Consultancy: Communication Specialist, Gender Section, PD, NYHQ, Requisition #511336

The Gender Section is seeking a Consultant to support strategic public facing engagement. This role will include ongoing identification of the most strategic visibility opportunities in 2018, support for production of required communication assets, and coordination with the internal facing knowledge sharing team. This collaboration will also require close collaboration with the Division of Communications, Private Fund-raising and Partnerships and other core members of the extended gender team. UNICEF is rapidly ex-panding its advocacy and campaigns to have a more explicit and intentional focus on girls, so understand-ing and shaping these efforts to align to programming results will be important. The production of specific deliverables described below are envisioned to improve and scale visibility and advocacy of UNICEF’s gender equality programming efforts in line with the GAP, and engage existing and new partnerships.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background & Rationale

In January 2018 UNICEF launched implementation of its Gender Action Plan 2018-2021, which is an ambitious effort at catalysing field level programming and institutional results that advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in key areas of UNICEF's work. The GAP programmatic framework defines a twin-track approach: 1) integration of select gender-equitable outcomes focused on improving the lives marginalized girls and boys, women and the care ecosystem for children and 2) specification of five “targeted gender priorities” focused on empowering adolescent girls, which includes maximizing the coherence, overlap, and efficiency in related interventions and resources. To achieve all programming efforts at scale, quality data and innovative solutions- including new technologies, new financial models – that challenges shortcomings and expands reach on how things have been done in the past must be pursued.

Purpose

The Gender Section is seeking a Consultant to support strategic public facing engagement. This role will include ongoing identification of the most strategic visibility opportunities in 2018, support for production of required communication assets, and coordination with the internal facing knowledge sharing team. This collaboration will also require close collaboration with the Division of Communications, Private Fundraising and Partnerships and other core members of the extended gender team. UNICEF is rapidly expanding its advocacy and campaigns to have a more explicit and intentional focus on girls, so understanding and shaping these efforts to align to programming results will be important. The production of specific deliverables described below are envisioned to improve and scale visibility and advocacy of UNICEF’s gender equality programming efforts in line with the GAP, and engage existing and new partnerships.

Expected results: (measurable results) 

• Work collaboratively with the gender section senior management team, Division of Communications gender focal point, the extended gender core team and other communication focal points in NY to map and implement strategic 2018 opportunities for public facing engagement, including with the general public and the specific international development and humanitarian ecosystem.
• Create and support creation of compelling public-facing content to be distributed through multiple platforms, including web stories, blog posts, photo essays, presentations, public speaking engagements, Facebook posts, Twitter campaigns, and videos. The content will draw attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s gender work, encouraging public support, participation and action, as well as ensuring greater partnership and fundraising. Consistent engagement with the gender section knowledge management and sharing team will be important for synergy of content creation.
• Distribution via digital platforms such as UNICEF.org, UNICEF Connect, YouTube; other public news media and development- focused outlets (including peer reviewed journals and conferences); as well as via in-person fundraising and partnership pitches.

Duty Station
Home based in New York area with at least half-time in the office

Timeframe
Start date:  1 May 2018
End date:28 February 2019 

Key competences, technical background, and required experience 

The successful candidate will possess:

• Advanced university (Master's) degree in communication, marketing, advertising, journalism or equivalent professional work experience in the print and broadcast media communication area
• A Minimum 10 years of experience with at least 5 in creative communications strategy, campaign development and advocacy
• Have superior writing, analytical, and outreach skills
• Previous experience with gender and international development issues highly preferred
• A passion for translating UNICEF’s gender equality programming to external audiences in meaningful and creative ways
• Fluency in written and spoken English required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• Foundational competencies required: commitment, embracing diversity, integrity, self- awareness and self- regulation, teamwork, and drive for results.
• Advanced ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written form; specific skills in writing stories, presentations, talking points and editing
• Knowledge and understanding of social issues especially those affecting women and children
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Fluent knowledge of computer applications related to writing, packaging, social media. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.   
At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization