Communication Officer NOB FT Bamako, Mali

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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, Hope

UNICEF Mali is looking for a social media savvy professional who can use digital and social media to advocate for children’s rights. If you enjoy making content for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and other channels this is the role for you! The communication officer will be responsible for managing UNICEF Mali social media channels and website, as well as supporting all areas of communication and advocacy. We are looking for someone who can write engaging content, interview children and share their stories, take photos by mobile phone and package them for social media. The person will also have the opportunity to use social media to engage in conversations. In addition, there is a chance to work on longer form content by writing for website, as well as to support other communication products such as briefs or press releases. Digital media is constantly changing so this role requires flexibility and adaptability. It’s an exciting time to work on digital and social media!

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. 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 fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why 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 by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

In general the communication officer assists in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy (with a specific focus on digital and social media) 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.

Effective implementation of any social media engagement plan requires at least one full-time coordinator to manage the requirement of uploading content to all channels daily (including social media and website) and also responding to request, queries and comments that are posted on our pages, as well as monitoring and evaluating performance to inform digital strategy. The impact of digital communication and advocacy on UNICEF Mali’s social media channels in support of programme, advocacy and resource mobilization goals requires regular monitoring and analysis of the analytics for each of the channels. At the same time UNICEF Mali’s website requires compelling content.

Considering the current digital landscape and the importance given to social media channels as key places where people make and break news, as well as interact, it is anticipated that UNICEF Mali will work towards expanding its growing base of supporters across multiple social media channels, as well as increase engagement on these channels and also support digital engagement with children and young people.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Communication strategy
2. Media relations
3. Monitoring and evaluation
4. Celebrities, partners and special events

KEY END-RESULTS

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

1. 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 with a specific focus on digital communication, social media and content production as set out in the work plan.

Duties & Tasks

• Implement the tasks in the country communication work plan and strategy as assigned with a special focus on digital and social media campaigns and content.
• Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results. Develop complementary, country specific and local community materials and activities.
• Produce advocacy and communication materials, specifically social and digital media materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, social media posts, video, Web and digital resources 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 centre for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.

2. Media relations

   Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, 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.

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 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.)

3. 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.

Duties & Tasks

• Contribute to developing an advocacy and communication strategy by coordinating appropriate audience research and compiling and analysing 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 digital and social media materials. Maintain a library of content. Maintain detailed social media analytics.
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization, including through social media listening.
• Assist in providing feedback to management, regional office and headquarters on the use and appropriateness of global communication materials such as publications, images and multimedia products.
• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.
• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

4. 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), are 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 programme goals.

Duties & Tasks

• Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals.
• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, digital media organizations (including social media channels and influencers), as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update digital/social media influencer and partner contact lists/database.
• 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, programme 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.

• A minimum of two years practical, professional experience in in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media, with web production and social media experience in a business-critical environment.

• Experience managing content and production for social media platforms.

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage.

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Competencies *

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies

• Communication (II)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (I)
• Persuading and Influencing (I)
• Learning and Researching (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II)

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 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:

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 may also be 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.