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.

Communication and public advocacy is one of the key strategies used by UNICEF to put children on the public agenda and to foster an open dialogue on child rights among decision makers, partners, children, adolescents and communities. UNICEF uses communication to advance programme results, raise awareness on the rights of the child, give visibility to key donors and inform the public about its own contribution in Guinea Bissau, utilizing various communication means, which include the organization of key public events, the collaboration with print and broadcast media for publications/programmes on children related issues as well as publications through on-line and social medial media. The documentation of the situation of children and of UNICEF’s work through videos, photos and human-interest stories is therefore necessary to feed in these various communication channels.

UNICEF has been progressively investing social media, aiming at reaching and engaging with an increasingly number of people. In addition, UNICEF has been regularly developing communication and visibility materials (high-quality pictures, videos, photo essays, posters, infographics, brochures, factsheets, two-pager project proposals, folders…) in order to enhance the office’s efforts to mobilize additional of resources.

On February 25, the Government of Japan decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of 30 million US dollars to Latin American and the Caribbean and African countries that suffer from the impact of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This assistance will provide 17 countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean and African regions with cold chain equipment including medical equipment such as cold-storage facilities and the capacity building assistance for promoting vaccination in each country, among others, as “Last One Mile Support” through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Communication Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communication Officer will support the Advocacy, Communication and Partnership section to implement the Recognition and Visibility actions for the Government and People of Japan’s contribution of USD 2.2 million to strengthen vaccine cold chain system in Guinea-Bissau, through UNICEF, notably:

1. Contribute to the preparation of information content, such as, logos, press releases, TV/Radio adverts, brochures, posters, roll ups, banners, flyers, stickers and folders, related to this contribution and share it widely with national/ international partners, including media;
2. Support the development of social media content related to this grant, including the planning, posting, monitoring and reporting of these social media publications;
3. Prepare and keep an updated webpage on UNICEF Guinea-Bissau’s website about this project;
4. Daily monitor and compile the media articles / press clippings related to this contribution, including UNICEF’s response and properly maintain its database;
5. Produce multimedia content (video and photography), to document the activities related to this funding, showcasing UNICEF ‘s response and adequately upload the multimedia content on UNICEF’s databases (Intranet, Weshare);
6. Provide support for the organization of the Handover ceremony for the materials to be procured through the Japan’s contribution, including a possible joint field visit to project sites;
7. Contribute to the preparation of quarterly visibility reports with Human-Interest Stories, photo essays, media materials, high resolution photos and videos to be shared with the donor;
8. Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort;

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in Communication, or other relevant areas; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Experience working with children and adolescents is an advantage; • Experience working for UNICEF or any other UN Agency is an asset; • Knowledge of the media landscape and social media environment is an asset; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet and office technology equipment; • Advanced ICT skills are an advantage, including experienced design, photo and video editing skills; • Experience working with the content management system “Drupal” is an advantage;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in child rights issues, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Guinea-Bissau is as of December 2017 classified as an E duty station (on a scale a-f). The capital, Bissau, is small city with basic services, including hotels and restaurants. Both public and private health services are fragile, and any major accident/health issue must be attended abroad, closest location being Dakar. Malaria is endemic, and prophylaxis/protection is necessary. Flights to and from Guinea-Bissau are limited, currently operating to/from Portugal, Morocco, Togo and Senegal. Despite the somewhat somber description of Guinea-Bissau in press and news clippings, the general characteristic is really one of great human warmth and a positive and humoristic take on life. Also, crime levels in Guinea-Bissau are quite low, even if they’ve recently been reported on the rise. Normal precautionary measures such as and not walking late at night are advised. There is limited nightlife but the few establishments that do exist (restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs) are of decent quality and food is generally very good. There are also plenty of very good Bissau-Guinean musicians and music events take place often in more or less organized and publicly announced manner. On the other hand, Guinea-Bissau offers ample natural experiences, albeit access and logistics being at times complicated and/or costly.
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.