UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to Hope
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
How can you make a difference?
Job organizational context
WCARO’s communication and public advocacy team aims to ensure that the regional office and country offices are equipped to carry out effective communication and public advocacy work through three integrated areas: 1. Media outreach and partnerships (Voice); 2. Story-telling through initiatives and products (Reach); and 3. Engagement with children, youth and influencers (Engagement). The team works to facilitate and create synergies, opportunities and exchange among communication staff in 24 country offices, acting as a facilitation force with headquarters, country offices and national committees to ensure coherence and consistency in the implementation of communication and public advocacy strategies that are aligned with global strategies and relevant to regional and local context.
Purpose for the job
The Communication Officer assists in planning, designing, rolling out and evaluating projects and initiatives in support of a regional advocacy and communication strategy, including the management and expansion of all social and digital media platforms, to get children’s and women’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.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.
- Communication materials
Provide communication support for key regional and global communication and public advocacy priorities, with a special focus on polio and vaccination, as set out in the work plan.
- Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the UNICEF communication guidelines.
- Gather content and coverage from the UNICEF’s communication teams in the region and repackage it for publication on the Regional Office’s digital and social media platforms.
- Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.
- Establish or maintain an up-to-date databases/libraries for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc.
- Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials.
- Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.
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Media relations
Provide effective and timely professional assistance and support in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – to communicate the story of UNICEF's vaccination programmes to a wider audience.
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Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media.
Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
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Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
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Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
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Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
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Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
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Monitoring and evaluation
Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of regional communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
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Contribute to developing a polio/vaccination advocacy and communication strategy by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analysing relevant data.
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Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
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Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the region and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
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Assist in providing feedback to DGCA on the use and appropriateness of global communication materials such as publications, images and multimedia products.
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Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.
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Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences as directed by supervisor.
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Celebrities, partners and special events
Ensure that the Regional Office’s contact lists of individuals, groups and organizations are maintained and developed and activities are organized to keep them engaged in support of UNICEF’s regional advocacy and communication objectives.
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Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote UNICEF’s goals.
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Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with partners, groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
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Maintain and update partner contact lists/database for the regional office.
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Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.
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Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, Goodwill Ambassadors, donors, National Committee representatives and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.
Impact of Results
- Story-telling through Initiatives and Products (Reach): Greater support for the cause of children is achieved through the creation and dissemination of inspiring, people-centred communication products and initiatives that show what can be achieved if we invest in children and youth – and how it can be achieved with children and youth.
- Media Outreach and Partnerships (Voice): Greater consciousness of key external audiences on the importance of equitable investments in children is achieved through the generation and dissemination of credible, evidence-based information and knowledge to global, regional and national media.
- Engagement with Children, Youth and Influencers (Engagement): Greater engagement with children, youth and key influencers is achieved through digital and mass-media platforms that amplify their voices and ideas about solutions and challenges• Story-telling through Initiatives and Products (Reach): Greater support for the cause of children is achieved through the creation and dissemination of inspiring, people-centred communication products and initiatives that show what can be achieved if we invest in children and youth – and how it can be achieved with children and youth.
• Media Outreach and Partnerships (Voice): Greater consciousness of key external audiences on the importance of equitable investments in children is achieved through the generation and dissemination of credible, evidence-based information and knowledge to global, regional and national media.
• Engagement with Children, Youth and Influencers (Engagement): Greater engagement with children, youth and key influencers is achieved through digital and mass-media platforms that amplify their voices and ideas about solutions and challenges in their communities and provide opportunities for dialogue to advocate for change.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
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University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.
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Two years practical professional work experience in communication, especially digital, broadcast or multimedia.
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Field work experience.
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Background/familiarity with emergency situations is an asset.
- Fluency in English and French.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The 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
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
