Deputy Director, Advocacy, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, D-1, New York, USA

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 Champion.

Under the supervision of the Director of the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA, former DOC), and with dotted line to the Programme Group Director, the incumbent will provide strategic guidance, quality assurance and ensure overall management of GCA to establish UNICEF as the leading advocate and brand for children and their rights across the world. 

In particular, the incumbent will guide and manage teams within the Advocacy cone in DOC to ensure the timely identification, implementation and monitoring of advocacy and communication strategies to support the achievement of organizational priorities. S/he will establish a systematic approach to identify issues of strategic importance and advocacy opportunities and partnerships for UNICEF, ensuring effective co-ordination of GCA in support of global priorities, in line with UNICEFs Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and its Advocacy and Communication Change Strategy. Emphasizing team building, s/he will promote the alignment of functions and capacities for an agile, effective and efficient advocacy and communications team. The incumbent will also maintain working relations with key stakeholders in the organization – including HQ divisions, Regional and Country Offices and National Committees – to leverage and maximize the impact of organizational assets to promote children’s issues on the global agenda

How can you make a difference?

Key functions and accountabilities will include the following:

• Assist the Director (in close coordination with the Deputy Director (Communication)) in leading and coordinating the overall work of the Division in line with the Divisional Purpose Statement.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the sections in the Advocacy cone of GCA (Brand building, Advocacy, Youth Engagement, Strategic Planning and Field Support);
• Lead GCA engagement in the roll-out of the Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Oversee the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Divisional work plan and the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy(ies).
• Create and maintain collaboration and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, including, among others, UNICEF HQ Divisions, Regional Offices, Country Offices and National Committees.  In particular, ensure close collaboration with Programme Group in all key strategic areas of relevance to PG and GCA;
• Serve as a co-sponsor of Global Advocacy Priority of Climate and Water. Provide needed senior level support to the core team working on this GAP, serve as a spokesperson for this area.
• Assist the Director in fulfilling and enhancing internal reporting mechanisms and operational monitoring and evaluation;
• As assigned by the Director, assume lead role in planning, organizing, and implementing specific activities (particularly in the areas of office management, change management and staff-wellbeing) and in cross-organizational initiatives.
• Deputize for the Director during his/her absences from the office and assist in all divisional management activities, including staff matters. Represent the Division as necessary at meetings, conferences, etc.  

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

1. Advanced university degree in social sciences, communication, international relations or related areas, or a University degree along with requisite experience.
2. Thirteen years of relevant work experience in an international development or human rights context, with proven record of advocacy and/or campaigning work.
3. Extensive management experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.
4. Extensive experience managing teams of senior technical professionals, including in high pressure environments.
5. Proven co-ordination, organizational and interpersonal skills that motivate and mobilize staff and stakeholders across different organizational units to collectively drive for results.
6. Strong abilities to communicate and persuade both in internal and external environments on strategic organizational priorities.
7. Capacity to drive change across the organization (i.e. good manager in the division; ability to reach out and partner; understanding of working in decentralized organizational culture, work effectively with other Divisions, Country and Regional Offices).
8. Fluency in English. Knowledge of another UN 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.

Competencies:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads and manages people

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf 

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.