Home-based Consultancy: Media Advisor Consultant (with field travel)- ECARO- O/P Rome, Italy

ECARO O/P Rome, Italy is looking to recruit a motivated consultant whom, under the direct supervision of the Communication Assistant in Rome, Italy, and in line with the communication strategy and the objective of awareness raising, the Media Advisor consultant will ensure the co-production and dissemination of contents on new media for the Migrant and Refugee Response in Italy.

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, Protection

Since 2016, UNICEF is responding to the unique needs of adolescents and young people who are seeking asylum in Europe, on the move, stranded or pushed back. The operation established in Italy aims to provides support to the Government of Italy on children and young migrants and refugees, to ensure timely, equal and appropriate care, protection and support for their social inclusion, as part of the Regional Migrant and Refugee Response.

In Italy, UNICEF’s country office is implementing three main programmes. The Youth & Adolescent Development programme focuses on participation and skills building activities to guarantee Unaccompanied Minors (UASC) and young migrants and refugees have access to key information, have their voices heard and are empowered to take the lead and have the skills and competencies needed for their social inclusion in Italy. The focus of the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence programmes is access to key life protecting information, promotion of uptake of services, identification and referral of at-risk boys and girls to relevant services, including psychosocial assistance, GBV services and access to alternative care and guardianship. 

Scope of the work

Communication for awareness raising on the needs of vulnerable children and adolescents in Italy and on the promotion of a positive narrative has been a key feature of all 3 programme areas and has grown exponentially over the past 5 years. 

Working closely with the Communication Assistant, the consultant will contribute to the implementation of the communication strategy and plan through media co-production and resource mobilization efforts for the co-production of awareness raising contents.

Tasks under this consultancy

Under the supervision of the Communication Assistant, the consultant will undertake the following in accordance with UNICEF’s most recent global brand guidelines:

Identify opportunities to increase the visibility of the Refugee and Migrant programme through new media and streaming channels on demand on Italian and European channels (i.e. Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Discovery Channel, etc);

• Pitch stories related to RM response;
• Securing at least 2 media co-productions on relevant channels featuring UNICEF’s work;
• Support resource mobilization through the production of new communication formats;
• Support the organization/participation of a media event/opportunity if required;

The consultancy is for 100 days between 1 June 2023 and 31 December 2023, with possibility of extension. The consultant will work in close collaboration with and report to the Communication assistant of the Migrant and Refugee Response. UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Terms and conditions of payment

At the beginning of each month, the consultant and their supervisor will agree on the number of days to be worked.

All services will be delivered on an as requested basis and payment made monthly based on actual days worked. The consultant will submit a monthly invoice along with a monthly report certifying successful completion of each requested assignment.

How can you make a difference? 

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

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or related subjects
• At least seven years of professional experience in communication, print, broadcast and/or new media
• Previous professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast and/or new media– including streaming channels on demand - and journalists across Italy
• Ability to work under pressure, within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Fluency in Italian and English is required
• Media experience in the field of emergency and cooperation will be considered an asset
• Proven experience with relevant media channels and journalists across Europe will be considered an asset
• Previous experience with the work on migration issues will be considered an asset
• Previous experience with UNICEF or other UN Agencies will be considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.