Communications Specialist, P-3, Generic Vacancy Announcement for Middle East & North Africa

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) for the Communications Specialists Talent Group at the P-3 level in Country and Regional Office locations in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENARO).

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

How can you make a difference?

You will be responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring communications and advocacy strategies and related activities to improve the rights, survival and wellbeing of the most disadvantaged children.

• Support the development and management of advocacy and communications strategies, activities and work plans related to UNICEF’s programmatic areas.
• Support the execution of digital initiatives as well as monitoring and analysis of digital trends and their impact on UNICEF’s brand.
• Identify new opportunities and innovative practices on the use of multiple media and social and digital platforms.
• Develop and build relationships with key journalists and other influencers and act as a spokesperson to help put children on the top of the public agenda.
• Develop communication and media materials, including and media and public engagement plans.
• Create guidance and tools to implement communications and public advocacy activities and measure their effectiveness.
• Collaborate with colleagues across sections and offices to establish UNICEF’s leadership role in public advocacy and communication.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners, including youth and community advocates and other influencers to advance UNICEF’s mission.Identify, build and maintain partnerships and influence agenda setting for resource mobilization initiatives including during emergencies.Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Our ideal candidate for MENARO will have demonstrated experience and expertise in:

• Media relations
• Acting as a spokesperson for an international organisation
• Crisis communications in emergency and conflict environments

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have the following:

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in Communication, Journalism, Public Information, Public Relations, Marketing, Branding and Social Sciences or a directly related field(s);
• A minimum of (5) five years of progressive, relevant work experience in communication, media, advocacy and/or digital media role, including in international/multicultural settings;
• Proficiency in English (written & verbal) and Arabic (written & verbal) is required; proficiency in French is also desirable;
• Readiness to be assigned to any UNICEF office in the Middle East and North Africa region, including non-family and emergency duty stations;
• Good understanding of world affairs, current events and development issues;
• Prior knowledge of working for the United Nations or international aid organizations is an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.  

International Professional Staff Members are expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Remarks:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• Talent Groups at UNICEF are lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals intended for fast-track recruitment processes as positions become available. Placement in a Talent Group does not guarantee a position.