Readvertisement: Communication Specialist (Global, Donor & Digital Outreach), P3, FT, Niamey, Niger #110815

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, hope

Over the past year, Niger Country Office has experienced a growing demand for communication, which includes the facilitation of donor and international media visits, the increasing visibility requirements of donors, as well as the production of materials for external use to inform donors and visitors, advocate for children’s issues, and raise resources.

Also, Niger Country Office actively participated in various international public advocacy initiatives, that helped the office expand its leadership and reshape its model of engagement with stakeholders at country level.  By adapting global campaigns into local context, UNICEF has not only expanded its reach but also inspired decision makers and local audience in a new narrative in which everyone found resonance, purpose and perspective. 

To respond to this increased demand and given the multiple communication initiatives throughout the new programme cycle 2019-2021, UNICEF Niger has identified an imminent need for dedicated support to help facilitate global and digital outreach, produce a series of multimedia materials and ensure quality control of both internal and external communication and advocacy materials.

UNICEF Niger is seeking a communication specialist, with experience in developing communication material that can clearly convey UNICEF’s programme work and facilitate a broad range of partnerships. In addition, the Communication Specialist will support UNICEF Niger’s effort in strategically showcasing the organization’s work through digital and social media, as well as expanding digital initiatives for youth engagement.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication, the incumbent of the post will provide professional communications support in delivering effective global, donor and digital outreach.

Effective global and donor outreach and participation to the Cause Framework:

• Support the office in organising and facilitating planned donors (including UNICEF national committees) and international media visits within the period of assignment. This includes the coordination with programmes and field offices, the development of briefing materials (including field notes) and the facilitation of the field-visits.
• In line with the internal donors’ visibility plan, produce a series of human interest stories, media (including press releases) and other multimedia materials to highlight the impact of UNICEF interventions in the country and ensure that all the required donors’ visibility items are timely produced (stickers, banners, etc.).
• Prepare, review, and edit programme-related overview briefs – including the production of factsheets, Q&A and visual materials to support UNICEF’s donor-targeted advocacy efforts
• In close coordination with the UNICEF Global Digital Strategy Section (DSS/DOC) and other relevant offices, ensure the participation of the Country Office (CO) to the UNICEF Global Cause Framework.

Effective digital outreach and digital initiatives for youth engagement:

• Play a leading role in establishing and refining UNICEF’s editorial style and voice on digital platforms and lead an audience driven social media strategy for the country office
• Responsible for the weekly and monthly social media content management schedule, working closely with the Digital Communication Officer to implement. Contribute to and help guide wider digital editorial plans with programme section and field offices colleagues.
• Coordinate the production of a series of products designed for social media channels (infographic, short video, etc.)
• Support the office in identifying and recruiting digital influencers and create conversations around issues related to UNICEF Niger mandate, keeping its digital community engaged in dynamic, interactive and meaningful ways.
• In close coordination with the Digital Communication Officer, conceptualise and pilot digital campaigns with the aim of generating conversations around children’s rights and UNICEF advocacy priorities.
• Foresee and analyse risks as they relate to digital engagement and protecting the UNICEF brand.

Capacity building:

• Conduct regular in-house trainings with programme colleagues (Niamey CO and field offices) on how to produce human interest stories, high end-quality photography materials and social media assets.
• Provide strategic guidance to communication and programme team to ensure a better amplification of our messages through digital platforms (#UNICEFConnect, #ActivateTalk, #TeamUNICEF, #VoicesOfYouth, #DigitalMapping, etc.).

Monitoring and evaluation:

• Support the Communication section in undertaking regular monitoring and evaluation activities on digital and social media according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts.
• Keep track of efforts and activities from other UN agencies, non-profits and competitors.

• Track and report on all digital metrics, including website and social media.

Innovation:

• Be an active participant of the UNICEF Niger innovation taskforce and identify new opportunities and innovative approaches to continually improve our presence across digital platforms to deepen engagement with supporters.

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

• Advanced university degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences or other related field. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• At least five years of relevant work experience. Relevant UN or NGO experience is an asset.
• Experience in digital and social media content creation for different target audiences and platforms is required.
• Proven experience in producing curate high-quality photography for media, print publications, web is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator) is an asset.
• Experience in production, post-production, and editing of videos is an asset.
• Fluency in English and French is essential, both writing and speaking; excellent drafting skills as well as oral presentation skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness ;
• Works Collaboratively with others ;
• Builds and Maintains Partnership ;
• Innovates and Embraces Change ;
• Thinks and Acts Strategically ;
• Drives to achieve impactful results ;
• Manages ambiguity and complexity ;

The functional competencies required for this post are…          

• Persuading and Influencing ;                       
• Applying Technical Expertise ;    
• Entrepreneurial Thinking ;

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.

Remarks:

* 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.