Communication Officer NOB, Maseru,Lesotho,#00112998 (Temporary Appointment, 364 days)

Assists 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.

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.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

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

KEY END-RESULTS

1.Communication strategy: The production of communication products and materials are 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.

2.Media relations: Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media print, TV, radio, web etc. in the country, to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

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. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

4.Celebrities, partners and special events: The Country Office 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 who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

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.

Communication materials

Ensure that the production of 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.

Duties & Tasks

Implement the tasks in the country 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 advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.

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.

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.

Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation centre 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.

Media relations

Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media print, TV, radio, web etc.  in the country, 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.

Identify, research and develop themes for development of a range of communication materials, such as social media posts, photo blogs, human interest stories, feature stories, web stories, photographs, videos, and others.

Update and maintain country office communication platforms such as website, face-book, twitter, you-tube with current information.

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.

Support the Ministry of Social Development and Disaster Management authority in producing advocacy materials and conducting advocacy dialogues with parliamentarians, senior bureaucrats, media and Civil Society on early warning early, action and shock responsive social protection including NISSA 

Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)

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.

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 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 communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

Celebrities, partners and special events

Ensure that the Country Office 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.

Duties & Tasks

Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals.

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.

Maintain and update celebrity 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 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.

 

Report to Communication for Development Specialist

Operates in the context of a medium-sized country office or an area office.

Accountable for communication programme implementation. The work is task- and results- oriented.

Responsible for research, analysis and evaluation of data/information to produce situation analysis, reports, and Information/communication materials. Assist in drafting, analyzing, and editing articles and human interest stories and other advocacy materials.

Assist in organizing special events in consultations with government counterparts, community and partners to support programme delivery.

Work under the general supervision of Communication for Development Specialist. The supervisor defines the parameters of assignments and outlines approaches to problem areas.  Research is carried out independently.  Work may be reviewed while in progress, and upon completion.

Incumbent operates within rules and regulations, and makes recommendations to supervisor when a deviation from guidelines or changes in procedures is required.

Supervise and follow-up on production and qualitative monitoring of information and communication materials. 

QUALIFICATION and COMPETENCIES  

Education

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

Work Experience

Two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

National work experience Field work experience 

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English and another UN language.

Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

Competency Profile  

Core Values (Required)

Care

Respect

Integrity

Trust

Accountability

Core Competencies

Communication (II)

Working with People (I)

Drive for Result(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 ]

Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required 

Specific and up-to-date working knowledge of

• Executive Board and other policy documents.
• Executive Directiives,
• 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

Common Technical Knowledge Required

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

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

• 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.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

Remarks:

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