Digital Engagement Specialist, P3, Fixed Term Appointment, ECARO Geneva, Switzerland Post # 18606

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia is looking for a Digital Communications Specialist P3, on a fixed term appointment in our Geneva Office to expand our advocacy efforts on behalf of all children in this region through innovative digital content, but more urgently now to support efforts related to the refugee crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine.

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, commitment

This post is accountable for developing, managing and co-ordinating content, as well as digital channels and networks, implementing and monitoring and the digital communication strategy (in line with communication and advocacy goals) and associated products and activities on on-going basis with public audiences, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, priorities and programmes in the regional office, and at a global level. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Chief of Communication and a dotted reported line to the Deputy Regional Director for the Digital Media Strategy for Programming purposes, with the aim of providing Program sections with Actionable Digital Insights from analytics and social media listening services, promoting an audience centric-approach and a digital testing culture among Program Sections.  

How can you make a difference?

• Digital Communication Strategy:  Ensure that the Regional Office has a clear digital communication strategy and associated work plan to support the country programme objectives and get children’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.
• Digital content strategy:  Operationalise digital content and editorial strategy for all regional channels – define goals, target, audiences, key messages, milestones, channels, technology and performance indicators – and set up a system for monitoring online and social media mentions of the Regional Office, stakeholders and other key topics with a view to identify communication opportunities. 
• Networking and partnerships:  Ensure that the Regional Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), whose support is essential to achieving the advocacy and communication objectives of the communication strategy.
• Celebrities and special events:  Ensure that the Regional Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of appropriate, nationally-known personalities who have been identified, engaged and support UNICEF’s effort and who actively participate in special events and activities that support country programme goals.  You will also participate in global advocacy activities by planning visits of Goodwill Ambassadors, National Committee representatives, Executive Board members etc. including preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and necessary logistic arrangements.
• Global priorities and campaigns:  In addition to local/national campaigns, ensure that the Regional Office has an effective process in place for integrating and taking action on UNICEF’s global communications priorities and campaigns, both disseminating these elements in a locally appropriate way, as well as providing/enabling coverage of the work in the country for global use.
• Resource mobilization support: Ensure that global and country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective digital communication strategy and activities.
• Management:  Ensure that human resources (the digital communication team) and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) are both effectively managed and optimally used.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Ensure that digital communication baselines are established against the communication objectives and are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of digital communication and content strategy, approach and activities; results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
• Capacity building and support:  Ensure that the Regional Chief of Communication and the country programme team are provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of digital communication as required; opportunities are identified and addressed for building digital communication and content development capacity among country communication team other relevant partners.
• Social media listening services and digital strategy for programs:  Ensure that the Regional Advisors and country programme teams are provided with digital strategy and tactical advice on all aspects of digital communication and  actionable insights for key target population via digital media channels.

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

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations. Or an undergraduate degree plus at least 7 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.)
• Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in digital communication/digital content creation/digital marketing, print, broadcast, and/or new media in both international and national settings.  
• Proven experience working with social media for international organizations or in private sector. Knowledge of paid, earned and organic social media tactics.
• Proven Digital project management skills.  
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. 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 visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.