Communication Officer (Digital), NOB, WCARO, Dakar-Senegal #22151

The Communication Officer assists in planning, designing, rolling out and evaluating projects and initiatives in support of a regional advocacy and communication strategy, including the management and expansion of all social and digital media platforms, to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

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.

For every child, hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. 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.

Job organizational context

WCARO’s communication and public advocacy team aims to ensure that the regional office and country offices are equipped to carry out effective communication and public advocacy work through three integrated areas: 1. Media outreach and partnerships (Voice); 2. Story-telling through initiatives and products (Reach); and 3. Engagement with children, youth and influencers (Engagement). The team works to facilitate and create synergies, opportunities and exchange among communication staff in 24 country offices, acting as a facilitation force with headquarters, country offices and national committees to ensure coherence and consistency in the implementation of communication and public advocacy strategies that are aligned with global strategies and relevant to regional and local context. 

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The Communication Officer assists in planning, designing, rolling out and evaluating projects and initiatives in support of a regional advocacy and communication strategy, including the management and expansion of all social and digital media platforms, to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

1. Communication materials

   Provide communication support for key regional and global communication and public advocacy priorities, as set out in the work plan.

   Duties & Tasks        

• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), 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 Communication Toolkit.
• Gather content and coverage from the UNICEF’s communication teams in the region and repackage it for publication on the Regional Office’s digital and social media platforms.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.

• Establish or maintain an up-to-date databases/libraries for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc.

• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials.
• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.

1. Media relations

    Provide effective and timely professional assistance and support in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

    Duties & Tasks

   *Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media.

• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
• Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)

1. Monitoring and evaluation

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

   Duties & Tasks

• Contribute to developing an advocacy and communication strategy by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analysing relevant data.
• 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 media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the region 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 communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

1. Celebrities, partners and special events

   Ensure that the Regional Office’s contact lists of individuals, groups and organizations are maintained and developed and activities are organized to keep them engaged in support of UNICEF’s regional advocacy and communication objectives.

   Duties & Tasks

• Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote UNICEF’s goals.
• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with partners, groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update partner contact lists/database for the regional office.
• Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.

• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, Goodwill Ambassadors, donors, National Committee representatives and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.

  Impact of Results

• Story-telling through Initiatives and Products (Reach): Greater support for the cause of children is achieved through the creation and dissemination of inspiring, people-centred communication products and initiatives that show what can be achieved if we invest in children and youth – and how it can be achieved with children and youth.
• Media Outreach and Partnerships (Voice): Greater consciousness of key external audiences on the importance of equitable investments in children is achieved through the generation and dissemination of credible, evidence-based information and knowledge to global, regional and national media.
• Engagement with Children, Youth and Influencers (Engagement): Greater engagement with children, youth and key influencers is achieved through digital and mass-media platforms that amplify their voices and ideas about solutions and challenges in their communities and provide opportunities for dialogue to advocate for change.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.

Experience:        

• Two years practical professional work experience in communication, especially digital, broadcast or multimedia.
• Field work experience (for NO).
• Background/familiarity with emergency situations.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French

For every Child, you demonstrate commitment

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

The competencies required for this post are:

Core Values

• • Commitment
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Integrity

Core competencies

• • Communication [ II ]
  • Working with People [ I ]
  • Drive for Results [ I ]  

Functional Competencies:

• • 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 ]   

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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