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Communications Officer

Recife (BRA)

  • Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
  • Location: Recife (BRA)
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
  • Closing Date: Closed

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 22 years old. Applicants must be nationals of or legal residents in the country of assignment.

Description of task

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Chief of the Recife Field Office and of the Semiarid Territory, as well as the Communication Specialist based in Salvador, the UN Volunteer will support the analysis of media (digital and traditional) coverage of child rights topics and issues related to UNICEF’s work aimed at strengthening UNICEF’s engagement with various media platforms. They will further carry out communication related activities such as the production of content, ensuring high quality of work and timely service delivery.

They will provide effective support and undertake the following tasks:

Media Relations

  • Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media.
  • Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
  • Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
  • Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
  • Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate, with special attention to opportunities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to 30th anniversary of ECA, to the upcoming municipal elections and the closing process of two UNICEF Brazil flagship initiatives: UNICEF Municipal Seal and Urban Centres Platform (PCU).
  • Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
  • Support the Communication Specialist based in Salvador and the Communication Section in Brasília in compiling a daily media monitoring report that analyses UNICEF’s presence and topics of interest for advocacy and fundraising in the media.
  • Undertake a lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

Advocacy Strategy

  • Support Chief of Territory and Communication Specialist in outlining and implementing a Semi-Arid advocacy strategy at state (all 9 states in SAB) and municipal level (all 4 capitals in PCU in SAB), based on the overarching advocacy strategy of the Country Office.
  • Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences and participate in the evaluation of their impact.
  • Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.) in the Semi-Arid Territory.
  • Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.

Content Production

  • Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results.
  • Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, videos, presentations etc.) that meet the standards set out in the Communication, Public Advocacy and Engagement Strategy 2017-2021.
  • Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.
  • Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.).
  • Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation centre for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.
Qualifications/Requirements Required degree level: Bachelor degree or equivalent Education - Additional Comments:
  • University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field with emphasis on strategic communication planning for media mobilization
  • Knowledge of / training in social mobilization, participatory communication, and research will be an asset

Required experience: 24 Months Experience remark:
  • At least two years of practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.
  • Experience in social mobilization, participatory communication, and research will be an asset
Language skills:
  • Portuguese(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
  • English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
  • Spanish(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge
Area of expertise: Journalism, mass media and broadcasting, Knowledge management, archiving and documentation Area of expertise details:

Specific Technical Knowledge Required

  • Communication practice, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
  • Knowledge and expertise in communication strategy and networking.
  • Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
  • Computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.

Common Technical Knowledge Required

  • General knowledge of computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications with advanced knowledge of social media, web-tools, website design and creation;

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

  • UN/UNICEF Policy Papers
  • UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
  • UNICEF communication and other DOC guidelines
  • Communication toolkit
  • Brand Toolkit and Brand Book
  • UNICEF Stylebook
  • Ethical Guidelines on Reporting on Children
  • UNICEF communication goals, visions, positions, policies, guidelines and strategies.
  • UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, including emergencies.
  • UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies and approaches, including emergency preparedness.
Driving license: No Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, therefore only nationals of Brazil and legal residents in Brazil with the status of refugee or with the status of being stateless are eligible to apply. Please remember to indicate in your UNV profile that you are interested in serving as a national volunteer.

Application deadline: 20-July-2020 at 23:59hrs, Germany time

This vacancy is now closed.
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