JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision and general guidance of the Chief Field Office, P5, the Communication Officer assists in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives at state country level, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Tasks/Responsibilities:

Communication materials:

• Ensure that the production of communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns, and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.

Tasks include:

• Implement the tasks in the country communication work plan and strategy as assigned.
• Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country program activities and results. Develop complementary, country-specific, and local community materials and activities.
• Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages, etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.
• 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.) to meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.
• Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation center for communication materials including publications, press releases, and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc.

Media relations:

• Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting, and maintaining contact information, materials, and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc. – in the country, to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience. Tasks include:
• 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.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage, etc.).

 Monitoring and evaluation:

• Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

Tasks include:

• Contribute to developing an advocacy and communication strategy by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analyzing relevant data.
• 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.)
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
• Assist in providing feedback to DOC on the use and appropriateness of global communication materials such as publications, images, and multimedia products.

Celebrities, partners, and special events:

• Ensure that the Country Office’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations, and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), is maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country program goals.

Tasks include:

• Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country program goals.
• 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.
• Maintain and update celebrity and partner contact lists/databases for the country office.
• Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, Goodwill Ambassadors, donors, National Committee representatives, and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, program summaries, country fact sheets, and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics, and administrative arrangements.

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

• A University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field is required.
• Two years of professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media and fieldwork experience is required.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of the local languages at the duty station are required.

Source:https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/546755