UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a chance. 

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

Social protection is increasingly recognized as a fundamental driver of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development In Nigeria. Despite significant policy commitments and ongoing efforts, effective social protection coverage remains limited, reaching only 14.8% of the population. Government-led programs often face challenges related to weak targeting mechanisms and identification issues, largely stemming from inadequate data systems and limited administrative capacity. Persistent challenges hinder the implementation and effectiveness of social protection programs nationwide. These include limited coverage, insufficient funding, and fragmented coordination among government agencies, resulting in low population coverage, particularly among poor and vulnerable children, women, and their families

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

• Expanding and strengthening the National Social Register (NSR) to include a greater number of poor and vulnerable populations.
• Building the capacity of government staff and policymakers at national and sub-national levels in social protection systems and delivery.
• Developing a robust policy and legal framework, including the drafting of a national social protection bill for legislative consideration.
• Enhancing the Social Protection Management Information System (SP-MIS) to ensure interoperability across key sectors such as health and education.

Advocacy and communication are central to achieving the project’s objectives, including for upstream policy engagement and influencing government and key policy makers on development and enactment of policy and legal frameworks, better financing of social protection, enhanced awareness of key policy changes required for child sensitive and shock responsive social protection system, and improved engagement of stakeholders.

• Develop an advocacy and communication plan targeting key stakeholders, including lawmakers, policymakers, civil society, and the public on advancing social protection and PFM reforms.
• Advise on branding, key messaging, and alignment with EU and UNICEF communication guidelines.
• Support the development of multimedia and evidence-based communication materials (infographics, policy briefs, videos, press releases).

• Develop and coordinate strategic advocacy campaigns
• Develop design and formulation of advocacy tools and materials
• Support implementation of advocacy activities by a CSO implementing partner with tailored advocacy tools and briefings.

• Facilitate training sessions on evidence-based advocacy for UNICEF SP CO and FOs and selected implementing partners.
• Provide coaching and technical advice to UNICEF implementing partner on how to organize media briefings, dialogues, and storytelling platforms to amplify voices of beneficiaries and champions of social protection.

1.To map out key social protection and PFM evidence and interventions (CO, FOs) and key policy messages/asks

Deliverables/Outputs:

Mapping report

Tasks/Milestone:

2.To increase skills and knowledge of UNICEF Social Policy team on evidence-based advocacy and to support development of advocacy strategy

Deliverables/Outputs:

2 days workshop (tbc on-site)

Tasks/Milestone:

3.Develop a comprehensive advocacy and communication strategy to advance social protection and PFM reforms supported by UNICEF

Deliverables/Outputs:

4.Provide technical inputs into organization of a stakeholders' forum in Abuja and across Abia, Benue, Sokoto, and Oyo states to debate the first draft of a social protection bill.

Deliverables/Outputs:

• A concept note for a stakeholders' forum
• Technical check ins on preparation and implementation
• Communication package finalized with inputs on social media posts, emails, and invitations, press releases. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: ToR_International Consulatnt Advocacy and communication.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

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  

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

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 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.

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.