Communication Officer United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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.

And we never give up.

For every child, Equality

The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country’s children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.

How can you make a difference?

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 in the country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

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. Help to refine and implement the office media engagement strategy through close working with media outlets.

External communications and advocacy: As needed, support the creation of visibility products and implementation of visibility plans for key partnerships. This will include the writing of human-interest stories and social media posts, and organising visibility events. Implement advocacy campaigns under the leadership of the Chief of Communication. This includes work with influencers such as artists and celebrities.

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. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis. Includes monthly social media tracking.

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

Education:  University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

Work Experience:  One-year practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:  

• Strong proven writing and presentation skills
• Skills in social media publication
• Knowledge of donor communications & visibility work
• Public advocacy experience and event management
• Photography skills
• Knowledge of the United Nations system

 Language:  Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (Level 2)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (Level 2)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (Level 2)
• Innovates and embraces change (Level 2)
• Thinks and acts strategically (Level 2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (Level 2)
• Works collaboratively with others (Level 2)
• Nurtures, leads, and manages people (Level 1)

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Persuading and Influencing (Level 2)
• Applying Technical Knowledge (Level 2)
• Planning and Organizing (Level 2)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.