Consultancy: Communication Consultant - Gender Equality Section, PD, NYHQ - Req # 534411

The Communications Consultant will lead on the development and implementation of integrated communications and advocacy, including strategy development, execution and evaluation related to the three priority areas in the GAP and coordinate and support UNICEF’s leadership on key gender advocacy campaigns and moments including the the Generation Equality campaign, International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism, Commission on the Status of Women.

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.

Consultancy Title:                  Communication Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Gender/PD/NYHQ

Duration:                                 7 months

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries. 

Purpose

The Communications Consultant will lead on the development and implementation of integrated communications and advocacy, including strategy development, execution and evaluation related to the three priority areas in the GAP: (1) integrating gender across all of the programming sectors of UNICEF, (2) emphasizing the well-being and empowerment of adolescent girls and (3) strengthening institutional strategies and systems to make UNICEF a more gender-responsive and effective organization, which includes improving internal and external communications around UNICEF’s gender capacity building and credentialing initiatives for staff, and for the gender development community globally.

The role will also coordinate and support UNICEF’s leadership on key gender advocacy campaigns and moments including the Generation Equality campaign, International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 Days of Activism, Commission on the Status of Women, and others as need. (S)he will collaborate with colleagues in the Division of Communications (DOC), and other core members of the extended gender team to produce and disseminate compelling content such as key messages, social media assets, web and photo stories, blogs, brochures, presentations, as well as support speech writing.

This consultancy will support to the Gender Equality Section (PD) for the following tasks:

1.         Develop and lead a communication plan and advocacy communication assets for Gender Section strategic priority of staff gender equality capacity and credentialing initiatives- including but not limited to the GenderPro project

2.         Develop and lead a communication plan and advocacy communication assets for Gender Section strategic priorities including innovation and technology solutions, adolescent girls’ skills development, and positive gender socialization

3.         Support key advocacy campaigns, calendar moments and external communications

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Start date: 19-October-2020      End date: 21-May-2021       Total: 130 working days

•           Develop a communication plan and at least 3 assets to support partnerships and advocacy on UNICEF’s gender equality capacity development and credentialing initiatives, including the GenderPro project.      Required working days: 30        Due date: 21-May-2021

•           Develop a communication plan and assets to support partnerships and advocacy on UNICEF’s Skills for Girls portfolio of work.    Required working days: 30         Due date: 15-Feb- 2021

•           Support select key advocacy campaigns and calendar moments including drafting of key messages, briefing notes and other key products.

Required working days: 20            Due date: 15-Mar- 2021

•           Support select Gender Section external partner communications including newsletters and slide decks.     Required working days: 20         Due date: 1-Aprl- 2021

•           Develop communication assets to support partnerships and advocacy on UNICEF’s work on positive gender socialization.       Required working days: 20         Due date: 30-Aprl- 2021

•           Develop communication assets to support partnerships and advocacy on UNICEF’s work on innovation and technology solutions to gender equality, including linkages to UNICEF’s leadership role in the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Innovation and Technology.   Required working days: 10         Due date: 30-Aprl- 20

Qualifications and Experience

-           Advanced university degree in a discipline relevant to the position.

-           Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience; especially with a minimum 5-7 years of experience in creative communications strategy, campaign development and advocacy

-           A passion for translating UNICEF’s gender equality work to external audiences, with a portfolio of previous work products, assets and experience specifically for gender equality results

-           University degree in communication, marketing, advertising, journalism or other equivalent area 

-           Advanced ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written form; specific skills in writing stories, presentations, talking points and editing

-           Fluency in written and spoken English required; knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

-           Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.

-           Foundational competencies required: commitment, embracing diversity, integrity, self- awareness and self- regulation, teamwork, and drive for results.

-           Knowledge and understanding of social issues especially those affecting women and children

-           Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

-           Excellent communication skills.

-           Fluent knowledge of computer applications related to writing, packaging, social media.

-           Demonstrated experience in generating buy-in and support for communications strategies or initiative is an asset

-           Fluency in English required; Knowledge of another UN language an asset;

-           Demonstrated Drive for results in previous work experiences.

Requirements:

-           Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials

-           Financial proposal that will include:

-           your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html 

o          travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.

o          Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.

o          Indicate your availability

-           Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

-           At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

-           Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

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. 

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

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.

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization.