Communication Officer (Advocacy Partnership) (This vacancy is open for Indian Nationals only)

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world's thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference. The communication officer – advocacy supports the development of evidence-based advocacy messages and briefs for diverse influencers and stakeholders to promote action on the realization of children’s rights. Support key end results at both national and state level.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 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. And we never give up!

Click here to learn more about UNICEF:   https://youtube/E1xkXZs0cAQ

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE:

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, 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.

Purpose of the Job:

UNICEF aims to expand its leadership as a credible and trusted voice for children. This is undertaken through engagement with key stakeholders including the government, legislators, civil society, faith-based organizations, private sector, media, and young people etc. The organization envisions a pivotal role for strategic partnerships with these key stakeholders towards achieving programmatic outcomes/goals in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The purpose of the Advocacy role is to identify, establish, deepen and leverage organizational collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for advocacy and communication partnerships focusing on evidence-based advocacy, public engagement and policy towards supporting programmatic results.

The staff member supports with the identification of critical advocacy partners to promote and build awareness and capacity of partners and assists with effective collaboration for advocacy and communication goals. The key result is to catalyse social and policy change to the benefit of children through dialogue, engagement and strategic partnerships with networks, key influencers and decisions makers, emphasizing UNICEF’s normative, convening and coordinating roles.

The communication officer – advocacy supports the development of evidence-based advocacy messages and briefs for diverse influencers and stakeholders to promote action on the realization of children’s rights.

Assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives in the country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

The staff member will support key end results at both national and state level.

KEY END-RESULTS

• Advocacy and Communication strategy: The production of advocacy and communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support country advocacy and communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities, and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.
• Evidence-based advocacy and communication:  Ensure that the Country Office has a well maintained and continually updated set of strategic, cost-effective and user-friendly evidence-based advocacy and communication messages, materials and products that support country programme goals.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
• Partner engagement: To ensure that the Country Office’s network and contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), is maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives, and also those who engage in child rights advocacy and participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals.

Key functions/ accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

The incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

1. Advocacy and Communication materials

Ensure that the production of advocacy and communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.

• Implement the tasks in the country advocacy and communication work plan and strategy as assigned.
• Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results. Develop complementary, country specific and local community materials and activities.
• Produce evidenced-based advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, Q&A, key messages, presentations etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the global brand Toolkit.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, reports, briefing notes, strategy papers other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, advocacy engagement as appropriate.
• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the Brand Toolkit.
• Establish or maintain an up-to-date knowledge management system and documentation center for advocacy and communication materials including national and state publications, reports, briefing notes, key messages, and advocacy and partnership initiatives and lessons learnt.  etc.
• Recommend appropriate advocacy and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed l materials.
• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support advocacy and communication activities.
• Scans and scouts external environment within designated advocacy partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant UNICEF staff.

2. Evidence-based advocacy and communication

Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining an updated set of strategic, cost-effective and user-friendly evidence-based advocacy and communication messages, materials and products that support country programme goals.

• Support on strategies for the development of evidence-based advocacy materials and assets that best inform, equip and influence partners, stakeholders, and decision makers. Prepare reports and briefs documenting the work with and through partnership for advocacy.
• Assist with the collection, analysis and user-friendly presentation through correct and compelling use of data, key messages and briefing material in support of advocacy and communication initiatives. 
• Contribute to strategies for the development of communication products to enhance UNICEF’s visibility, influence as well as the agencies’ normative, convening and coordinating roles with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders.
• Ensure and enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages are shared with staff and partners.

3. Monitoring and evaluation

Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

• Contribute to developing an advocacy and communication strategy by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analysing relevant data.
• Support provided to identifying and adjusting set of advocacy, communication and partnership key performance indicators and that these indicators are incorporated or fed forwarded in the Annual Management Plan, Annual Work Plan, RAM report, Annual Report etc.
• Support in developing tools and systems to capture key advocacy initiatives and advocacy partnerships prior, during and after initiatives and activities take place.
• Support plans for advocacy and partnership activities, monitors compliance and provides support and guidance to ensure objectives are met.
• Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the advocacy, communications and partnership objectives are met and the strategy is effective.
• Document and support lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences so that best practices benefit UNICEF’s advocacy communication work.
• Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of advocacy, communication and media materials. Maintain a library of targeted coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
• Assist in providing feedback to DOC on the use and appropriateness of global communication materials such as publications, images and multimedia products.
• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.
• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful advocacy and communication experiences as directed by supervisor.
• Support advocacy and communication objectives and activities through knowledge management, information exchange and building capacity of the country team. Enable appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment, and developing training and orientation material.

4. Partners engagement

Ensure that the Country Office’s network and contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), are maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals.

• Support effective partnerships with civil society, legislators, influencers, faith based organization, youth networks, relevant government institutions and others through platforms, networks and alliances  to support effective evidenced-based advocacy towards sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF programmatic priority areas and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Help organize and generate public support for advocacy initiatives, special events and activities to promote country programme goals.
• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with key influencers, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update influencer, stakeholder and partner contact lists/database for country office.
• Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of advocacy partners and stake holders and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., presentations, programme summaries, country fact sheets and evidenced-based key messages), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.
• Maintain deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders. Continues to maintain and expand UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors to build stronger relationships between UNICEF and government, other key-decision makers and civil society networks, including elected representatives, faith-based networks, think-tanks, academic bodies, professional associations as well as opinion leaders. Engagement with youth groups and platforms for participation and to amplify their voices will be a key element to achieve results on equity.
• Work effectively with key stakeholders and supports the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach with the key partners, including through platforms to ensure that child rights are regularly brought up at policy making fora.
• Compile responses to ministries on questions to parliament and ensures proper documentation, monitoring and analysis. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Skills and Attributes:

Competency Profile:   

 i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

ii)  Core Competencies (Required)

• Drive for Results (I)
• Communication (II)
• Working with People (I)

iii)  Functional Competencies (Required)

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (I)
• Relating and Networking (I)
• Persuading and Influencing (I)
• Applying Technical Expertise (I)
• Learning and Researching   (II)
• Planning and Organizing  (II)

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 organisation.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Requirements of the position (QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES):-

Education:

University degree in international development, public affairs, public policy, international relations, political science, communication, public relations, or related field

Experience:

At least two (2) years practical relevant professional work experience in high level partnership management, advocacy, lobbying, external relations, liaison, public affairs, social or public policy, communication, programme or project management and/or any diplomatic related activities, preferably in an international organization is required.

International and national work experience (for IP). Field work experience (for NO).

Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of the local language at the duty station an asset.

Technical Knowledge:

1. Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

   Specific and up-to-date working knowledge of:

• Executive Board and other policy documents. 
• Executive Directives,
• Thorough knowledge of Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP)
• UN/UNICEF Policy Papers
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF
• General administrative and financial guidelines.
• Human resources manual
• UNICEF communication and other DOC guidelines
• Communication toolkit
• Brand Toolkit and Brand Book
• UNICEF Stylebook
• Ethical Guidelines on Reporting on Children

b.  Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

     General knowledge of:

• Communication practice, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
• Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• Computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.
• United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs, current events and international development issues
• Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF communication goals, visions, positions, policies, guidelines and strategies.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, including emergencies.
• UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies and approaches, including emergency preparedness.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

C. Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

• Knowledge and expertise in management, communication strategy and networking.
• Technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.

Remarks:  

• Selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a nonsmoking working environment. 

Please indicate your preferred duty station (s) in the covering letter. For more information about UNICEF India, please refer to the link below: - http://unicef.in

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