Communication Assistant (Knowledge Diffusion), GS-6, Mexico City, Mexico, Temporary Appointment

Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Communication Assistant (Knowledge Diffusion) supports the communication section and programme sections through better organizing the productions, editing, managing and storage of high amount of information.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Purpose for the job:  Under the supervision and guidance of the supervisor, the Communication Assistant (Knowledge Diffusion) supports the communication section and programme sections through better organizing the productions, editing, managing and storage of high amount of information.

As the knowledge generation role of the Country Office is increasing, communication activities will become even more necessary to reinforce the dissemination of new data and messages emanating from it. This also presents an opportunity to further the use of such knowledge in the region. This post supports CPD outcome 5: social and resources mobilization as well as the outcome 1: policy analysis and knowledge generation. This post coordinates copyediting of material, typesetting of the text and figures into a page layout, proofreading of the typeset pages, indexing of the content and manufacturing of the finished report. The Communication Assistant (Knowledge Diffusion) proposes specific projects and pieces, multimedia assets, infographics, social media and public exposure strategies for the CO knowledge generation strategy. Coordinate partnerships with publishing industry allies, research centers, universities and other partners that contribute the diffusion of the CO knowledge generation strategy.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

1. Proposes specific projects and pieces for the diffusion of the CO knowledge generation strategy. The production of communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support country knowledge generation strategy, as set out in the work plan.
2. Coordinate partnerships with publishing industry allies, research centers, universities and other partners that contribute the diffusion of the CO knowledge generation strategy. The Country Office's contact list of editorial industry allies, research centers, universities and other groups is maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives including CO knowledge generation strategy.
3. Coordinate the editorial production process that strongly supports the CO knowledge generation and dissemination strategy. The CO publications are produced according to the highest quality editorial standards and so as to reflect UNICEF's corporate vision.
4. Contributes with other communications tasks, including feeding social media channels when needed.

 Duties & Tasks

1. Proposes specific projects and pieces for the CO knowledge generation strategy.

• Design and plan the knowledge generation strategy based on office´s PRIME and IMEP documents.
• Work closely with programmatic sections to identify communications priorities in the knowledge generation strategy and determine key opportunities to disseminate new data/information about children rights.
• Provide support to the programmatic sections to define specific objectives, audiences (targets) and messages that contribute to develop a communication strategy that respond to the CO priorities knowledge diffusion.
• Propose, select and determine the communication pieces that contribute the dissemination of reports, studies, statistical data or social campaigns and help to position UNICEF as a strong reference/leader in the generation of children´s rights information.

 2. Coordinate partnerships with publishing industry allies, research centers, universities other partners that contribute the diffusion of the CO knowledge generation strategy.

• Mapping of key research centers, universities, libraries and publishing industry allies that could help to disseminate the studies and new data/information produced by UNICEF Mexico.
• Develop specific partnerships for an adequate distribution of the publications throughout a wide range of civil society, research centers, universities, libraries and corporate allies.

3. Coordinate the editorial production process that strongly supports the CO knowledge generation and dissemination strategy.

• Organize under minimal supervision the production of different type of publications/ reports considered on the CO PRIME and IMEP documents, and on each section Annual Work Plan in order to propose communicational projects that help to reach the programmatic sections' audiences. The CO publications are produced according to the highest quality editorial standards and so as to reflect UNICEF's corporate vision:

a) The incumbent is responsible for implementation, including writing, editing and production, of advocacy publications in consultations with programmatic sections. Advocacy publications include booklets, brochures, pamphlets, posters and books, designed to advocate support for UNICEF goals. These may be produced internally or with commercial publishers.

b) The incumbent must identify suitable publishers and negotiate contracts and terms of agreement with the publisher for technical publications. These include booklets and books designed to contribute to the body of technical knowledge on issues related to UNICEF's mandate. These publications may be produced with external publishers, including university presses, or with other UN agencies.

• Coordinate copyediting of material, typesetting of the text and figures into a page layout, proofreading of the typeset pages, indexing of the content and manufacturing of the finished report.
• Oversee editorial content and production timelines of each publication produced by UNICEF Mexico office.
• Maintain a production calendar that helps to organize the copy flow of one or multiple publications to reach production schedules, editing and printing deadlines.
• Serve as liaison to contributors/authors and others actors that are directly involved in the production of a publication: solicit chapters, edit submissions and convey editorial comments.
• Edit all elements of style, substance and organization that create consistency in each UNICEF publications. Recommends substantive editorial changes as needed.
• Coordinate relationship with vendors and supervise their work in every publication in order to ensure high quality products.

4. Contributes with other communications tasks, including feeding social media channels and serve as media liaison when needed.

• Contributes to design and develop strategies for nationwide dissemination through mass media, (television, newspapers, radios) and social media including special content produce for key allies, special events for public exposure and field visits.
• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., videos, audio-visuals, infographics, media news notes, emailing and photos,etc).
• Oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and effectiveness of the support provided by the communication assistant (Knowledge Diffusion) to the area and office's knowledge generation strategy facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the respective section, which in turn enhances the offices and UNICEF's capacity in helping the most vulnerable women and children.

This post supports CPD outcome 1: policy analysis and knowledge generation which contributes to the branding and awareness strategies implemented by the office; as well as the outcome 5: social and resources mobilization supporting content strategies for corporate allies, prospects donors, current pledge donors and general public.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (II)

Recruitment Qualifications

• Education: Completion of secondary education, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization. Bachelor´s degree in communication is an asset.
• Experience: A minimum of 6 years of progressively relevant work experience in communications is required. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and English

Non-Mexican candidates must be in possession of an existing Mexican FM3/FM2 visa or be a Mexican permanent resident/citizen.