Communication Associate, G-6, Temporary Appointment, post no. 118606, ICTD Digital Core, Valencia, Spain

The Communication Associate is responsible for providing the full scope of communications, editorial and messaging support to the Communication Unit. This includes a range of communications functions such as: writing stories and creating original content; editing incoming stories from across the organization to ensure alignment with ICTD and editorial requirements; writing and editing organizational messages; helping manage ICTD SharePoint sites; designing PowerPoint, other presentation decks and SharePoint pages, etc. including basic video and photo editing.

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 overall strategic goal of ICTD is to transform and build partnerships with our stakeholders to successfully implement UNICEF programmes globally using innovative, technology-enabled digital solutions for better outcomes for children.

As part of revamping the communications strategy of ICTD in the new Strategic Plan, a heavier emphasis will be placed on delivering high-quality internal and external communications services to all sections of the division and support global communications efforts in a coherent and efficient manner. The communications strategy objectives include the following:

1. Showcase ICTD leadership working together with partners to realize the organization-wide digital transformation during 2022-2025.
2. Create buy-in and trust among stakeholders around key division priorities.
3. Raise awareness among internal and external audiences around Technology for Development (T4D) achievements and challenges.
4. Establish ICTD-specific and leverage existing internal and external channels of communication in support of the overall digital transformation strategy.
5. Create a UNICEF-loyal visual brand that includes a coherent voice and goal-oriented key messaging, supported by streamlined processes, roles and responsibilities.
6. Through engaging and relevant content, create the ICTD narrative as the driver of organizational digital transformation.

This post is instrumental to the implementation of the strategy and will specifically contribute to developing and executing it.

How can you make a difference?

The Communication Associate is responsible for providing the full scope of communications, editorial and messaging support to the Communication Unit. This includes a range of communications functions such as: writing stories and creating original content; editing incoming stories from across the organization to ensure alignment with ICTD and editorial requirements; writing and editing organizational messages; helping manage ICTD SharePoint sites; designing PowerPoint, other presentation decks and SharePoint pages, etc. including basic video and photo editing.

This Temporary Appointment reports to the Communication Specialist, P-3, and is based in UNICEF’s Digital Core, Valencia, Spain.

Key responsibilities:

• Write, edit, and review contributions from across the organization.
• Provide guidance to contributors to ensure their inputs align with ICTD and related editorial requirements.
• Support in managing social media contributions, including videos and photos.
• Write minutes for weekly meetings.
• Maintain publishing on the ICON homepage. Create and design SharePoint pages, e.g., stories, messages, blogs, and other content pieces.
• Partner closely with relevant Communication teams across the organization to collaborate on communications material creation and dissemination.
• Assist in maintaining relations with the media, including keeping a relevant roster of media contacts.
• Support managing audiovisual and other communication productions with external vendors.
• Help create and design communications materials for various audiences, such as presentations for senior management, messages, Q&As, briefing notes, etc.
• Support monitoring of the overall effectiveness and impact of UNICEF global internal communications.
• Assist in maintaining communications editorial calendar, liaising with relevant teams to schedule communications, draft content, and secure approvals prior to dissemination.
• Support monitoring of the overall effectiveness and impact of internal and external ICTD communications.
• Maintain vendor purchase orders and invoices on a project by project basis, and support procurement and contracting services management.
• Provide regular budget status updates to supervisors.
• Provide ongoing administrative team support as needed.

Duration of Contract
This Temporary Appointment is for an anticipated duration of 364 days.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Education:
• Completion of secondary level education (high school diploma) is required.
• University degree in communication, media, writing, or related field is highly desirable.

Required Experience:
A minimum of 6 years of work experience in communications, writing and editing online communications and web tools management in the development/humanitarian field is required, preferably at the global level, including experience:
• Researching, writing, and editing copy for multiple audiences 
• Writing and editing, including stories, messages, presentations, etc. 
• Implementing and managing the use of editorial guidelines

Required Skills and Knowledge:
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic environment, including ability to develop relationships and build trust with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines. Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and capacity to work long hours when required.
• Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication and audience engagement.
• Knowledge of computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, SharePoint and related applications. Familiarity with content management systems.
• Good working knowledge of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web, etc.

Desirable:
• Experience in graphics, art, animation, and visual design experience is an asset.
• Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations, including human rights issues, specifically related to children and women is an asset.

Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) is desirable.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability and the core competencies as follows:
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Candidates must be nationals of EU countries or in possession of a valid work permit. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

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.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

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