Communication Associate, Temporary Appointment, GS-6 (Maldivian Nationals only)

UNICEF Maldives has an exciting opportunity for a Maldivian National to join our team as a Communication Associate at Level GS-6. All interested and eligible candidates are invited to apply!

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope.

UNICEF is the leading organization promoting the rights and well-being of every child in South Asia and around the world. Working in partnership with the Government, partners and donors, UNICEF Maldives continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of all vulnerable populations, especially children and adolescents.

UNICEF Maldives, in line with its Country Programme Document for 2022 – 2026 works to accelerate children’s rights and wellbeing within the broader priority areas of health and nutrition, education, child protection, social protection and climate change.

Strategic Office context:

Advocacy and Communication are at the centre of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate decision makers for ‘the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential’. We also communicate with key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children. Communicating the situation of children and women in Maldives and highlighting the efforts of UNICEF and partners in the country is part of UNICEF’s mandate. As part of our robust communication and advocacy efforts, we regularly produce informative content, publications and multimedia that are shared widely through its external website, and social media platforms and disseminated to regional and international media outlets. Likewise, events and campaigns are the cornerstones to engaging government, policymakers, youth, media and others in a meaningful manner and ensuring tangible solutions to the issues faced by children and youth in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

The Communication Associate (TA) will provide technical and operations support to the UNICEF Maldives Communication, Advocacy, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Section. He/she will report to the Communication and Advocacy Specialist for the duration of the assignment.

The Communication Associate will support in carrying out a range of programme and operations support functions to help develop, implement and monitor their ongoing programme, ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.   

The Communication Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in UNICEF Maldives and UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA), external partners and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He will provide regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advise on improvements to keep activities on track.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  VA Communication Associate G-6 TA.pdf

The following minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization.
• Work Experience: At least 6 years of relevant work experience in administrative or clerical work experience is required.

Previous experience in similar programme support functions is an asset.

Strong interpersonal skills in being able to develop and maintain effective working relations with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Ability to work independently, be proactive and possess strong organizational skills, with good attention to detail.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is needed. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station/region is desirable but not required. 

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. [Please do not remove this desirable; it should be present in all advertisements]

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.