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Communication Specialist, P-4, New York, #13637

New York City

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • UN and Multilateral Affairs
  • Closing Date: Closed

As part of a team headed by the Chief Digital Strategy, the post is responsible for guiding the formulation, development, management and implementation of UNICEF’s approach and strategies to social media. Furthermore, the post coordinates UNICEF’s work on capacity building of UNICEF staff as well as research, trends and analysis of relevant audiences to better guide implementation of evidence based social media strategies. The post is responsible for promoting UNICEF’s approach to social media in a way that triggers and sustains interactive and transparent dialogue, fosters engagement and change around CRC-related issues. Other responsibilities include consolidating DOC’s work on social media and other innovative approaches to communication, strengthening collaboration within the division and with other divisions and offices to promote the use of new technologies and innovative approaches including digital platforms and social networking tools, community mapping and SMS to empower and reach out to stakeholders. This will contribute to ensuring the organisation stays relevant for a new generation of supporters. The post actively identifies and maintains relations and partnerships with key actors including the private sector, foundations, UN, NGOs and other stakeholders. These partnerships contribute to the development and implementation of the section’s various initiatives in the field of social media.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

As part of a team headed by the Chief Digital Strategy, the post is responsible for guiding the formulation, development, management and implementation of UNICEF's approach and strategies to social media. Furthermore, the post coordinates UNICEF's work on capacity building of UNICEF staff as well as research, trends and analysis of relevant audiences to better guide implementation of evidence based social media strategies.

The post is responsible for promoting UNICEF's approach to social media in a way that triggers and sustains interactive and transparent dialogue, fosters engagement and change around CRC-related issues. Other responsibilities include consolidating DOC's work on social media and other innovative approaches to communication, strengthening collaboration within the division and with other divisions and offices to promote the use of new technologies and innovative approaches including digital platforms and social networking tools, community mapping and SMS to empower and reach out to stakeholders. This will contribute to ensuring the organisation stays relevant for a new generation of supporters.

The post actively identifies and maintains relations and partnerships with key actors including the private sector, foundations, UN, NGOs and other stakeholders. These partnerships contribute to the development and implementation of the section's various initiatives in the field of social media.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

Strategy formulation and implementation

  1. Guide the formulation, development, management and implementation of UNICEF's approach and strategies to social media in a way that emphasises interaction and dialogue on CRC-related issues, enabling UNICEF to convene, to frame and to sustain discussions within and among certain target groups across all digital platforms. This will be done in line with UNICEF's Global Communication and Public Advocacy Strategy and working in close partnerships with other sections in the division.
  2. Continue to increase growth of social media supporters, quality engagement, and UNICEF's transparency and accountability through the use of audience analysis to inform the development of communication and engagement strategies.
  3. Consolidate DOC's work on social and digital media strengthening the collaboration between sections in the division and with other Divisions and Offices in UNICEF.
  4. Participate in discussions and relevant meetings and advise colleagues and senior staff on social media and digital engagement strategies and represent DOC in external meetings when required.
  5. Increase UNICEF's brand awareness among selected audiences through the implementation of innovative digital tools and platforms,
  6. Provide tailored, relevant guidance and assistance to CO-based projects and help build capacity within the CO for on-going digital engagement.

Innovations and new technologies

  1. Keep abreast of innovative communication technologies and approaches relevant to UNICEF such as digital and social networking tools, SMS and community mapping and promote their use in projects and initiatives.
  2. Consolidate existing partnerships and explore and establish new ones with private sector companies, academia and research institutions leaders in the field of technology and innovation and commission research when needed.
  3. Support country offices in the development of local innovative projects that use social media to increase audience engagement.
  4. Work with other sections and divisions in the development of joint initiatives that include the use of social media and new technology to enhance UNICEF's programmatic work.
  5. Advise DOC's Director and senior management on the effective use of social media, new technologies and digital tools.

Research, Trends and Analysis 

  1. Stay abreast of research into new technological developments in digital world.
  2. Guide normative work on emerging issues related to digital and social media and ICTs with a specific view on how they impact the lives of adolescents and young people (e.g. digital citizenship and safety).
  3. Guide the monitoring of social media networks and platforms. Provide digital intelligence and real-time stakeholder mapping in support of evidence-based communication and direct engagement with external audiences.
  4. Actively engage with industry thought-leaders to predict and respond to changes in user behaviour or method of engagement.
  5. Supervise trend-analysis looking at target demographics, and continually evaluate our outreach in respect to expected norms.
  6. Foster partnerships with researchers, research institutions and companies and join existing research projects.

Management  

  1. Identifies, recruits and supervises staff, individual and institutional consultants and technical resources as necessary for the section's activities.
  2. In collaboration with the DOC's senior management, supervise the development of the section's annual workplan, risk management plans and monitors the section's budget and financial performance.
  3. Serves as a member in the Divisional Management Team and in the Global Communication Team.
  4. Oversees the proper implementation of M&E framework for the various projects and initiatives in the section. 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

  • Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline.  A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

  • Eight (8) years progressively responsible professional work experience in digital communications or social media field.

  • Extensive knowledge of digital, social media and civic engagement channels, good understanding of development issues, world affairs and current events.

  • Broad-based knowledge and experience with both traditional and new media.

  • Experience working in an international settings would be considered as significant advantage.

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

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

  • Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Integrity

Core competencies

  • Communication - Level III
  • Working with People - Level II
  • Drive for Results - Level II

Functional Competencies

  • Leading and Supervising - Level II
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Level II
  • Relating and Networking - Level II 
  • Persuading and Influencing - Level III
  • Applying Technical Expertise - Level II 
  • Entrepreneurial Thinking - Level II            

To view our competency framework, please click here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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