Consultancy: Communication Specialist - Content Strategy, DOC - NYHQ, Requisition# 525429

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.

The Global Content Strategy (GCS) section within the Division of Communication plans, develops and produces UNICEF communication content -  from flagship publications to photography and online videos - for key initiatives and priority campaigns. We manage the quality and consistency of communication content as a strategic asset across platforms and facilitate and provide guidance in the development of efficient and effective communication content across the organization. The section's expertise encompasses strategic content planning, video production, photo curation, writing, editing, fact-checking, proofreading, translation and graphic design, in line with UNICEF's communication and advocacy objectives.

How can you make a difference?

The Global Content Strategy Section seeks to hire a full-time Communication Specialist - Content Strategy to facilitate the design and development of a comprehensive, organization-wide content strategy approach, along with associated plans, tools, and processes. In addition, the Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will work closely with the Chief of Section to design content planning and coordination processes, and to strengthen project management and budget management processes across the section.

The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will help the organization to move to more efficient and effective content planning, development and production, that contributes directly to the achievement of results for children, at global and national levels.

A successfully designed and implemented Global Content Strategy will mean that:

• UNICEF consistently plans, develops, and produces compelling creative content that contributes directly to the achievement of priority advocacy and communication objectives for children
• UNICEF's human and financial resources for content planning, development and production are utilised as efficiently and effectively as possible
• UNICEF staff at global and national levels have the skills, tools, best practices, and normative guidelines to plan, develop, produce and fully utilize compelling content
• UNICEF content is actively curated, archived, and promoted for full and effective utilization at global and national levels
• UNICEF's communication and advocacy campaigns and initiatives effectively mobilize the support of decision makers and the public for child rights

The consultancy is not expected to include travel.

Description of Assignment & Expected results: (measurable results)

• Under the close guidance and leadership of the Chief of Section, the Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will drive and facilitate the ongoing development of a working Global Content Strategy for UNICEF
• The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will be responsible for the development of a project plan for the development of a Global Content Strategy and associated processes and documentation. These will include a situation and needs analysis, a strategy document, and a business case for recommendations made, and associated internal communication materials.
• In close collaboration with supervisor and relevant colleagues, the Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will design and oversee content planning and coordination processes in support of the implementation of the global strategy; to strengthen content planning and collaboration across the pillars of the Global Content Strategy section, the Division of Communication, and with Country Offices and National Committees
• The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will facilitate the development of issue- or campaign-specific content strategies developed for priority communication and advocacy campaigns and initiatives. Also support the ongoing management, facilitation, and monitoring of the implementation of these content strategies
• The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will develop a project plan for capacity building in strategic content planning and development, at global and national levels. Also providing support to Country Offices and National Committees in the design and local delivery of effective content strategy.
• The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will support strengthened project management, and improved planning and coordination of the work of the section, through the iterative optimization of the section's management systems.
• In close collaboration with Chief of Section, the Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will strengthen and support planning, monitoring, and ongoing management of financial resources to ensure effective delivery of agreed results.
• The Communication Specialist - Content Strategy will facilitate the design of monitoring and reporting systems for the delivery of a global content strategy, including the consolidation and preparation of monthly, and annual reports of the work of the section.

Reporting requirements (If applicable)

• Monthly reporting on work completed to be submitted on the last working day of the month
• Final project report to be submitted on last day of assignment period
• Other reports as per deliverables

Duty Station:  NYHQ

Travel The consultancy is not expected to include travel.

Timeframe 

Start date:  1 September 2019 End date: 15 August 2020

Key competences, technical background, and experience required:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, management, communication management, project management, or other related discipline, or equivalent work experience in progressively responsible roles in a related and relevant field
• A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
• Five years of relevant work experience in communication management, project management, business management or other related fields
• Professional experience in the context of strategic communication design and management, content strategy and management, or creative services
• Strong understanding and professional experience of strategy development, proposal / business case development, research and data analysis, work planning, workflow design, budget management, and project management systems
• Experience in budget planning and management, and associated tools
• Skills and experience in practical project management of complex projects involving multiple stakeholders is desirable
• Understanding of results-based management, and the principles and practices of good monitoring and reporting will be an asset
• A professionally positive, solutions-oriented approach
• Strong team work and networking skills
• Driven to produce results to deadlines and to a high level of quality
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is an asset.

Health Insurance

Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance. Consultants and individual contractors who are required to travel beyond commuting distance to duty station(s) with hardship ratings other than H and A shall also certify that their medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. (DHR/PROCEDURE/2018/005, para 36)

 UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations and reflect it as part of their bid for the assignment (DHR/PROCEDURE/2018/005, para 66).

 ONLY, in case of unforeseen official business travel, actual cost, including the visa fee, vaccination will be reimbursed in accordance with UNICEF Policy/procedure on official travel.

 At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage and the consultant must provide proof of health insurance.

Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. (DHR/PROCEDURE/2018/005, para 67)

VISA REQUIREMENTS

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.     

FEE

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above  application submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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….

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:

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