Communication Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. As a result of the Venezuela migration crisis, an estimated 5,4 million Venezuelans - around 30% of them children – have left their home country. Migrant and refugee children and families face challenges to regularizing their immigration status which can affect their access to social protection, healthcare, early childhood development, education, sustainable livelihoods, and child protection. Meanwhile, the lack of comprehensive public policies on migratory issues in host countries is putting children at higher risk of discrimination, violence, family separation, xenophobia, exploitation and abuse. Since 2018, UNICEF Brazil runs a coordinated humanitarian operation for the migrants from Venezuela, based in the northern state of Roraima later extended to the states of Amazonas (Manaus) and Para (Belem), building on UNICEF’s longstanding presence and programming in these states. Further to this, UNICEF aims to promote an enabling environment for the socio-economic integration of migrant children and adolescents across municipalities in 18 states of the Amazon and Semi-Arid regions by including migration in UNICEF’s flagship Municipal Seal Initiative.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Communication Specialist and the Chief of Field Office or their designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Communication materials UNICEF regularly disseminates compelling and informative communication materials through different channels (print and digital) to different audiences which illustrates and explains the situation of migrant children from Venezuela and their families including reports, human interest stories and testimonies as well as photos and videos. UNICEF also regularly disseminates information on its humanitarian response to the crisis in reports, infographics, and other materials.

Duties & Tasks • Develop and implement the communication strategies and activities for UNICEF’s humanitarian response in the context of the Venezuelan migration outflow. • Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, videos, web stories, print-outs, etc.) that meet UNICEF’s needs and standards. • Liaise with UN agencies, government and social organizations involved in the humanitarian efforts to align communications/advocacy messaging or participate in joint actions. • Produce human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate. • Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation repository files for communication materials including publications, press releases, and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources, etc. • Recommend and develop appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality, and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials. • Prepare background communication material for field visits. Assist in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements for them. • Recommend established contacts, networks, resources, and processes to support communication activities.

2. Media relations The situation of Venezuelan migrant children in Roraima and UNICEF’s activities are regularly featured in local, national and international media. Relevant UNICEF staff, including the Representatives and staff working on the ground are regularly interviewed by the media to create visibility on the situation and UNICEF’s activities. UNICEF has an updated media contact list available including local, national and international journalists.

Duties & Tasks • 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 local media as well as national and international media covering the humanitarian crisis in northern Brazil. • Draft and edit articles, press releases and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate. • Pitch story ideas and facilitate regular coverage of the situation and UNICEF’s humanitarian activities by local, national, and international media. • Facilitate interviews with relevant UNICEF staff on a regular basis. • 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.).

3. Celebrities, donor partners and special events Organise and coordinate within the team, visits from high profile visitors whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives as well as support and actively participate in special events and activities that further the humanitarian programme goals.

Duties & Tasks • 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, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements. • Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote humanitarian programme goals.

Core Values: Commitment, Diversity and Inclusion, Integrity. Core Competencies: Communication; Working with People; Drive for Results. Functional Competencies: Formulating Strategies and Concepts; Relating and Networking; Persuading and Influencing; Applying Technical Expertise; Learning and Researching; Planning and Organizing.

Communication, print or broadcast media or interactive digital media, or community engagement and social mobilization, including in coordination functions. • Strong writing and communication skills. Communication materials, including texts and interesting human stories, and videos for digital and traditional platforms should be presented. • Experience of working in field locations. Background/familiarity with humanitarian operations will be considered an asset. • Experience in working with international organizations will be considered an important asset.

Boa Vista is the capital and the most populated municipality of the Brazilian state of Roraima. Concentrating approximately two thirds of the population of the state, it is located on the right bank of the Branco River. It is the only Brazilian capital located totally north of the Equator line. The city stands out among the capitals of the Amazon for the radially organized urban layout, planned in the period between 1944 and 1946, similar to the streets of Paris, in France. It is a typically administrative city that concentrates all state services. Banking, transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities are available. The municipality counts on a surface of 5.117,9 km ² (that corresponds to 2.54% of the surface of the state), and limits with the municipalities of Pacaraima to the north; Normandia to the northeast; Bonfim to the east; Cantá to the southeast; Mucajaí to the southwest; Alto Alegre to the west; and Amajari to the northwest. The indigenous areas reach 1,447.35 km² of the municipality (corresponding to 25.33% of the surface of the total territory). The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to the high levels of serious and violent crime, especially in major cities. Violent crimes such as assaults, armed robberies, kidnappings and sexual assault are very important. The most frequent security incidents in the region are robberies, various types of fraud and minor crimes. Slums (favelas) in large cities should be avoided and in case of attack, one is advised not to resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and can turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment, both on and off duty. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reserves, special procedures may apply; United Nations personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance. Additional means of communication can be provided in Pacaraima. Basic health services are available but specialized services are not offered locally. Travelers are advised to carry a supply of the necessary prescription medications. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory, and evidence of yellow fever vaccine is required (at least ten days before the trip to the area). Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever are transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. Preventive measures are key. The mosquito feeds mainly at dusk and dawn, indoors, in shaded areas or when the weather is cloudy. Wear long-sleeved clothing, use insect repellents, place windows with screens, keep residences cool with air conditioning and use mosquito nets. Boa Vista is 90 meters above sea level. The climate of Boa Vista is considered tropical humid (type Aw according to Köppen), with the dry winter and the rainy summer; Autumn and spring are practically not perceived. The temperature varies from 22 ° C to 35 ° C, given its location relatively close to the Equator line. The estimated population of Boa Vista is 375 374 people (IBGE, 2018), being the most populated municipality in the state. The Municipal Human Development Index (IDH-M), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is 0,779, the highest in the state of Roraima. Boa Vista has an inefficient urban transport. On the contrary, Boa Vista has two modern bus terminals, real shopping centres with food stores, various businesses, air-conditioned environment and elevators. However, the streets of Boa Vista are wide and well-marked. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials.