Open Call – Communications Consultants, Office of Global Insight and Policy, New York/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…a future

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 is looking to establish a roster of communications consultants in one or more relevant disciplines to support short and medium-term communications campaigns and projects across the Office. Selected candidates will be placed on a roster from which appropriately qualified communications consultants will be drawn for work planned in 2020-21.

Roster will be established based on the following areas of expertise:

• Copy editors: proof-reading and copy-editing often complex and sophisticated research papers and reports, as well as a variety of communications products intended for diverse audiences;   
• Editors: In-depth editing of complex and sophisticated research papers, including working closely with the author or authors to ensure a report that is both accurate and compelling;
• Digital strategists/specialists: Supporting and extending communications campaigns and initiatives on the web, via social media and other relevant digital channels, and monitoring and reporting back post-campaign;
• Media strategists/specialists: Supporting and extending communications campaigns and initiatives through proactive outreach to traditional media, and monitoring and reporting back post-campaign;
• Photographers/videographers: Photographing and/or filming UNICEF and/or partner events, including production, post-production, editing and delivery of final products; and
• Campaign managers: Managing individual and usually time-bound communications campaigns and initiatives potentially from inception to execution to reporting back upon completion, including managing both permanent and temporary communications staff, working closely with analysts, thematic experts, senior management staff, external partners and with communications contacts across the organisation and beyond.

Demonstrated understanding of producing and disseminating research and policy products is essential.

Demonstrated understanding of international development themes (poverty, inequality, health, education gender equality, climate change, basic services, technology and innovation for development) and/or child specific themes is appreciated.

Description of assignment

Project arrangements may range from approximately two weeks to 11.5 months, depending on demand, project specifications and funding availability. Communications consultants who are selected from the roster will work under the supervision of the Office’s communications lead. Communications consultants may be requested to work onsite in New York, or remotely as determined by the specification of the project. The work may include incidental travel to participate in field work, workshops or conferences; any related travel will be governed by UNICEF travel policies for consultants.

Tasks and deliverables will vary by specific project and will be agreed per project.

Duration of roster-based consultancies: Consultants who are selected from the roster will work on specific deliverables and with timeframes as determined by the office based on project needs. Selected candidates will be issued a contract for each specific assignment which is subject to UNICEF General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors. The length of the contract will depend on project needs and funding availability. The Roster will remain valid for 24 months.

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

• University degree in journalism, communication, international relations, political science or another related field;
• At least five years of progressively advanced experience in the discipline selected;
• Understanding of the work of UNICEF;
• Expertise in using communications tools and applications relevant to the discipline selected;
• Strong communication skills (written and oral) are a necessity; and

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 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

Payment details and further considerations

• Payments will be based on agreed daily rate, specific tasks and progress reports, approved upon 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

Application procedure

Interested candidates are requested to apply via the UNICEF recruitment system. Applications will be considered during the recruitment period and successful applications will remain part of the Roster for 24 months.

Applicants are requested to include:

1. A recent CV (max 2 pages)
2. A cover letter with the following information (see below) on top, explaining how your knowledge and experience match the requirements. When candidates would like to apply for more than one thematic area, they are asked to complete multiple tables and include them all above a single cover letter.

 

 

First and last name:
Main area of design expertise among those listed:
Current location:
Preferred start date:
Preference of contract duration (in weeks/months) and preferred number of working days per month (up to 11.5 months):

 

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:

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.