Communication Specialist (Technical), P4, Temporary Appointment (364 days), #114756, Communication Unit (CU), UNICEF Supply Division, Copenhagen, Denmark

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, Health

COVAX is one of three pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which was launched in April by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission and France in response to this pandemic. Bringing together governments, global health organizations, manufacturers, scientists, private sector, civil society and philanthropy, with the aim of providing innovative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. The COVAX pillar is focused on the latter.

UNICEF Supply Division (SD) plays a crucial role in the global COVAX response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SD will procure vaccines for lower and lower-middle income countries as well as serve as procurement coordinator for others. Readying supply chains for COVID-19 vaccines is a multifaceted endeavor that has already commenced months before the first vaccines might become available – and builds on years of work by countries with the support of UNICEF and partners such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and WHO to strengthen immunization supply chains. It involves work to secure vaccines, but also safe injection equipment (SIEs) such as auto-disable syringes and safety boxes to dispose of syringes once used, as well as cold chain equipment (CCE) to store and transport vaccines at appropriate temperatures through to point of delivery.

How can you make a difference?

The Communication Specialist will work on all aspects of UNICEF’s Supply Division ACT/COVAX response in terms of communication and advocacy. The incumbent will work closely with the SD COVAX Coordinator and the SD Communication Manager to ensure that SD in collaboration with HQ and other Divisions reacts to all reputational risk issues in a timely manner and capitalizes on all pertinent COVAX/ACT opportunities in regard to external communication for branding, fundraising, advocacy and visibility purposes.

You will be accountable for: 

1. Own COVAX/ACT media & communications knowledge base

Stay up to date on all new COVAX/ACT developments both within SD and externally via the media and social media and raise matters, articles, risks, opportunities and other media aspects related to COVAX/ACT to key stakeholders’ attention and propose action, as and when necessary.

Keep the ACT/COVAX Q and A updated and edit as needed, reviewing on a weekly basis, based on current news and other relevant developments internally/externally.

Participate in COVAX/ACT related meetings and other key forums, as necessary, to ensure messaging and developments are sufficiently captured via comms work.

2. Develop COVAX/ACT communications plan

In collaboration with the COVAX Coordinator, the SD Communication Manager and DOC, maintains and further develops a communication plan for the COVAX/ACT work addressing key milestones ahead in terms of media outreach, social media, briefings, branding, fundraising and advocacy efforts.

3. COVAX/ACT internal & external outreach via multiple communication channels

Draft manuscripts for SD developed COVAX/ACT videos and review and provide inputs for UNICEF DOC developed videos.

Draft press releases on COVAX/ACT related matters and review and provide inputs for UNICEF DOC developed PRs.

Produce text and ideas for social media content on an on-going basis.

Write articles and stories for ICON, the Annual Report, the website, etc.

Liaise with DOC on ACT/COVAX related media work in cooperation with the SD Communications Manager

Liaise with consultants including graphic designers to produce content for web and social media

In collaboration with the SD Communication Manager, liaise with DOC as needed on content production

Generate new ideas about how to tell the COVAX/ACT story to a global audience

In cooperation with the Communications Unit and DO, prepare social media live events.

In cooperation with the Communications Unit, prepare and execute visits to SD and the warehouse in relation to COVAX/ACT.

Act as a Spokesperson on specific ACT/COVAX issues if needed

4. Any other ACT/COVAX communication work as needed.

 

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

Education

A completed Advanced University Degree (Master’s or higher) in Communication, Journalism or Public Relations (or an undergraduate degree in the above plus at least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.)

Work Experience

• Eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media
• International and field work experience 
• At least 5 years of documented experience in working on technical global public health issues for a media outlet or relevant/public health organization
• Background/familiarity with emergency situations
• Experience working on public health issues related to access to medicines/vaccines/diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries would be an asset.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in another UN language (Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish, or Chinese) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

Core competencies required for this post:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

Technical Expertise required for this post:

• General knowledge of: Communication management. Knowledge of theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
• Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations.
• Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 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:

• This vacancy announcement is open to all internal and external candidates.
• This is a temporary appointment (364 days) with possibility of extension.
• UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net/
• 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.