National UN Volunteer Communication Officer, Basra, UNICEF Iraq (open to Iraqi nationals only)

The UN Volunteer will act as a focal point for the Communication and Advocacy Unit in UNICEF Basra Field Office, liaising with programmes and partners and ensuring all UNICEF communication and advocacy priorities, as well as branding guidelines, are reflected in UNICEF work in the field. This National UNV assignment is open to nationals of Iraq only.

Mission and objectives
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

UNV and UNICEF have designed the YOUNG WOMEN TALENTS IN MENA initiative, aimed at promoting more diversity within UNICEF Workforce in MENA region.
Embarking on a new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNICEF continues its effort to build a child- and youth-powered organization. While UNICEF has been strategically engaging Youth and Women in the programmatic context, it has not fully leveraged to engage these groups in Country- and Regional- levels.

To enhance the mechanisms for Youth Engagement and Gender Parity, UNICEF MENA and DHR will develop a youth-oriented programme in collaboration with the UN Volunteer programme, as a cost-effective talent solution to engage young professionals, while supporting their professional growth for a successful career at UNICEF and the UN System in general. Based on the Region’s specific needs, the programme will initially target female candidates and nationals of MENA countries.

In order to support the implementation of this initiative, as well as to foster knowledge about UN Volunteers among different UNICEF Operations in the Arab Region, UNICEF and UNV ROs agreed to dedicate a capacity (National UN Volunteer) to the UNICEF Regional Office for one year to coordinate the partnership efforts.

Context
As part of her work for the C&A Unit, the UN Volunteer will act as a focal point for the Communication and Advocacy Unit in UNICEF Basra Field Office, liaising with programmes and partners and ensuring all UNICEF communication and advocacy priorities, as well as branding guidelines, are reflected in UNICEF work in the field.

As part of her assignment, the UN Volunteer will visit regularly UNICEF-supported projects in Basra, Dhi Qar, Misan and Muthanna Governorates. In addition, the UN Volunteer will take full part in all planning, coordination and monitoring activities of the Communication and Advocacy Unit, and in all those exercises and events from the office deemed applicable.

While supervised directly to the Communication and Advocacy Chief, the UN Volunteer will be regularly reporting to the two Communication Specialists sitting in Erbil and Baghdad, in order to ensure field office activities are in line with the overall country priorities established by UNICEF.

Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Communication and Advocacy of UNICEF in Iraq , the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
- Act as focal point of the Communication and Advocacy Unit in the UNICEF Basra Field Office
- Produce donor visibility materials including videos, social media posts and human interest stories in line with the Donors´ Communication and Visibility Work Plans.
- Create awareness on the project progress, results and on major project activities/events focusing on the stories of children/families positively impacted by UNICEF projects.
- Create video series and annual newsletter summarizing key achievements and sharing produced content to show the transformative impact of the work.
- Coordinate with professional photographers and videographers to document key activities.
- Engage with digital and offline influencers to promote UNICEF programmes, campaigns and priorities for children rights in Iraq.
- Support UNICEF advocacy work, including internal coordination with other UNICEF sections as well as with UNICEF partners.
- Media and social media monitoring at local and regional level.

Requirements
- 3 years of experience in Communication, social media, or any related field
- Deep knowledge of social media, including management of social media tools, and up to speed with the latest trends and dynamics in social media.
- Knowledge of design tools and/or audiovisual software
- Capacity to turn complex topics into concise and clear texts
- Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking skills will be considered an added advantage
- Age: between 24 and 32 years old

This initiative is aimed at promoting women inclusion into UNICEF workforce.

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

Remarks
- 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’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
- 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.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
- Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.