Communication Specialist (Emergency), P3, Temporary Appointment (364 days), Kabul, Afghanistan

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, Care

Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2 

UNICEF in Afghanistan:  https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/

How can you make a difference?

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, nutrition, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the job:

In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the CO communication section is seeking a communication specialist with experience working in fast-evolving emergency context. The emergency communication specialist will be supporting the CO communication team with public advocacy, content gathering and communicating on the humanitarian situation facing children in Afghanistan.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Media relations:

Ensure that communication section has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience.

Duties & Tasks

• Promote a better understanding of respect and support for children’s and women’s rights and issues by carrying out media, information and education activities in support of UNICEF-assisted humanitarian efforts and development programmes.
• Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database, and maintain a log of media engagement conducted by the Country Office.
• Establish, document, review and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc.
• Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, National Committees, NGOs, and other appropriate audiences.
• Identify, develop, distribute and evaluate variety of media materials in multiple, appropriate formats. Ensure or enhance the quality, appropriateness of country specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages transmitted to the press, partners and public.
• Collaborate with mass media through activities such as organizing site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor the situation in Afghanistan for input to key messages and Q&As and collaborate with programme and communication colleagues in keeping all such materials updated and accurate.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings.
• Contribute to building the capacity of the national team members in comms-related skills.

Content Development:

Identify and develop themes for development of a range of communication materials – social media, Human Interest/feature Stories, web stories, photographs and videos. Research and draft where appropriate, identify and collaborate with consultants where appropriate on content development.

Duties & Tasks

• Identify appropriate needs, results and donor-related themes for development and dissemination of communication materials.
• Research and draft stories, including photography
• Edit photographs, stories, blogs, and field diaries supplied by UNICEF staff.
• Manage processes for contracting and working with consultants such as writers, photographers and videographers.
• Plan and execute content development visits across Afghanistan, with Field Offices.
• Support UNICEF Afghanistan social media presence.

Resource Mobilization Support:

Ensure that fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication activities.

 

Duties & Tasks:

• Mobilize communication capacity to support/facilitate the gathering of content and coverage of relevant programme efforts, including donor visits. Use the opportunity to identify/highlight effective programme activities and results in support of fund-raising.

 

Management:

Ensure that financial resources are both effectively managed and optimally used.

Duties & Tasks

• Plan and monitor the use of communication budgetary resources. Monitor the overall allocation and disbursement and liquidation of funds. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of funds.
• Identify and supervise technical resources and consultants as necessary. Conduct and implement effective performance planning, monitoring, performance development programme as required.

Non-Emergency Communications:

Support the Afghanistan Country Office non-emergency communications as required

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

Education: Advanced university Degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or related field (or an undergraduate degree with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.)

Experience: 5 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media. Background/familiarity with emergency situations

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Learning and researching (2)
• Planning and organizing (2)

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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female candidates to apply to this post and become a part of the organization.

Candidates found to be suitable but not selected for this post will be placed in the relevant group for 36 months and considered for similar employment opportunities in the future.