Batch Vacancy - P3 - Communication Specialist, MEDIA, Fixed Term, GCA, NYHQ, Post number: 99831 and P3 - Communication Specialist, MEDIA, Fixed Term, GCA, NYHQ, Post number: 112302

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

How can you make a difference? Purpose for the job:

As part of the media team 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 with a focus on UNICEF’s Development portfolios and Global Campaigns, and releasing information on a regular basis to the media worldwide about issues of concern to the organization.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: Media Relations – General

• 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 communications 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 organise 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.
• 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 (GCA) regular reporting, work plans and other documentation.
• Provide media materials, key messages and other relevant content for UNICEF and GCA communication platforms.
• Perform other communication duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Impact of Results

• Decisions on UNICEF communication approaches and media engagement.
• Decisions are made on the appropriate responses for addressing issues that arise in the media. As these issues are often of a sensitive nature and the decisions taken have a direct effect on how the organisation is seen by governments, individuals and the general public, consequence of error can be significant. Decisions must be taken with a view to presenting the information accurately, reliably and with sensitivity.
• Decisions on appropriate communication methodologies and approaches, technical resources required, quality and appropriateness of information materials produced and target media, all of which will affect the achievement of goals.
• Recommendations on whether and what type of media engagement strategy and approach is required (eg, reactive, press release, integrated package, news note, key facts etc), with the decision taking into account relevance, reputational risk, timing, audience, reach, effectiveness, branding, consistency and relationship with partners. Such recommendations will also be shared where appropriate with the direct supervisor.
• Incorrect recommendations could result in damage to UNICEF reputation and jeopardize the organizations public positioning.

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

An advanced university degree in communication, journalism, public relations, or another relevant technical field is required or

*A first-level university degree plus an additional 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

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.
• Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs; current events and development issues.
• Field experience is a plus.

Technical Knowledge/Leadership: a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Proven ability to network and manage relationships with partners.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and negotiating skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research, planning and strategy, and the role of the mass media.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Good knowledge of international development issues and of UNICEF priority areas.
• 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.

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required Comprehensive knowledge of:

• Communication management. Knowledge of theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
• Fundamentals for working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• Computer systems/applications and network, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.
• Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations;
• Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.
• UNICEF communication goals, policies, guidelines and strategies.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues.
• UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/ Enhanced

• Expertise of management, communication strategy and networking.
• Technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, preferably French and/or Spanish is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

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

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.