Consultant for Digital Media Engagement

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.

Background and Context:

Digital engagement plays an important role in UNICEF's response to global shifts in the fields of communication, fundraising, advocacy and development. The Organisation's use of digital media platforms helps position UNICEF as a knowledge leader, expands outreach and broadens engagement around children's rights.

Effective use of digital channels for communication of UNICEF's key messages, through relevant content, experience and dialogue, allows individuals to connect directly with other individuals or groups, as well as brands and organisations, thus creating valuable relationships with both online and offline supporters.

In order to more effectively use digital communication platforms that will increase effectiveness of advocacy around key children's issues and build digital brand engagement and partnerships, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area needs to engage an individual consultant to strengthen and energize its digital platforms.

Purpose and Objective:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Communication Specialist, the Digital Communication Consultant for web and social media is responsible for the strengthening of UNICEF Eastern Caribbean's presence on digital platforms (websites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, U-Report, YouTube). Specifically, the consultant should design, implement and improve UNICEF's digital plan and digital communication in order to maximize its online presence, and facilitate the engagement with followers in a dynamic, interactive and meaningful way.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

The consultant firm or individual consultant will work remotely but will interact closely with the relevant programme and communication teams within the UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area Office to understand the sub region's context and specific programme responses. The end products should therefore be contextual to the Eastern Caribbean and be based on the advocacy priorities of the Multi-Country Programme.

Activities, Tasks and Outputs:

In close collaboration with the communication team, develop and implement a digital media strategy, utilising differentiated content and engagement strategies on the most suitable platforms.

• Prepares and publishes content to the web and to social media accounts (publishing on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. through Hootsuite.) on a regular basis.
• Routinely report on the progress of the digital media strategy using the most appropriate indicators from the Global Communication and Public Advocacy Strategy.
• Maintain a regularly updated content production plan and an editorial calendar, and public approved digital content accordingly.
• Identify priority communication ideas in close coordination with the Communication Specialist and programme team for inclusion in the content production and engagement plan, ensuring that local, regional and global priorities are reflected.
• Support the production of digital communication material, including infographics, photos and videos, helping to ensure that all material meets UNICEF quality standards.
• Recommend established influencers, networks, resources and processes to support digital and social media activities
• Provide close support for the design and implementation of U-Report in the Eastern Caribbean Area.

Expected Deliverables:

Management, Organization and Timeframe:

The digital consultant will report directly to the Communication Specialist at UNICEF. All material and content must be reviewed and approved by the Communication Specialist before being posted or shared.

Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge/Experience required:

• Minimum three (3) years progressive experience in social/digital media management, including strategy design, content development and monitoring and evaluation
• Good working knowledge of key social media monitoring tools
• Excellent English writing, editing and proofreading skills, including experience writing for the web/social media
• Strong interpersonal skills, high level of professionalism, flexibility to respond appropriately to changes as part of the editorial process and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Previous experience with UNICEF, other United Nations agencies and international organisations is a strong asset.

Travel:

The consultant firm or individual consultant will work remotely and travel is therefore not envisaged. 

Duration of Contract:

The contract will run from March 15 2017 – February 15 2018

Budget:

The fee for this assignment is negotiable within standard UNICEF range for National Officers – C and will be based on the consultant's qualifications and experience. The Consultant will be paid the negotiated fee on a monthly basis based on an invoice and proof of completed deliverables.

Conditions of Service:

Prior to commencing the contract, the following conditions must be met:

An Individual Consultant will be required to submit samples of previous relevant work. Before a contract is issued individual consultants must provide a statement of good health, accompanied by a recent Medical Certificate which indicates that the Consultant is fit for work. In addition, the Consultant is required to certify in the Health Statement that he/she is covered by medical/health insurance. The statement includes confirmation that he/she has been informed of any inoculation required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. He/she takes full responsibility for the accuracy of the statement.

A Corporate Entity will be required to submit samples of previous relevant work, a Certificate of Incorporation for the Company as well as a profile of the individual(s) who would be undertaking the assignment.

UNICEF Recourse in Case of Unsatisfactory Performance:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

Property Rights:

UNICEF shall hold all property rights, such as copyright, patents and registered trademarks, on matters directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with UNICEF.

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

Application Process:

Prospective contractors should submit a proposal package no later than COB (EST) on February 24 2017. The proposal package must include the following:

1. A cover letter
2. A detailed curriculum vitae or background of the corporate entity in English
3. Evidence of developing digital communication materials and managing digital media
4. Technical and Financial proposal outlining monthly fee