Communication Officer, NO-B, Temporary Appointment, For 364 Days, Kabul, Afghanistan

The European Union and the United Nations are implementing the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) in Afghanistan main goal is to reduce the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices (HP) against women and girls in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan SI initiative targets the most at risk groups, to accelerate efforts towards the elimination of sexual gender-based violence and harmful practices. The initiative is tailored to promote Agenda 2030’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind”. Across the six Pillars, the SI in Afghanistan will bring women and girls including those with intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization to the centre of the interventions. The design of the SI is recognizing that the empowerment of women and girls, and their unique experiences in bringing solutions based on their inter-sectionalities ;is the key to design and implement a programme that responds to the needs and priorities of women and girls of Afghanistan in all their diversity. Under the guidance of the Gender Manager, and in coordination with the Chief of Communication and Advocacy , the Spotlight Communications Officer will support and guide the development and implementation of the Spotlight communications and visibility strategies, as well as Social and Behavioural Change communication (SBCC) activities. The Spotlight Communications Officer will work closely with all participating UN agencies to the Spotlight Initiative through coordination with the UN Communications Group (UNCG), the Spotlight Core technical Team, and the UN Gender Working group. This includes coordinating Spotlight-specific communication capacities and resources, training, gathering data and feedback, developing tools and guidelines, supervising consultants, and reporting.

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 Hero

How can you make a difference?

The European Union and the United Nations are implementing the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices.  The Spotlight Initiative (SI) in Afghanistan main goal is to reduce the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and harmful practices (HP) against women and girls in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan SI initiative targets the most at risk groups, to accelerate efforts towards the elimination of sexual gender-based violence and harmful practices. The initiative is tailored to promote Agenda 2030’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind”. Across the six Pillars, the SI in Afghanistan will bring women and girls including those with intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization to the centre of the interventions. The design of the SI is  recognizing that the empowerment of women and girls, and their unique experiences in bringing solutions based on their inter-sectionalities ;is the key to design and implement a programme that responds to the needs and priorities of women and girls of Afghanistan in all their diversity.

Under the guidance of the Gender Manager, and in coordination with the Chief of Communication and Advocacy , the Spotlight Communications Officer will support and guide the development and implementation of the Spotlight communications and visibility strategies, as well as Social and Behavioural Change communication (SBCC) activities.  The Spotlight Communications Officer will work closely with all participating UN agencies to the Spotlight Initiative through coordination with the UN Communications Group (UNCG), the Spotlight Core technical Team, and the  UN Gender Working group. This includes coordinating Spotlight-specific communication capacities and resources, training, gathering data and feedback, developing tools and guidelines, supervising consultants, and reporting.

Key accountabilities, duties and tasks:

1. Spotlight communication strategy
    

•  Lead implementation of  a comprehensive and SMART communication and visibility  strategy and its corresponding plans, ensuring a gender perspective; 
• Cooperate and coordinate with Spotlight initiative UN agencies, keeping them engaged and informed of strategy and actions;
• Track progress against established work plans and outputs;
• Support the Spotlight M&E Specialist to monitor and evaluate communication and visibility initiatives.

2. Digital strategy:

• Develop a digital strategy and its relevant monthly plans as per key global, regional and national milestones and events
• Design and implement high impact communications’ assets for online and offline use;
• Design and maintain a digital presence, including robust social media footprint for the Spotlight Initiative
• Capitalize on the U-report for engagement with young people, by using the platform to disseminate information on the spotlight, and soliciting youth views

3. Media outreach and content management:

• Engage with media to enhance awareness to the Spotlight
• Liaise with media and respond to inquiries and information requests
• Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions for press, as required
• Coordinate the implementation of visibility and outreach activities;
• Plan and implement EU visibility activities;
• Draft and/or disseminate press releases, policy briefs, pamphlets, talking points, speeches, editorials, branded materials, and other written communications materials as needed;
• Manage the translation/adaption/rewriting of information received, printing and dissemination of publications and audio-visual materials, including support development and editing of videos;
• Promote and disseminate corporate advocacy materials for spotlight initiatives, publications, and campaign;
• Pitch success stories to local, regional and international media to showcase the impact of the spotlight in Afghanistan
• Monitor media coverage of spotlight assets and take necessary action where needed
• Draft quality human interest stories showcasing the impact of the programme, and manage knowledge sharing among recipient UN agencies; 
• Draft social media content and ensure strong visibility of the Programme on social media;
• Provide substantive inputs to Spotlight website;
• Ensure wide dissemination and visibility of programme achievements on a regular basis;
• Ensure respect of Spotlight branding guidelines in all communications materials;
• Keep all UN spotlight partners informed about media outreach and engagement

4. Campaigns

• Support and coordinate national campaigns, and special events
• Ensure launch of key publications and its wide dissemination
• Ensure regular communication and co-ordination with the UNICEF communication team and Spotlight UN agencies communication focal

5. Communication for development:

• Support the recipient UN agencies to design and implement coordinated C4D and SBCC campaigns and messaging across programming areas in collaboration with UNICEF C4D team;
• Assess and/or recommend appropriate information materials for C4D and SBCC initiatives,
• Ensuring accuracy, quality, and consistency with related messages and materials;
• Support  recipient UN agencies to assess the impact of C4D and SBCC activities to achieve measurable results in behavioral and social changes.
• Submit reports and synthesis of results;
• Engage with recipient UN agencies to ensure coordination and consistency in implementation of C4D and SBCC activities and campaigns

6. Management:

•  Coordinate all Spotlight communication activities with Spotlight partners.
• Working closely with the Spotlight International M&E Specialist and the Coordination and Reporting Specialist hosted by the Resident Coordinator Office, support
• Provide training and workshops on communication and advocacy;
• Manage contracts with consultancies and vendors for Spotlight communications; 
• Provide miscellaneous communications, graphic and written resource, advocacy, and coordination support to the UNCG communications team;
• Facilitate knowledge building and learning across UN agencies related to VAWG, gender equality, women’s empowerment,

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: University degree (or equivalent) in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.

Work Experience: Minimum of 2 years progressively responsible professional experience in communications, print, broadcast, and/or media and social media; At least 2 years of professional experience working on gender equality and human rights, especially in the area of VAWG; Experience in communications with of one or several of the UN agencies in Afghanistan is preferred; Proficiency in design, photography, videography, social media campaigns, or other similar skills are an asset; and Computer literate, with proficiency with office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management and knowledge management systems.

Language: Fluency in English and local language

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.