Individual Contractor: Digital Communication Expert, Communication Section, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO), Geneva, Switzerland (11.5 months)

The UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) seeks a bilingual (English and Russian) digital communication expert, where possible to be based in Geneva, to manage and expand the Office’s Russian and English language digital communication channels and provide editorial planning and day to day updating of the Russian and English language Regional Office website. The assignment is foreseen to be between 15 August 2019 and 1 August 2020.

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, a voice

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:

The UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) seeks a bilingual (English and Russian) digital communication expert, where possible to be based in Geneva, to manage and expand the Office’s Russian and English language digital communication channels and provide editorial planning and day to day updating of the Russian and English language Regional Office website.

UNICEF ECARO has established a bilingual English and Russian language website: https://www.unicef.org/eca/ as well as various social media channels in both languages. The office is now focused on expanding its digital footprint to help achieve UNICEF’s advocacy goals in the Region.

The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen the Regional Office’s digital presence in both English and Russian, including through amplifying the voices of young people and leveraging digital influencers. This work will be done alongside RO and Country Offices (COs) teams, young people in the Region and partners - all with the aim of achieving UNICEF’s advocacy objectives for children in Europe and Central Asia.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Digital Communication expert will be responsible for supporting the creation and crafting of compelling digital content to engage English and Russian language audiences in a dynamic, interactive and meaningful way to help achieve UNICEF’s advocacy objectives across the Region.

She/he will help plan and implement the editorial calendar for the ECARO’s Russian and English language website and social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and OK). This work will involve curating content from COs, editing this content for regional platforms, planning and implementing social media marketing campaigns.

The contractor will also assist to “regionalize” social media content created by UNICEF Headquarters to make it directly relevant for audiences in Europe and Central Asia. She/he will be responsible for ongoing monitoring of digital key performance indicators (KPI) and web/social media analytics tools.

Working under the direct supervision of the Regional Communication Specialist, and guidance from the Regional Chief of Communication, the Digital Communication expert will be fully provided with opportunities to be creative, innovative and drive new ideas.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

CONTENT PRODUCTION AND WEBSITE

- In collaboration with the RO Chief of Communication, Communication Specialist and ECA COs Communication leads, oversee the day-to-day updating and monitoring of the Regional Digital Editorial Calendar, ensuring it is aligned with regionwide and global priorities.
- Manage the UNICEF ECARO English and Russian language website. This includes publication of new content, ensuring data/statistics are updated and other relevant content is published on time.
- Work with COs to develop human interest stories, photos essays, blogs, video and other digital materials for RO English and Russian web and social media channels in line with the Regional editorial calendar.
- Regularly come up with ideas for engaging social media content, especially those that include amplifying the voices of children and youth, working with relevant colleagues to assess feasibility.
- Actively participate in meetings, helping guide digital editorial processes.
- Help develop and implement informed, cross-platform social media and digital marketing strategies and support management to make informed decisions regarding digital strategy.
- Monitor and moderate social media channels, flagging risk and opportunities to deepen engagement.
- Identify new digital tools and best practices and how these can be most effectively applied to deepen engagement with supporters.
- Keep track of efforts and activities of other UN agencies, nonprofits and competitors.

SOCIAL MEDIA

- Evaluate and update current Russian language social media strategy.
- Implement updated Russian language social media strategy.
- Ongoing day to day management of RO social media channels in English and Russian
- Liaise closely with COs and HQ colleagues to curate social media content relevant to regional audiences
- Support on the coordination of Russian translation of UNICEF created content (social media packs, videos etc.)

DIGITAL INFLUENCER OUTREACH

- In collaboration with the RO Communication Specialist, undertake an assessment of regional digital influencers and online media.
- Based on assessment findings draft outreach strategy for digital influencers and implement with RO Chief of Communication Chief and Communication Specialist.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

- Working closely with CO colleagues to curate content and maintain the Regional “Our Voices” blog https://www.unicef.org/eca/our-voices
- Help plan and build a “Youth” section of the UNICEF ECA RO website – in English and Russian - incorporating the “Our Voices” blog and innovative tools such as U-Report and Voices of Youth.

MONITORING

- Provide monthly web and social media analytical reports.
- Monitor and measure digital key performance indicators as set out by UNICEF RO as part of the global KPIs.
- Draft weekly RO digital content updates.

OTHER DUTIES

- Perform other tasks as necessary.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

*All key deliverables will be assessed on a monthly basis using key digital analytics, primarily continued monthly growth of the Regional Office social media channels and continued monthly growth of the number of Regional Office English and Russian language website users.

- Regional Office digital editorial calendar remains up-to-date and social media and website content published on time and aligned with Regional Advocacy priorities.
- Ongoing development, implementation and testing of social media marketing campaigns.
- Social media influencer strategy developed and implemented.
- Development and dissemination of monthly web and social media analytics report.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

- Bachelor Degree, ideally in social science, international affairs, marketing or communication. Masters preferred but not essential.
- 3+ years’ experience working on social media, digital marketing and editorial production for an NGO, global company or publishing outlet.
- Experience in developing and implementing social media or digital marketing strategies required.
- Proven ability to write flawless copy in both English and Russian on tight deadlines.
- Proven copy-editing skills in English and Russian.
- Adept at using a wide range of social media platforms required.
- Experience of blogging and knowledge of best practices required.
- Experience using Drupal or similar CMS required.
- Knowledge of social media monitoring technology and can use social media measurement and listening tools required.
- Experience using Google Analytics required.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities within specified timeframes.
- Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, advocacy, negotiation, and ability to relate to a young audience.
- Strong awareness of social media communication behaviours in Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia Region, including Russian speaking audiences.
- Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time.
- Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas.
- Awareness of best practices in user experience and design.
- Experience working for UNICEF an asset.
- Fluency in both English and Russian languages (written and spoken) is required.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:

The individual contractor is expected to work 20 days a month, during 11.5 months (15 August 2019-1 August 2020). She/he will be reporting to the UNICEF Communication Specialist, Communication Section, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office. She/he will be preferably based at the  UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office in Geneva, Switzerland, although it could be possible for the individual contractor to work remotely. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

Payment will be made monthly based on submission of monthly invoices by the consultant based on completion of key monthly deliverables.
UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

TRAVEL:
This consultancy is preferably based in Geneva, Switzerland and may involve some travel. All travel expenses will be paid by UNICEF. The consultant will travel by the most direct and economical route in economy class. UNICEF will pay the daily subsistence allowance as per UN-approved rate. The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSafe certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit:
1. A CV and Personal history form (downloadable from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). Alternatively, if a candidate profile in the UNICEF e-Recruitment System is available, you may download it and submit it as part of application.
2. A financial offer, with a monthly rate in USD.
3. three samples of relevant digital work which can
include digital content, campaigns, marketing materials, strategies you developed in previous work experience.

Remarks:

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.

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.