with a track record of producing engaging written and video content;
• Languages: Fluent English and excellent French written and oral communications skills;
• Strong knowledge of international relations and politics desirable;

Duration

This consultancy is intended to provide temporary coverage for the position during the incumbent’s maternity leave. The External Collaborator shall be expected to complete up to 209 days of work (based on a 7.5 hour day) during the period commencing on 21 September 2026 and continuing through 31 August 2027.

Location

The Consultancy will be based at the IPU Headquarters in Geneva. Nonetheless, depending on the nature of the tasks undertaken and with the consent of the supervisor some of the tasks can be carried out remotely.