Communications Assistant, (GS-6), PPD Tokyo, Japan

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen UNICEF’s position as a partner of choice for children’s right among governments and public actors around the world. Given nature of the office, under general guidance of the supervisor, the Communications Assistant supports UNICEF-Japan visibility and engagement with various stakeholders with the end goal of increasing overall funding. Those stakeholders include, but are not limited to, Japanese parliamentarians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and the general public. The staff member also supports raising awareness on UNICEF’s activities and children’s issues in partnership with Japan Committee for UNICEF.

Organizational context and purpose for the job

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 that all children have an opportunity 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.

Job organizational context

The Communication Assistant reports to the Communication Specialist of PPD Tokyo.

Purpose for the job

The Public Partnerships Division (PPD) works to strengthen UNICEF’s position as a partner of choice for children’s right among governments and public actors around the world. Given nature of the office, under general guidance of the supervisor, the Communications Assistant supports UNICEF-Japan visibility and engagement with various stakeholders with the end goal of increasing overall funding. Those stakeholders include, but are not limited to, Japanese parliamentarians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and the general public. The staff member also supports raising awareness on UNICEF’s activities and children’s issues in partnership with Japan Committee for UNICEF.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Provide supports for the fundraising team and resource mobilisation
2. Create advocacy and communication materials and manage communication outlets
3. Collaborate with Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) for public advocacy
4. Engage with parliamentarians, especially with members of the Parliamentary League for UNICEF (PLU)
5. Leverage UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) to mobilise support for UNICEF
6. Communicate UNICEF messages to Japanese general public through media
7. Conduct advocacy and communication activities with other partners in Japan

1. Provide supports for the fundraising team and resource mobilisation

• Assist in providing supporting communication materials and information in a timely manner for the fundraising team.
• Assist in gathering visibility/recognition materials in coordination with NYHQs and country offices (COs).
• Assist in translating visibility/recognition materials to Japanese for distribution as necessary.
• Assist in drafting and editing website articles and other materials of visibilities/recognitions.
• Support the dissemination of materials of visibilities/recognitions via face-to-face formats, UNICEF Tokyo’s website and/or SNS.
• Assist any other resource mobilisation activities as necessary in close collaboration with the fundraising team.

2. Create advocacy and communication materials and manage communication outlets

• Assist in creating advocacy and communication materials (e.g. media briefings, photos, videos, website and leaflets).
• Assist in translating advocacy and communication materials to Japanese as necessary.
• Assist in co-managing SNS accounts including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in partnership with JCU.
• Assist in maintaining and updating UNICEF Tokyo’s website.
• Assist in ensuring on-going assessment of social media trends and practices and their application to an evolving strategy of the team.
• Support the management of the database of advocacy and communication materials.

3. Collaborate with Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) for public advocacy

• Assist in conducting advocacy and communication activities with JCU including events, material production, co-management of SNS accounts, and etc.
• Support the office’s effective communications with JCU
• Attend a JCU-PPD Tokyo monthly meeting with the supervisor.

4. Engage with parliamentarians, especially with members of the Parliamentary League for UNICEF (PLU)

• Support the coordination, implementation, and follow-up of PLU field trips in close collaboration with NYHQs and COs.
• Assist in organising events and meetings to raise awareness on CRC issues and UNICEF brand/activities among parliamentarians in order to mobilise their supports for the organisation.
• Assist in creating communication materials as necessary.
• Assist in maintaining and reinforcing the trust relationship with PLU members through constant and effective communications.
• Assist in recruiting new members of PLU.
• Assist in obtaining intelligence related to the Japanese Diet and parliamentarians and in improving and refining the team’s strategy, approach and tactics.

5. Leverage UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) to mobilise support for UNICEF

• Support the coordination, implementation, and follow-up of a GWA field trips in close collaboration with NYHQs and COs.
• Assist in providing supports for GWA’s media exposures and charity events as necessary.
• Support the team with effective communications with the GWA’s office.
• Assist in exploring and implementing a way to leverage international UNICEF GWAs to raise awareness of CRC issues and the UNICEF brand.

 6. Communicate UNICEF messages to Japanese general public through media

• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, other public information materials and reports.
• Assist in updating a media contact list.
• Assist in keeping record and analyses of news clipping.
• Support timely and accurate communication with journalists.
• Assist in coordinating and cooperating with JCU as necessary in terms of engaging with media.

7. Conduct advocacy and communication activities with other partners in Japan

•  Assist in conducting advocacy and communication activities with partners in Japan including NGOs, academia, youth, and other UN agencies.

 Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)         

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)
• Following instructions and procedures (II)

Qualifications of successful candidates

• Completion of secondary education. University degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing as an asset.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible work experience in communication, donor relationships, advocacy and fundraising, media (including print and broadcast media or interactive digital media), and/or public relations.
• A high level of proficiency in both written and oral languages of English and Japanese is required.

Duration of contract

The initial contract will be issued for 1 year.  Based on the job performance, the contract will be extended. 

How to apply

Applicants must submit an application letter in English with a curriculum vitae in English and Japanese through this platform by 11 December 2017. 

Only qualified applicants will be short-listed and notified for further screening and interview.