Communication Specialist (Media) - P3 - UNICEF

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.

For every child, a Voice

The Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA) in UNICEF puts children at the heart of global agendas by being the leading voice, brand, advocate and partner for the rights of every child. GCA works closely with other Divisions, Regional Offices (ROs), Country Offices (COs) and National Committees (NatComs) to contribute to the achievement of UNICEF's Strategic Plan through the implementation of the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy.

This position resides within the Media Section as part of the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA) and directly reports to the Communication Manager. The Media Section in the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy is responsible for working directly with global media outlets and coordinating regional and national media efforts to raise awareness about the most important issues facing children, their rights, their safety, and their futures.

How can you make a difference? 

As part of the Media Section led by the Media Section Chief, and under the direct supervision of a Communication Manager, the staff member is responsible for developing, managing, implementing and monitoring global media strategies for UNICEF's Development portfolios and Global Campaigns, with a focus on climate and migration, alongside other issues, and releasing and coordinating the release of information on a regular basis to the media worldwide about issues of concern to the organization.

• Develop, deliver and monitor global media campaigns and initiatives that generate positive coverage on UNICEF's priority issues for children, coordinating with partner organisations and UNICEF's network of global offices as necessary.
• Write and edit media materials to support report launches, key campaign moments, high-level global meetings, including press releases, articles, Op-Eds, Q&As, key messages, fact sheets, briefing documents and other communication materials for internal and external audiences.
• Develop and pitch news and feature ideas and secure coverage in print, broadcast, online and digital media.
• Plan and organize press conferences, events, and interviews with UNICEF experts.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key global media outlets and reporters relevant to UNICEF's work.
• Ensure timely and accurate dissemination of materials to the media, UNICEF's network of global offices, and other appropriate audiences.
• Identify and manage risk communication issues, as necessary.
• Develop, maintain and update media contact list/database.
• Advise and support UNICEF spokespeople in their media interactions, including senior leadership, as needed.
• Provide relevant inputs to the Media Section and the Division of Communication and Advocacy (DGCA) regular reporting, work plans and other documentation.
• Provide media materials, key messages and other relevant content for UNICEF and DGCA communication platforms.
•  Perform other communication duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent)* is required in one of the following fields: communication, journalism, public relations, or another relevant technical field; 
    *A first level university degree (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with an additional two years (a total of seven years) of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressive experience in communications and media relations, with at least two years at the international level is required, including media experience in the climate space.
• Skills: Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs; current events and development issues.
  -Proven experience developing and leading global media strategies, inititiaves and campaign support, and working directly with journalists and reporters.
  -Experience working with media on climate related issues and stories.
  -In-depth knowledge of the global media landscape across print, broadcast, online, and digital.
  -Strong writing and editing skills, especially for media and communication products (press releases, statements, Q and As, etc.)
  -Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
  -Proven ability to think strategically and conceptualize, plan and execute ideas.
  -Experienced in networking and managing relationships with partners and journalists.
  -Ability to identify and strategically mitigate and manage media risk.
  -Strong interpersonal communication and negotiating skills.
  -Knowledge of current practices in communication, planning and strategy, and the role of mass media.
  -Ability to exercise good judgment under pressure
  -Ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines. Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines and capacity to work long hours when required.
  -Flexibility to take on assignments at short notice or to change assignments at short notice.
  -Proven ability to work as part of a team.
  -Knowledge of development issues, developing country and programme exposure, and familiarity with child-related and UNICEF issues, including child rights.
  -Gender, diversity and ethical awareness.
  -Knowledge of United Nations is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, preferably French and/or Spanish, or further official UN languages ((Arabic, Chinese or Russian) is considered as an asset.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from programme countries are encouraged to apply.

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.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)