Digital Communication Manager (Head of Digital Governance and Platforms), P-4, Fixed Term, DGCA, Valencia, Spain #99833

Reporting to the P5 Chief of Digital Strategy, this role leads the management and delivery of global digital platforms for external communications and engagement. The role is responsible for overseeing the product strategy and governance of UNICEF.org web platform, ensuring continuous improvement and development of UNICEF’s platform portfolio. The incumbent will lead the technical training and support to HQ, Regional and Country Offices for digital platforms. This role is also responsible for leading the digital governance team to implement and socialize UNICEF’s digital governance framework and Centre of Excellence, with the aim of maintaining a robust, cohesive global digital presence in alignment with the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy.

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, hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means all children have a chance to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Advocacy and Communication are at the center of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate to 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 communicate with key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children.

This position resides within the Digital Strategy Section, as part of the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy and reports directly to the Chief of Digital Strategy. The Digital Strategy Section manages all global digital channels and digital communications for UNICEF, including unicef.org and global social media channels in 5 UN languages as well as digital marketing and partnership execution. The Section is also responsible for the building, management, and maintenance of global website properties, including country and regional office support for digital transformation, governance, and capacity building.

How can you make a difference?

Reporting to the P5 Chief of Digital Strategy, this role leads the management and delivery of global digital platforms for external communications and engagement. The role is responsible for overseeing the product strategy and governance of UNICEF.org web platform, ensuring continuous improvement and development of UNICEF’s platform portfolio. The incumbent will lead the technical training and support to HQ, Regional and Country Offices for digital platforms. This role is also responsible for leading the digital governance team to implement and socialize UNICEF’s digital governance framework and Centre of Excellence, with the aim of maintaining a robust, cohesive global digital presence in alignment with the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy.

Summary of key functions:

1. Lead the delivery of global web platforms for external communications and engagement.
2. Oversee the identification, implementation, and operation of global digital platforms in support of social media, multimedia, and web functions for GCA and broader UNICEF organization.
3. Lead the support to HQ, Regional and Country Offices for digital platforms to enable the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy (GCAS) implementation.
4. Lead the digital governance team to implement and socialize UNICEF’s digital governance and Centre of Excellence, with the aim of maintaining a cohesive global digital presence.
5. Management

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

1. Lead the delivery of global web platforms for external communications and engagement.

• Oversee the product vision of UNICEF.org web platform, ensure continuous improvement and development of UNICEF’s external web platform portfolio.
• Provide comprehensive guidance and perspective on features related to business impact and priority.
• Define high-level requirements for the platforms, specify product needs and manage product roadmap for digital platforms.
• Supervise product delivery team to translate user needs and experience, define and prioritize feature requirements and identify dependencies to ensure work focuses on those requirements with maximum value as aligned with product strategy.
• Lead product delivery team to oversee the development lifecycle in partnership with ICTD (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION) development team.
• Track product performance; research and determine future product needs.
• Manage stakeholders and update them regularly on product development.

2. Oversee the identification, implementation, and operation of global digital platforms in support of social media, multimedia, and web functions for GCA and broader UNICEF organization

• Lead needs assessment to identify requirements for digital platforms, including digital asset management system, social media management platform and digital analytics to support and expand the organization’s digital operations.
• Track and assess platform performance to share insights regarding the platforms with stakeholders.
• Identify and provide recommendations for new and emerging technology platforms to stakeholders.

3. Lead the support to HQ, Regional and Country Offices for digital platforms to enable the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy (GCAS) implementation

• Supervise the adoption of UNICEF.org web platform and other and other tools for use in HQ, Regional and Country Offices.
• Oversee the technical training and support of UNICEF.org web platform

4. Lead the digital governance team to implement and socialize UNICEF’s digital governance and Centre of Excellence, with the aim of maintaining a cohesive global digital presence

• Establish and manage a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to ensure UNICEF makes the best use of digital communication channels in a cohesive and consistent manner at a global, Regional and Country Office level, as well as advancing knowledge and training on all platforms.
• Provide strategic guidance on the creation and implementation of procedures, standards and guidelines for UNICEF’s public facing digital presence.
• Oversee the development and management of community of practice (CoP) and digital capacity building programme.

5. Management

• Provide day to day leadership of Digital Platforms and Governance Team and act as OIC for the Chief of Digital Strategy as required. 
• Identify, recruit, and supervise staff, individual and institutional consultants, and technical resources as necessary for the section’s activities.
• In collaboration with Chief of Digital Strategy Section, supervise the development of the unit’s annual workplan and budget as relevant.
• Serve as a member of the Divisional Management Team and the Global Communications Team.
• Oversee the proper implementation of M&E frameworks for the various projects and initiatives in the unit.
• Perform the functions and fill in for other colleagues when required.
• Undertake other duties assigned by supervisor/s.

Impact of Results

The delivery of a modern, fully functional, and cohesive digital presence, combined with digital capability among staff, will result in full realization of the objectives of the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy. Effective leadership of the digital governance function will result in optimal use of resources to protect UNICEF, including the monitoring and management of infringements to UNICEF’s online brand, as well as the support, training, and advice to staff in order to comply with digital governance, and to mitigate online risks.

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

Education:

• Advanced university degree in communication, management, digital media, or other related discipline. (A first university degree combined with 2 additional years (total 10) of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree).

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in digital operations, digital product management or digital delivery and user experience required.
• Prior experience creating and maintaining a web presence, such as web content management systems (WCMS), hosting, web development, design, and user experience required.
• Ability to lead teams, both formal and virtual, and interact with a broad range of stakeholders required.
• A good understanding of technical aspects of online media and communication required.
• Proven experience working in the field of digital governance in a large, decentralized organization highly desirable.
• Experience managing or contributing to websites and/or social media accounts, other than for personal use highly desirable.
• Experience in teaching, training, or other capacity building activities highly desirable.
• Experience working with technology risk management or compliance is highly desirable, specifically in a humanitarian or not-for-profit environment.
• Proven record of accomplishment in delivery of complex projects in an online environment highly desirable.
• Extensive experience with identifying problems before they arise and determining potential risk mitigation strategies.
• Strong ability to think strategically and to formulate strategy to enable broader organizational initiatives.
• The ability to work independently and to think "out of the box" to overcome challenges.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)
Works collaboratively with others (2)
Builds and maintains partnership (2)
Innovates and embraces change (2)
Thinks and acts strategically (2)
Drive to achieve results for impact (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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