Consultancy: Advocacy and Communication Specialist (Immunization) – 11.5 months – DOC, NYHQ – Requisition# 539678

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, an Immunization advocate

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in advocacy, in programmes, and in operations. UNICEF delivers change through the collective efforts of headquarters, regional and country offices by advocating for high-quality programmes at scale, harnessing innovation and collecting evidence, in partnership with governments, other United Nations partners, civil society, the private sector, communities and children. It uses these strategies to leverage wider change nationally and globally through advocacy, communications and campaigning. UNICEF also wins the support of decision makers and the public around the world to drive change, volunteer, advocate and mobilize resources for the cause of children, and works with partners to achieve an even greater impact.

Goal Area 1 of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan is to ensure every child survives and thrives. Immunization, vaccines and broader health advocacy are critical to this pursuit of this goal. In 2021-2022 there are two key focus areas:

• Firstly, as UNICEF plays a central role in the supply of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX facility, we are ramping up efforts to ensure a fast, fair and future-proof delivery – ensuring nations are supported in their vaccine roll-outs, and advocating for equitable access so the most vulnerable communities are protected.
• Secondly, in 2020 UNICEF agreed four Global Advocacy Priorities for 2021-2025. One of these priorities is to build a global movement for vaccine availability, affordability and equity, as a contribution to strengthening primary health care.  Over the next year we are finalizing our global strategy and rolling it out in partnership with Regional Offices, Country Offices and National Committees.
• Across both these pieces, we are working closely with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other key partners.
• This consultancy will support the Division of Communication Advocacy Section:
• to deliver global, regional, and national progress on COVAX and COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
• to coordinate cross-UNICEF efforts to deliver the Global Advocacy Priority strategy on immunization

How can you make a difference?

With the support of key colleagues in the Advocacy section, the consultant will be responsible for the following activities:

1. Support the development and implementation of global advocacy and communication on COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

1. Strategy:

• coordinate with key divisions to ensure an up to date advocacy strategy, including ongoing development of strategic advocacy goals, targets, tactics and messages
• identify and seize opportunities to ensure UNICEF advocacy and communications support a fast, fair and future-proof COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

2. Project Management:

• lead and project manage the development of advocacy and communications resources, assets and content (e.g. key messages; advocacy briefings; content for the UNICEF website and social media) required to deliver the strategy
• convene, chair and minute regular cross-organizational COVID-19 vaccine meetings
• ensure the smooth delivery of high-profile advocacy and communication moments on COVID-19 vaccines and monitor delivery of the workplan.

3. Knowledge management:

• maintain an up to date SharePoint site with all key resources and intel, which is easily accessible by National Committees, Regional and Country Offices
• host regular webinars to disseminate information and craft a weekly internal COVID-19 update for the Director of Communication.

2. Support the design, delivery and implementation of the Global Advocacy Priority on Immunization:

1. Strategy:
   – work closely with the Advocacy Specialist (Immunization) and the Global Advocacy Priority Co-Sponsors to help deliver a robust and compelling four-year global advocacy strategy to drive progress on routine immunization and reach so-called ‘zero dose’ children
   – provide ongoing support to ensure the strategy has a clear theory of change, is underpinned by a relevant workplan, and has broad buy-in from across the organization
   – support effective monitoring and evaluation of the strategy, ensuring it is delivering clear results for every child.
2. Project management:
   – lead and project manage the development of advocacy and communications resources, assets and content (e.g. key messages; advocacy briefings; content for the UNICEF website and social media) required to deliver the strategy and workplan
   – convene, chair and minute regular cross-organizational immunization meetings
   – ensure the smooth delivery of high-profile advocacy and communication moments on immunization and monitor delivery of the workplan.
3. Knowledge management and country support:

• maintain an up to date SharePoint site with all key resources and intel, which is easily accessible by National Committees, Regional and Country Offices
• work alongside the Advocacy (Immunization) and Advocacy (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) Specialists to provide bespoke support to key National Committees and Country Offices as they deliver key national immunization advocacy strategies and plans.

3. Provide additional strategy, content, project management and knowledge management support to the Advocacy Section and Division of Communication as required.

      Expected results

• An up to date strategy on equitable COVID-19 Vaccine roll-out and on UNICEF’s Immunization Global Advocacy Priority.
• A results framework that underpins both strategies and is aligned with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Partnership.
• New project management structures to ensure smooth delivery and accountability of both strategies.
• Regular minutes, weekly emails, and an update SharePoint site with all relevant information.
• Feedback from Country Office and National Committee colleagues that advocacy messages, guidance and tools produced by HQ are supporting national COVID-19 vaccine rollout and broader immunization advocacy plans.

Estimated start date :  1 June 2021

Estimated end date  :  17 May 2022 

Deliverables	Duration	Deadline	Percentage
Workplan for COVID-19 vaccine advocacy finalized	1 month	1 June 2021	10%
Workplan for Global Advocacy Priority on Immunization finalized	2 months	1 July 2021	10%
New structures in place for ensuring matrix management of both workplans	2 months	30 April 2022	5%
New structures in place for ensuring regular monitoring and evaluation of these workplans	2 months	17 May 2022	5%
Ongoing strategic support, project management and knowledge management.	11.5 months	17 May 2022	40%
Specific projects or activities executed as planned in a timely way and with all the requested content and quality.	11.5 months	17 May 2022	30%

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

The successful candidate will have five years advocacy and communication experience, a passion for ensuring every child survives and thrives, superior project management and written communication skills, and some knowledge of the UN system and child health policy landscape.

• A First University Degree (Bachelor’s) degree in social sciences, international relations, public policy, international development, public relations, communication, or a related field is the minimum academic requirement. 
• At least five years’ experience in advocacy and campaign strategy development and execution, preferably on both a global and national level. Specific experience on child health and immunization is an asset.
• Experience in developing clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Experience in strategic public engagement activity, based on an understanding of the target audience.
• Strong track record in writing engaging campaign narratives and delivering creative campaign tactics.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including monitoring of results.
• Experience in operating independently at a senior level and in providing expert advice and support on advocacy and campaigns.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization. Knowledge of the United Nations system or other international organizations are an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.

     Skills and attributes

• Demonstrated strong communication, presentation and writing skills are essential – a clear, concise, compelling writing style, which is adaptable for difference audiences, including mainstream public.
• Strategic thinking and critical analysis.
• Commitment and drive, with a clear focus on results.
• Positive, proactive, ‘can-do’ approach.
• Solutions-focused.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities under pressure, whilst maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Creative and innovative

     Languages

• Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is required. Other (UN) languages are considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

2. Core Competencies

• Communication [I]
• Drive for Results [I]
• Working with People [I]

3. Functional Competencies

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
• Analyzing [I]
• Applying Technical Expertise [II] 
• Planning and Organizing [III]
• Relating and Networking [I] 

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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.

IMPRTANT Remarks:

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4. At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage for the duration of the contract.

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.