Consultancy: Communication/Advocacy Specialist , HIV/AIDS Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition# 515327

The overall purpose of the contract is to support the Knowledge, Advocacy and Partnerships Unit in its advocacy work with the following objectives: (1) advance the HIV and AIDS programmatic agenda for children; (2) increase external and internal understanding of UNICEF’s comparative advantage and relevance in the HIV and AIDS response for children, and the importance of HIV and AIDS in the wider UNICEF agenda; and (3) leverage advocacy for resource mobilization. The consultant will provide communication strategy, planning, content development and reporting.

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

HIV and AIDS and children is a key result area of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, and a key pillar under Goal Area 1 (together with Health, Nutrition and ECD), reflecting the importance of integrated approaches to child survival and development. Goal Area 1 aims to ensure that every child survives and thrives. It supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3 and 5 in both humanitarian and development contexts; and articles 6 and 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The HIV epidemic continues to have a disproportionate impact on children. Children under five living with HIV face the highest risk of AIDS-related death. AIDS also remains a leading cause of death among adolescents, with strong gender dimensions. UNICEF projects that if current trends continue, 1.2 million children and adolescents will die from preventable AIDS-related causes between 2018 and 2030, and 1.9 million children and adolescents will be living with HIV in 2030.

Purpose

The overall purpose of the contract is to support the Knowledge, Advocacy and Partnerships Unit in its advocacy work with the following objectives: (1) advance the HIV and AIDS programmatic agenda for children; (2) increase external and internal understanding of UNICEF’s comparative advantage and relevance in the HIV and AIDS response for children, and the importance of HIV and AIDS in the wider UNICEF agenda; and (3) leverage advocacy for resource mobilization. The consultant will provide communication strategy, planning, content development and reporting.

Expected results: (measurable results)

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Communication strategy and planning around key events and opportunities (U.N. General Assembly, World AIDS Day, Committee on the Status of Women, etc.) for use in advocacy activities with partners. Includes key message development.
• Develop and package (or repackage) communication assets (e.g., human interest stories, photography, video, animations, etc.) for use in advocacy activities and on UNICEF platforms, including web and social media platforms.
• Coordinate/collaborate with the Division of Communication (DOC), UNICEF Regional Offices, Country Offices and National Committees and the Africa Services Unit (ASU) in the development of communication assets for purposes of advocacy.
• Coordinate with writers, editors and designers in the production of communication assets for purposes of advocacy.
• Advise on the strategic use of social media for advocacy objectives; social media event planning (Instagram takeover, Facebook live events, etc.); develop new contents and repurpose existing contents including photography, video, factographs, etc., for dissemination through social media; monitor social media accounts and ensure a steady stream of activity; provide metrics in the form of a monthly report with insights
• Maintain archives of communication contents, including existing materials handed over and new materials developed, in WeShare, Dropbox or other UNICEF-supported platforms.
• Communication support to UNICEF Regional and Country Office on for purposes of advocacy, as identified in advance.

Nature of supervision

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Senior Adviser of Advocacy Specialist, HIV and AIDS. The supervisor will interact frequently with the consultant to brief on the assignment, plan on a monthly or more frequently in the lead up to milestone events (World AIDS Day, etc.), clarify deliverables, agree on processes (i.e., review/sign-off), provide feedback and comments on work in progress, etc. The supervisor will evaluate the consultant’s work and certify delivery of work.

The proposed payment schedule for this assignment is monthly payment upon submission of progress reports on completed tasks, outlined against planned outputs. The consultant will invoice at the end of every month based on the number of days worked during the month. Any deliverable not meeting the required specifications may be reworked and resubmitted at no additional cost to UNICEF.  Based on the report and satisfactory performance, payments will be certified by the supervisor.

Tasks & Expected results: (measurable results)

The consultant is expected to deliver the following key results, in collaboration with staff in the HIV Section and consultation with other sections as needed.

Timeframe

Start date: 1 September 2018       
End date: 31 July 2019

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Master’s Degree or Graduate Studies in Journalism, Communication, Public Health, Social Sciences or International Affairs, or the equivalent.
• At least 10 years’ experience of communication work (i.e., the management of communication projects, the planning and execution of communication strategy, development and placement of communication assets, social media strategy and planning, etc.). At least 5 of these 10 years will have been spent working in the context of international development. Experience working with UNICEF or within the United Nations system is a distinct advantage.
• Experience working on issues of HIV and AIDS and children is a distinct advantage.
• Proven ability to manage one’s time and to deliver work on deadline.
• Ability to work as part of a team and consultative processes; and to reflect consultation and feedback from others in the work.
• Ability to work independently and to use good judgment.
• Native fluency in English. Fluency in French or other U.N. languages is desirable. 

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.