Consultancy: Communications and Outreach Specialist, ICTD New York

The incumbent will manage the internal communications of ICTD by liaising with senior managers and technical subject matter experts to draft quality communiques that meet internal, and at times external, audiences to raise awareness of the Division and its tools and resources.

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 connected world

The overarching strategic goal of UNICEF's Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally through the use of innovative technology-enabled solutions.

This consultancy will be situated within the Strategy, Risk Management and Governance section of ICTD.

How can you make a difference?

The incumbent will manage the internal communications of ICTD by liaising with senior managers and technical subject matter experts to draft quality communiques that meet internal, and at times external, audiences to raise awareness of the Division and its tools and resources. 

In this capacity, the incumbent must provide credible and reliable communications and guidance and take the initiative to ensure the impact of the Division is clearly and concisely communicated, including various implementations and strategic directions.  Incumbent must have the ability to take highly technical information and jargon and be able to distill or communicate it in a plain language way.

This consultancy will be for a period of 11.5 months and will be based at New York Headquarters. 

Key Expected Results:

• Develop and execute Division’s strategic communication plan;
• Ensure the communication strategy is consistent and articulates ICTD’s strategic business vision;
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders in all HQ and regional offices;
• Identify, arrange and manage opportunities for key staff to interact with stakeholders;
• Update and execute communication and stakeholder engagement plans, utilizing an appropriate mix of communication and engagement channels to interact with and gather feedback from UNICEF Staff;
• Work with stakeholders to understand pain points and identify reasons for lack of engagement or adoption of ICTD products and services;
• Draft and publish Divisional communications in various formats translating technical information into plain language (e.g. reports, presentations and videos, FAQs); review materials produced by Division members to ensure alignment with the overall messaging framework and effective communication;
• Draft and publish training and outreach materials as needed;
• Maintain the Division’s communication sites;
• Draft communiques and advise the CIO regarding key messaging;
• Support the ICTD management team during meetings and other events;
• Provide support for the transition and transformation of the ICTD workforce;
• Other tasks at the discretion of the CIO.

Key Deliverables:

• Update existing communication materials;
• Create and maintain a list of upcoming engagement opportunities for key staff;
• Create and maintain a list of external publication opportunities for key staff like podcasts, blogs, news outlets etc.;
• Divisional CIO and ICTD management communiques, ICON stories and other assets to communicate Divisional updates to stakeholders, minutes of meetings from governance bodies;
• Maintain up-to-date content on the communication sites;
• Timely response or follow-up to questions and requests coming in through the generic email addresses and other means of communication.

Required skills and experience:

• Advanced university degree in communications, international relations or another relevant field is required. A bachelor’s degree in communications or related field in combination of additional two years of relevant experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: communications or advocacy, of which at least three (3) years at the international level
• Strong attention to detail, data driven and results oriented;
• Proven ability to create content and craft key messages;
• Ability to produce editorial content in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to present highly complex arguments, information and ideas in an easy to understand and memorable fashion;
• Ability to influence at all levels of the Division;
• Ability to juggle a heavy workload with competing priorities.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Additional UN languages, particularly French and Spanish, will be considered an asset. 

Evaluation Method:

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant or vendor whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical skills and financial proposal specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]

Financial Criteria weight: [30%].

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. 

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.

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