Consultancy, Communications, 11.5 months, New York or remote

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, innovate

Child rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible. Yet the pursuit of these enduring rights takes place within a world that is in constant flux. Economic, social and political dynamics, driven by new technologies, actors and challenges, pose important tests for the current and future well-being of children.

The Office of Global Insight and Policy (Global Insight) was established in 2019 to assist UNICEF in interpreting, and engaging in, a rapidly changing world. Global Insight provides UNICEF with intelligence on a range of issues with implications for children and its work, equipping the organization to more effectively shape the global discourse with greater awareness of children’s issues, and preparing it for the future by scanning the horizon for frontier issues and ways of working.  

With dedicated expertise in seven policy areas – digital technology, human capital, governance, the environment, society, finance, and markets – Global Insight serves as UNICEF’s internal think tank, scoping frontier issues and emerging practices affecting children that may inform UNICEF’s approach.

How can you make a difference?

Global Insight (OGIP) is looking for an experienced Communications Consultant to join its Strategic Engagement Unit. In this role, the Strategic Engagement Communications Consultant will support the Unit, and in particular the Unit’s incumbent Communications Specialist, in developing, managing, coordinating, implementing and monitoring an advocacy and communication strategy of the Office of Global Insight and Policy.

 

The Communication Consultant supports the policy and editorial teams with conceptualizing and executing key communication assets (publications, videos, visualizations, etc.) in language targeted to particular audiences as well as in managing social media and webpage content, media outreach and events.

 

We are looking for a creative and motivated consultant that will help us build and support a solid communications operation.

 

Candidates will require a proven track record in achievement in communications, with an ability to transform dense policy language into appealing content for experts and non-experts alike and to produce a diverse range of communications products. Experience working with global teams and in international settings is preferable.

 

Your main responsibilities will be:

Communications Strategy

• Support the development and implementation of OGIP’s media and communication strategy and associated work plan in support of communication and uptake of OGIP’s products both internally, within UNICEF, and with external audiences.
• Support the development of OGIP’s brand, media relations and digital engagement.
• Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor key performance metrics and document the success of campaigns and content on the web, social media, traditional media, etc
• Help develop a taxonomy of stylized products, reflecting OGIP’s brand and suited to its target audience.
• Help develop clear communication baselines against which the objectives of the communication strategy are evaluated.
• Help maintain close relationship and collaboration with UNICEF’s Division of Communication as well as with communication specialists in regional and country offices.

Media and digital engagement

• Identify, develop, distribute and evaluate a variety of communication material.
• Help maintain and continually develop contact list of journalists and media outlets; develop media relations to facilitate communication of OGIP’s papers, events (workshops, conferences), Op-Eds and key messaging.
• Support OGIP’s presence in online communications and social media; provide assistance in the maintenance of OGIP online platforms.
• Support the development and execution of communication and advocacy tools (e.g., newsletter, websites, posters, brochures, pamphlets) to increase visibility of OGIP;

Networking and partnerships

• Help maintain contact list of individuals, groups, organizations, think-tanks and institutions whose support could assist in achieving advocacy and communication objectives of OGIP’s communication strategy.
• Help maintain a calendar of key global and regional events and opportunities for OGIP’s outreach in collaboration with the OGIP Partnerships Specialist.

Editorial content

• Work with the technical teams in conceptualizing and executing communication assets, including identifying appropriate formats for crafting and disseminating key messages based on analytical papers and research products, including policy briefs, presentations, short videos, and online products.
• Provide support to technical staff in close collaboration with the design team in data visualization and presentation as well as information repackaging.

Other

• Support OGIP efforts in organizing and managing events, launches of publications, seminars and conferences, and workshops.
• Keep multimedia asset libraries updated, catalogued and classified.
• Actively contribute to shaping a dynamic, collaborative office including its modalities of work and external engagement.

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

• A first University Degree in multi-media journalism, digital marketing, communication, journalism or relevant academic field of study with a strong link to communication of evidence products is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media, digital communications or digital product management is required.
• Field work or international experience is an asset.
• Proven experience in communicating about evidence products and findings to support uptake and to inform policy.
• Experienced and up-to-date with digital content and audience trends. Ability to relate to traditional and social media.
• Strong ability to write and edit external communication materials, ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Knowledge of current best practices in digital communication strategy and engagement and knowledge of best in class digital media platforms.
• Good understanding of world affairs, global trends and events and development issues needed.
• 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 functional competencies required for this post are…

Communication; Working with People; Drive for Results; Analyzing; and Applying Expertise.

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.

Payment details and further considerations

• Monthly payment, based on monthly tasks and progress reports, approved upon monthly review with supervisor.
• Consultant is responsible for his/her own health and travel insurance
• Consultant is eligible for standard DSA for all work-related travel

Remarks:

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.