Digital Communication Specialist, P-3, Erbil, Iraq #102555

UNICEF Iraq works with government and partners to strengthen the protective environment for the most vulnerable children and women, and to improve children’s access to education, safe water, sanitation, and health services. In 2017, UNICEF, along with partners, reached more than 1.4 million displaced people with life-saving water and hygiene services, helped to keep more than 25,000 displaced children learning, delivered psychosocial support services to nearly 200,000 children, and supported vaccination of more than 5.5 million children against polio. There is still much to be done. We are working against a backdrop of violence and political instability, and mass displacement has affected millions of children and families. By the start of 2017 an estimated 11 million people were in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance, around half of them children. Join our team and help us make sure every child has a champion.

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 fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a champion

UNICEF Iraq works with government and partners to strengthen the protective environment for the most vulnerable children and women, and to improve children’s access to education, safe water, sanitation, and health services. In 2017, UNICEF, along with partners, reached more than 1.4 million displaced people with life-saving water and hygiene services, helped to keep more than 25,000 displaced children learning, delivered psycho social support services to nearly 200,000 children, and supported vaccination of more than 5.5 million children against polio. There is still much to be done. We are working against a backdrop of violence and political instability, and mass displacement has affected millions of children and families. By the start of 2017 an estimated 11 million people were in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance, around half of them children.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Communications, the Digital Communication Specialist is responsible for managing UNICEF ICO's social media presence across a number of digital and social media platforms. Responsibilities include leading digital editorial processes with relevant colleagues; leading and overseeing the writing, editing, producing and distributing of compelling, dynamic, engaging social media content; developing social media strategies; making recommendations regarding the use of current and future digital and social media channels; archiving, tracking and analyzing to produce communications KPIs and relevant analysis; leading on quality content, strategy and capacity building. The post is expected to support the ICO Communications and Advocacy Strategy

Strategy, Content and Campaigns

• Serve as the lead content strategist for UNICEF ICO's social media accounts, refining and growing quality content, audiences and engagement. Plan and coordinate social media content across platforms. Identify new opportunities to continually improve UNICEF’s presence across digital platforms to deepen engagement with supporters and attract new supporters.
• Design and coordinate social media content in support of ICO Communications and Advocacy Strategy with the aim of breaking down complexities of issues and humanizing UNICEF's voice. Provide guidance and leadership on creative and strategic digital initiatives on media and social media sites including Google, Twitter and Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms as needed, and use of Portal.
• Improve our agility in reacting to and riding the waves of relevant media (or social media) moments that relate to UNICEF's mandate, especially tied to ICO priorities, mapping out a content and platform strategy to this end. Lead on emergency related social media campaigns and initiatives for UNICEF ICO’s channels.
• Lead on the creation of a weekly and monthly social media content management plan. Co-lead wider digital editorial plans and co-guide digital editorial processes and strategies with relevant colleagues of the Communications section. Coordinate with the RO, DOC and National Committees to amplify Iraq on global channels. Maintain and develop digital archive.
• Create audio-visual guidelines and content for social media and broadcast in Arabic and English to ensure consistency in digital products. Produce films and digital human interest stories in coordination with Section members/consultants. Support in production of graphics for visual reports and presentations for campaigns, donor visibility and programmes.
• Coordinate integration of efforts among external partners (advertising, media and digital agencies), and work to ensure consistency across different platforms at regional and country levels.
• Coordinate with other members of the Section to monitor and analyze the media and identify key moments (public and private) to promote the rights of children and enable UNICEF and partners to meet their institutional accountabilities
• Perform other digital communication and content duties at the P3 level as required, as well as other communication officer duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Social Media Editorial

• Oversee a small group of social media content providers and their outputs and work on digital and social media campaigns. Provide guidance and strategic direction on their social media efforts. Liaise and work with graphic designers and other specialized content providers as needed to produce social media visuals and infographics.
• Monitor social media platforms for potential risk and work closely with relevant Communications colleagues to minimize and mitigate as appropriate. Advise on matters related to crisis management in digital media and foresee and analyze risk as it relates to digital engagement and protecting the UNICEF brand.
• Review all final digital and social media products intended for external dissemination produced by the Iraq country office to ensure that appropriate language, logos and content are used.

Reporting and Trends

• Keep track of efforts and activities from other UN agencies, nonprofits and competitors. Map competitor landscape and help develop benchmarks across social media platforms. Monitor trends in digital and appropriately apply that knowledge to increasing and improving UNICEF's use of digital platforms.
• Working with relevant colleagues, provide analytics reports to management on the amount and quality of content being created and provide recommendations on what can be done to improve our digital presence.
• Stay abreast of new digital platforms, emerging technologies and software, making recommendations on future use. Where necessary assist in the procurement and project management of new digital software.

Capacity building

• Support in broadening ICO internal section knowledge of social media as well as wider digital strategies to get their buy-in. Help create training materials and guidelines as necessary. Provide technical guidance and capacity building to country team so that it is current in its understanding and application of new emerging technologies in the field of audio-visual productions.

Qualification 

• Education: An advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or Marketing.  (Or an undergraduate degree plus at least 2 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations, marketing or corporate communications.)
• Work Experience: Five years or more of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, digital marketing, broadcast, and/or new media. Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends with due consideration of geographical regional differences. Prior content strategy/management experience working with a global organization, especially working on projects of similar scale, involving multiple users and groups. Ability to shape editorial and system content planning from initial strategy to implementation and post-launch optimization. Experience sourcing and managing content development, and integrating programme and communication initiatives with visualization products. Excellent knowledge of the latest versions of the leading audio-visual and design software.Three years’ direct experience managing digital communication channels (web and social media channels). Experience overseeing a small team. Knowledge of current best practices in digital communication strategy and engagement and knowledge of best in class digital media platforms. Two years International and/or international field experience preferred. Ability to manage multiple initiatives and priorities within specified timeframes, and present and communicate new projects to a varied audience. Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy, negotiation. Knowledge of United Nations or other international aid or NGOs highly desirable. 
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English required and knowledge of the local language 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.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is 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

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.