Advocacy and Communication Specialist (m/f/d)

UNICEF HQ Locations are currently undergoing organizational changes; therefore, the exact location of the post has yet to be determined. Selected candidates may be required to commence duties remotely until the location is confirmed. If reassigned or relocated to another location, candidates may be expected to relocate to a new location again during the initial contract or assignment period.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Advocacy.

The P3 Advocacy and Communication Specialist will assist the team in better positioning UNICEF as a leading cluster agency both internally and externally. The staff will assist the team in increasing UNICEF’s visibility and profile as the Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) through evidence-based advocacy to external partners, donors, and inter- agency forums. This will include developing a communication strategy for the GCCS, creating compelling communication tools, strengthening the knowledge management system, and building capacity within the GCCS.

How can you make a difference?

Drive the development of effective, integrated advocacy and communication strategies. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. Duties include:

• Advocacy strategy implementation and updating:
  Lead the implementation and updating of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, supporting the team and management with development of key messages and talking point in line with the strategy and organizing advocacy events.
• Communication strategy development and implementation:
  Provide technical assistance in designing and delivering effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize internal and external understanding and support for cluster/sector/AoR coordination.
  Develop communication products such as the GCCS quarterly newsletter which includes collecting articles and information from the global cluster/AoR teams, editing the newsletter,
  Develop necessary communication materials based on the GCCS communication and advocacy strategy. It could include videos, briefing, infographics, dashboard, or anything else that suits to the purpose and targets.
  Assist with dissemination strategies, maintaining mailing lists with MooSend, and similar efforts to help GCCS better reach its key audiences.
• Digital communications and presence:
  Advise and enact avenues for increased online visibility of the work of the GCCS and the clusters. Improve access to information on humanitarian coordination to the rest of the organizathin, notably through UNICEF’s Sharepoint and external sites.
  Coordinate and/or support the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences.
• Advocacy and communication M&E:
  Establish baselines against which results are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of M&E results on a regular basis.
• Project management:
  Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects and workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Advocacy and communication capacity building:
  Identify capacity gaps of the GCCS and UNICEF-led clusters/AoR on communication and advocacy and develop a capacity building plan.
  Organize training or other support to build GCCS, UNICEF-led clusters/AoR and the broader EMOPS team capacity on communication and advocacy according to the capacity building plan.
• Stakeholder engagement:
  Identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.
  Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.
• Others:
  Undertake other key responsibilities for UNICEF EMOPS as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: An Advanced University degree in Journalism, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Law, Communication or other relevant fields. * A first level university degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communications is required. Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators. A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible change. Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics based on a clear theory of change. Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions. Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels. Experience in donor relations or fundraising desirable. Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics. Outstanding English language writing skills are a must. Experience in training and facilitation is an asset. Experience working in a developing and emergency environment, particularly with clusters, is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English required; proficiency in another UN language highly desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA)

The core competencies required for this post are:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers Higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.