Consultancy: Communication Specialist in advocacy, communication strategies and campaigns

Communication specialist is needed to develop and implement public advocacy and communication strategies around UNICEF’s key priorities.

Background

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about using evidence and analysis to crate advocacy content for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Scope

As a member of the Public Advocacy section in UNICEF's Division of Communication, communication specialists are needed to develop and implement public advocacy and communication strategies around UNICEF’s key priorities. The consultant will work collaboratively with colleagues in UNICEF’s Division of Communication, Programme and other Divisions, country and regional offices, external partners and others.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic communication inputs to the development and execution of UNICEF’s global communication initiatives in support of UNICEF's mission, objectives and brand; explore and recommends ways to enhance UNICEF’s overall public advocacy, communication and outreach efforts: use resources strategically to optimize overarching results
• Develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders whose support is essential to the achievement of public advocacy and communication objectives
• Develop and implement communication strategies and plans, including messaging, audience analysis, products and services
• Coordinate the production of advocacy and communication materials, e.g. videos, websites, publications, social media products and others
• Develop, write and edit feature and news stories, blogs, advocacy briefs, reports and web content

• • Regularly liaise with other divisions, county and regional offices, national committees and other partners for content development, information exchange and collaborative communication efforts
  • Provide monitoring and evaluation updates and reports as needed
  • Support major events as they relate to UNICEF’s organizational priorities
  • May be requested to work on weekends and holidays
  • May be requested to travel in line with UNICEF rules and regulations
  • Perform other tasks as required

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in communication, journalism or international development
• Five to seven years of experience in public advocacy and communication

• Excellent English writing and editing skills is a must. Knowledge of another UN language is a plus.
• Experience developing and implementing global communication strategies
• Demonstrated ability to produce cogent and compelling text that aligns with communications objectives
• Field experience is desirable
• Experience with web management and social media desirable
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s work is a plus

 Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking
• Excellent writing skills
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives
• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise
• Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission

Applications must be received on or before 28 July 2017 consisting of a cover letter , expected daily rate,  and a CV. Applications lacking a daily rate will be disqualified as incomplete.

UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.

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 organization.