Communication Officer, NOB, TA, Abidjan (1 year) - For Ivorians only

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, a Communication Champion !

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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. And communication is crucial in both sharing the efforts and progress realized, and advocating for more action for each child.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of the job is to assist 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.

KEY END-RESULTS

Serve as the lead creator and editor for UNICEF Cote D’Ivoire’s communication products and materials, refining and growing quality content, audiences and engagement. Plan and coordinate the communication and advocacy strategies. Identify new opportunities to continually improve our presence across the media to deepen engagement with supporters.

Serve as the focal point for UNICEF Cote D’Ivoire’s ambassadors, champions, partners and events, including organising field visits with media, donors and partners to promote children's rights, such as.

1. Communication strategy: The production of communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities, and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.
2. 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.
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. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

Celebrities, partners and special events: The Country Office’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), is 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.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

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

In close collaboration with the Digital Media Officer, 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 as set out in the work plan.

Duties & Tasks

• Implement the tasks in the country communication work plan and strategy as assigned.
• 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 (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages 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.

• Recommend 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.

• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.

2. 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.

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 media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)

• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.

• Assist in providing feedback to DOC 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, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update celebrity and partner contact lists/database for country office.
• 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…

1. EducationA University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, other related field or any other university degree + relevant work experience in the field of communication.

2. Work Experience

   Two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

   Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.

3. Language Proficiency Fluency in French, and working knowledge of English.

   Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

4. Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in communication, writing, media and marketing
• Experience in developing and implementing media strategies for non-profit organisations and/or private sector companies, tracking their success and analyzing results
• Demonstrated experience in writing stories for different audiences using different channels
• Demonstrated experience in interviewing, writing speeches, press releases and other communication content
• Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives and priorities within specified timeframes.
• Proven ability to present and communicate new projects to varied audiences.
• Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking, and advocacy.
• Proven understanding of digital strategies.
• High-level communication skills, including engaging in public speaking.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to set high standards for quality of work, and consistently achieve project goals.
• Quick building of rapport with individuals and groups, and maintaining an effective network across the organization and externally.
• Translation of strategic directions into plans and objectives.
• Demonstration and sharing of detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Seeks and proposes activities and opportunities for advancing UNICEF’s mission.
• Understanding of UN and UNICEF programmes and policies is an asset.

5. Competency Profile (For details on competencies please refer to the UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles.)

ii) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment • Diversity and Inclusion • Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [ II ] • Working with People [ I ] • Drive for Results [ I ]

• Functional Competencies (Required)

  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ] • Relating and Networking [ I ]

  • Persuading and Influencing [ I ] • Applying Technical Expertise [ I ]

  • Learning and Researching [ II ] • Planning and Organizing [ II ]

  iii) Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required

Specific and up-to-date working knowledge of:

• UNICEF communication and other DOC guidelines
• Communication toolkit
• Brand Toolkit and Brand Book
• Ethical Guidelines on Reporting on Children

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required

General knowledge of:

• Communication practice, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
• Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• Storytelling and writing skills.
• Fact checking skills.
• Event/mission organization skills.
• Computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.
• United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs, current events and international development issues
• Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF communication goals, visions, positions, policies, guidelines and strategies.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, including emergencies.
• UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies and approaches, including emergency preparedness.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced

• Knowledge and expertise in 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.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

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:

It is compulsory to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to work within UNICEF, so please prepare your vaccination card.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply, and should be aware that several pregnancy-related accomodating policies exist within the Organization to facilitate and ensure staff welbeing regarding pregnancy. Related advantages include 6-months maternity leave, a breastfeeding room within the office and daily breastfeeding time upon resuming duty after the maternity leave.

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.