Individual Consultancy – Communication Specialist – Generation Unlimited (GEN U), Remote Based, Six (6) Months, REQ#543740

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…

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere. Over the decades, UNICEF has worked to protect the rights of children of all ages — from earliest childhood through adolescence – and will continue to deliver for all children and adolescents under the five goal areas of the Strategic Plan. In recent years, our work to support the unique needs of adolescents has gained momentum, as the challenges facing them have come more sharply into view. The second decade of life is a time of tremendous opportunity – but for far too many adolescents, great risk and increasing challenges.

Hence, UNICEF has partnered with leading public and private organisations to launch a global partnership dedicated to expanding opportunity for young people, aged 10-24.  Generation Unlimited (GenU) is committed to skilling and connecting 1.8 billion young people to opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship and social impact. 

GenU is a catalytic Public-Private-Youth partnership that brings together leaders from governments, UN agencies, the private sector, academia, international and civil society organizations, together with young people. It is uniquely positioned to amplify the voice of youth at an unprecedented scale to deliver impact.

Under the general supervision of the Chief Marketing and Communication Officer and the direct reporting to the Senior Advisor Partnerships.

How can you make a difference?

The Communications Specialist – Gen U will be responsible for the preparation and implementation of Gen U’s communications plans in line with the goals, targets and priorities set for Generation Unlimited.

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Generation Unlimited can engage young people at scale to deliver impact. 
2. The work of the partnership is communicated effectively with key stakeholders and the public to further drive momentum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The consultant will be responsible for:

Leading implementation and monitoring of the Generation Unlimited communication and advocacy strategy

• Contribute to the development of the communication and advocacy strategy and then draw up the implementation plans in service of the strategic goals of the partnership.
• Oversee the development of communication and brand materials including developing feature and news stories, blogs and web content and managing vendors
• Provide communication support for priority Gen U events, both internal (e.g. Gen U Board Meetings) and key external events identified annually; particularly leveraging young engagement.
• Develop and track annual workplans, budgets and calendars in line with the communication and advocacy strategy.
• Ensure monitoring and reporting of the implementation, taking corrective action when and where necessary to minimize risk and maximize results.  

Coordinating partnership communication for Generation Unlimited

• Ensure a regular flow of information to grow the partnership, using communications materials (e.g. partnership tool kits, presentations, and other necessary engagement materials) to encourage commitments, dialogue and engagement.
• Work proactively with partners across GenU to identify opportunities for communication, advocacy, youth engagement and sharing information about major progress and results.

Providing support to and building the capacity of UNICEF offices implementing Generation Unlimited on messaging, branding, and youth engagement

• Provide one-on-one support, toolkits and technical guidance to countries implementing Gen U in all areas related to communication and advocacy, particularly engaging youth as active citizens.
• Design and implement capacity building and knowledge sharing opportunities for UNICEF offices

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, social sciences, business administration, management, communication, journalism, marketing or fundraising. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• 5 years of progressively responsible of professional experience in communication strategy development and implementation. Engagement with and partnership experience with the media sector is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring of results.
• Experience in operating independently and in providing advice and support on advocacy and engagement campaigns.
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as 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…

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

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (2)
• Persuading and influencing (1)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Learning and researching (2)
• Planning and organizing (1)

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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

REMARKS:

 TIMEFRAME

• Start date: Sep 15^th 2021
• End date:  Mar 14^th 2022

DUTY STATION

Home based – Remote

Payment methodology – Monthly Payment.

REQUIREMENTS

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials

• Financial proposal that will include:
  • Include a cover letter of interest and CV including their proposed fee to signify their interest in this consultancy advertisement.
  • Indicate your availability
  • your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference can be downloaded here:  https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html 
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
  • At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

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

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

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage and the consultant must provide proof of health insurance. Consultants and individual contractors are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate.

Consultants and individual contractors are required to certify that they are covered by medical/health insurance. Consultants and individual contractors who are required to travel beyond commuting distance to duty station(s) with hardship ratings other than “H” and “A” shall also certify that their medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations.  UNICEF does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for consultants and individual contractors, and consultants and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming all costs related to required inoculations, vaccinations and medical examinations and reflect it as part of their bid for the assignment.  ONLY, 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.

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.

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.