Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) - Communication and Advocacy Specialist, P4, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, Multiple Location

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is excited to announce the launch of a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) for the Communication and Advocacy Talent Group at the P-4 level. GVAs serve as a strategic tool to attract and identify highly qualified candidates for inclusion in Talent Groups (TGs). Talent Groups are exclusive rosters of pre-assessed experts that enable UNICEF offices globally to efficiently fill vacancies with top-tier professionals. By applying to this GVA, candidates have the opportunity to join a Talent Group, which is a key step in being considered for exciting career opportunities with UNICEF.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. Talented human resources are key assets of the organization. UNICEF is seeking people in the Communication and Advocacy sector at the mid-level (P4) to work in the field, regional and HQ locations.

For every child, hope

UNICEF aims to be the leading advocate for children, enabled by a cohort of networked, strategic, innovative, and effective advocates who deliver change for children in every part of the world.   

How can you make a difference?

Communication and Advocacy are at the center of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate to decision makers for ‘the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential’. We communicate to key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children. 

The Communication and Advocacy Manager reports to the Senior Adviser or Chief of Section, who is at Level 5, or Representative.

Purpose of the job:

The P4 Communication and Advocacy Manager is accountable for managing the communication and advocacy strategies and implementation. This includes: 

• the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of integrated communication and advocacy strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
• the effective deployment of public channels and private relationships to mobilize public and private resources for children including through UNICEF, with appropriate recognition and visibility strategies. 
• using traditional and digital media and key partnerships to build awareness of and support for child rights and UNICEF’s mission, priorities and programmes.
• working with children and young people to empower them as agents of change.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities

1. Advocacy strategy development  
2. Advocacy strategy implementation 
3. Communication strategy development and implementation 
4. Digital strategy
5. Media relations 
6. Crisis communication and humanitarian advocacy
7. Communication and Advocacy M&E
8. Team building, project and budget management
9. Communication and Advocacy capacity building
10. Stakeholder engagement
11. Others

The staff member will lead and manage a team to design and coordinate effective, integrated communication and advocacy strategies, through the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at country, regional and global level, as well build alliances or coalitions with external partners to drive changes in policy and practice, and secure political and financial commitments for children. Duties include: 

1. Advocacy strategy development:  

• Manage every element of the advocacy strategy process, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, from defining advocacy outcomes, power analysis, and developing a clear theory of change to win the support of decision makers and mobilize key constituencies.  

1. Advocacy strategy implementation:   

• Drive the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to ensure all strands of the strategy are progressed and mutually reinforcing, for example: data, policy, media, public mobilization, events, and partnerships. Supervise the development of cogent and compelling advocacy and campaign narratives, and the delivery of creative campaign tactics. 

1. Communication strategy development and implementation:  

• Design effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize public and private support for the cause of children. Key to this is strategic inclusive content creation and dissemination for UNICEF’s various audiences. 
• Supervise the implementation of these plans, ensuring they are delivering against agreed outcomes and always in keeping with UNICEF’s mandate.  

1. Digital strategy:  

• Develop a comprehensive digital strategy and lead and manage the Office’s communication and advocacy team responsible for the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences. 

1. Media relations:  

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc. – to ensure we can build public awareness of and support for UNICEF and the cause of children. 

1. Crisis communication and humanitarian advocacy: 

• Manage and minimize threats to UNICEF’s brand and reputation. 
• Manage communications during sudden onset emergencies where UNICEF is set to deliver (is delivering) support. 
• Build capacity of team/region/country on crisis comms best practice  
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across UNICEF and with external partners to identify key advocacy priorities and outcomes, and advance strategic humanitarian advocacy in line with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. 

1. Communication and Advocacy M&E:  

• Supervise the development of a clear communication and advocacy M&E framework: setting baselines against which results are regularly monitored; conducting analysis to continuously improve the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and overseeing the production and dissemination of M&E results. 

1. Team building, project and budget management:  

• Provide a protective, nurturing environment for the team – in line with UNICEF’s highest ethical standards and values; respond appropriately to ethical issues and complaints of abuse of authority, bullying and harassment.  
• Ensure project management coherence in the activities of the team, conveying strategic priorities and setting clear deliverables.  
• Manage inclusive teams featuring a variety of communication and advocacy professionals, to drive and deliver strategic communication and advocacy initiatives.  
• Support mobilizing resources for undertaking advocacy and communication. Ensure effective and transparent management of budget and resources.  

1. Communication and Advocacy capacity building:  

• Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication, through coaching, training and sharing of expertise. 

1. Stakeholder engagement:  

• Provide strategic direction for partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with internal and external partners.  
• Partners will include key internal stakeholders, other UN entities, influencers, youth ambassadors, goodwill ambassadors, academics, business leaders and other public and private sector partners.  
• Ensure that effective communication and advocacy strategies and plans are co-created with partners, to leverage their power to contribute to UNICEF’s goals.   
• Ensure that feedback from key stakeholders is incorporated into strategy design, implementation and team learning. 

1. Others:  

• Undertake additional activities as required.

To qualify for the P4 Communication and Advocacy talent group you need to meet the following minimum requirements:

Education:

• An Advanced University degree is required in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields, or 
• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field, in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience in advocacy, campaigning or a related field may be taken in lieu of an Advanced University degree. 

Work Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required.  
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of communication and advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives, and performance indicators. 
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change. 
• Proven experience in deploying a range of communication and advocacy tactics based on a clear theory of change. 
• Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences.   
• Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.  
• Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels. 
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions. 
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.  
• Experience in managing a team is a requirement, along with a proven commitment to diverse and inclusive recruiting process. Experience managing a multicultural team is an asset. 
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results. 
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues. 
• Experience in crisis communications and/or humanitarian advocacy is an asset. 
• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset. 
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset. 
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset. 

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• 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)

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities.

Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

 Remarks:

Internal applicants already holding fixed term appointments at P-4 in the Communication and Advocacy functional area do not need to apply to this GVA process.

While placement in the Talent Group does not guarantee selection, it serves as a valuable resource for filling vacancies. The selection process will involve various assessment methods to ensure the identification of top candidates.

UNICEF is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its workforce and strongly encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Enhancing diversity at the P-4 level in Communication and Advocacy is a priority. Currently, the geographic diversity at this level comprises 67% Donor Country Nationals and 33% Programme Country Nationals. Gender diversity at this level is 31% Male and 69% Female. UNICEF is dedicated to improving these figures to achieve greater balance and representation.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.