Consultancy: U-Report Digital Communication and Product Design Consultant – DOC, NYHQ – Requisition# 534724

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, a Voice!

Within UNICEF’s Division of Communication (DOC) the Youth Engagement Team works to strengthen the organization’s capacity to engage young people as advocates and campaigners for children’s rights, through our flagship campaigns and initiatives; and ensure that the perspectives and voices of young people are an integral part of our communications and advocacy.

U-Report is one of UNICEF’s flagship initiatives to engage and empower young people. It is designed to strengthen community-led development, citizen engagement and access to and use of real-time monitoring and participation platforms. U-Report allows youth to speak out via SMS and other channels – through polls and unsolicited messages – on what is happening in their communities. It provides a forum to amplify their voices through local and national media and acts as a citizen-sourced, real-time data point for key stakeholders, service providers and decision-makers about the issues being faced in communities. The platform also feeds back useful information to the U-Report participants so they are empowered to work for change and improvements in their localities themselves.

Digital engagement plays an important role in U-Report response to global shifts in the fields of communication, fundraising, advocacy and development. Use of digital media platforms helps position U-Report to expand outreach and broadens engagement around children’s rights. Effective use of digital channels for communication of UNICEF’s key messages, through relevant content, experience and dialogue, allow individuals to connect directly with other individuals or groups, as well as brands and organizations, thus creating valuable relationships with both online and offline supporters.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE
Under the guidance and supervision of the U-Report Innovation Specialist the consultant will assist and work closely with the U-Report global team in strengthening digital communication and production design, as well as integration in DOC through multimedia products, website and social media management and product design for U-Report.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Content creation:
Proactively create editorial content (stories, photos, advocacy images, contests, campaigns, audio, video, infographics, etc.) in cooperation with U-Report and Division of Communication Team and adapt for media pitching, web and social media, posting daily to respective channels;
Adapt multimedia assets for the local audience.
Work with country offices to draft blogs and stories

Social media management and website management:
Maintain a web and social media calendar and content plans of content themes and all upcoming coverage schedules according to the calendar.
Prepare social media packs for flagship events, initiatives, campaigns.
Actively engage with online audiences through social media channels.
Provide support to Senior digital manager to run Facebook advertisements for country offices.

Integrating U-Report digital into all aspects of implementation of UNICEF Communications Strategy in line with the Global Communication and Public Advocacy Strategy

Product design and coordination
User-Initiated (UI)related work
Coordination of UI Working Groups
Country-specific design sessions for COs most affected and most engaged in Working Groups. Packaging of materials produced by COs into guidance
Producing general guidance on
How to use U-Report to generate user-initiated engagement
How to use techniques developed by U-Report to work within restrictions of Messenger and WhatsApp

Other work
Support on U-Report App design process
U-Partners refresh design process
Creating Bot Catalogue on U-Report website, guidance for deploying this to other programmes.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Standard UNICEF Performance Evaluations will be conducted every 6 months and at end of contract. The performance indicators for evaluation of results will be the quality and timeliness of outputs delivered by consultant.

TRAVEL (IF APPLICABLE)

No travel is expected. In case of unforeseen official business travel, actual cost, including the visa fee, vaccination will be reimbursed in accordance with UNICEF Policy/procedure on official travel.

DUTY STATION

Remotely-based

ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME

2 November 2020 – 15 October 2021 (PART TIME)

Below is a list of possible deliverables and an estimated number of units that may be needed during the course of the assignment. Adjustments to these deliverables (type and quantity) may be necessary during the assignment.

DELIVERABLES	DURATION	DEADLINE
Content Creation: Monthly, Stories, social media posts, videos, images, infographics, photos posted to digital channels for polls going out on global and regional platforms.	Entire duration of contract	15 October 2021
Social media and website management: Monthly web and social media calendar created and adhered to; Social media packs prepared for country offices for all key events, dates, launches, etc and shared with stakeholders, where appropriate.	Entire duration of contract	15 October 2021
Integrating U-Report digital into all aspects of implementation of UNICEF Communications Strategy: Liaise with DOC focal points to ensure all U-Report communication is in line with UNICEF branding standards.	Entire duration of contract	15 October 2021
Product design and coordination: Conduct Workshops with country offices on Product design; Provide guidance and support for page layouts and navigation structures.	November – March 2020	15 October 2021
TOTAL	11.5 months	15 October 2021

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

KEY COMPETENCES, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Advanced degree in relevant field of communications, journalism, social science, or related field or Bachelors degree in similar field with at least 5 years of relevant experience
At least 3 years of work experience in communications, website and/or social media management.
Demonstrated experience in maintaining social media accounts, especially Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as experience with new media executions, preferably with a development organization
Demonstrated experience in social media paid marketing
Knowledge and understanding of local and global digital landscape and trends
Experience with graphic design, ability to create designs for digital media purposes in open source graphic design programmes, such as Canva
Ability to integrate PR/communication initiatives with social media
Experience developing compelling content to generate response from audiences online
Experience in reporting on qualitative and quantitative analytics
Ability to take quality photographs and basic photo editing skills
Previous UNICEF, UN and/or INGO experience in a similar role is highly desirable
Knowledge and experience of U-Report and Rapidpro is highly desirable
A strong, digital portfolio demonstrating user experience and user interface design.

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.

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:

VISA REQUIREMENTS
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.

FEE
Please indicate your all-inclusive fees for the services to be provided, in USD per day.
You are advised to take into consideration as part of your bid for the assignment the cost of health insurance.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

No travel is expected. In case of unforeseen official business travel, actual cost, including the visa fee, vaccination will be reimbursed in accordance with UNICEF Policy/procedure on official travel.

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.