Communication Specialist (Advocacy and Communication with programs)NOC, Amman MENARO Office-Jordan, Open for Jordan nationals only

Mid Communications & PR

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 contracts.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, calling

Since 2011, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a middle-income region, where UNICEF was implementing mostly upstream work, has now become the region with the greatest concentration of humanitarian needs in the world with two Level 3 emergencies (Yemen and Syria) and many countries that are facing protracted conflicts as well as civil unrest and/or political transition. The role of MENARO is to support all countries in the region in a more deliberate, consistent and value-added way, explicitly allocating the vast majority of programme and cross-cutting staff time and resources to country office technical assistance and quality assurance.

How can you make a difference?

To advocate and communicate on behalf of the children caught in the new and protracted conflicts in the region and the different emergencies and to prioritize the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children in social, political, and economic agendas within the frame work of the regional accelerators through timely, factual and data driven communication and advocacy through close collaboration with the programmes sections.

The specific role of the position is to facilitate seamless and efficient cross-cutting collaboration and an integrated approach between the Advocacy & Communication section and the various MENA program sections.

Purpose for the job:

In a region grappling with ongoing conflicts, emergencies, violence, and natural disasters, UNICEF's Communication and Advocacy section focuses resolutely on response efforts while striving to maintain support and balance with other crucial programmatic areas, particularly within the UNICEF MENA accelerators.The position will allow to drive a timely, effective and efficient collaboration and cooperation with the programs sections from the very onset on the different regional priorities, events, campaigns through effective advocacy and communication support contributing to advancing the child rights agenda and the regional office accelerators in the region.

Accountable for developing, managing, co-ordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring programs oriented advocacy and communication strategy and plans of action and associated products and activities on on-going basis with regional audiences, with the objective of influencing policies, fostering new partnerships, promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, priorities and programmes in the country office/regional office/media hub, and at a global level and those of the UN Country Team.

1. Advocacy strategies and regional analysis:

•Provide technical support in developing robust advocacy strategies and plans with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change.

•Analyze regional political, economic and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.

2. Advocacy support for programs:

•Support programs for the development of innovative ideas and advocacy approaches in support of programmes objectives

•Support the implementation of the regional advocacy strategy liaising with programme colleagues as and when relevant

•Coordinate the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans with programme colleagues, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

3. Advocacy for influence and partnerships:

•Organize high level events, policy dialogues, conferences and other meetings to influence decisionmakers and other stakeholders in the region. Develop key messages, talking points, Q&As and other relevant materials to inform audiences

•Support the development of partnerships with child rights institutions from the region, academia, UN agencies and other civil society organizations

•Establish baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities, and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of advocacy M&E results on a regular basis

4. Media relations (programs and thematic issues focused):

•Promote a better understanding of, respect and support for children's and women's rights and issues by carrying out media, information and education activities in support of UNICEF-assisted development programmes or humanitarian efforts in the country.

•Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database.

•Establish, document, review and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc.

•Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, National Committees, NGOs, the field and other appropriate audiences.

•Identify, develop, distribute and evaluate variety of media materials in multiple, appropriate formats. Ensure or enhance the quality, appropriateness of country specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages transmitted to the press, partners and public.

•Collaborate with mass 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 and share results and findings.

•Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Advisers and HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination.

5. Networking and partnerships (Programs and Child Thematic issues)

•Develop, maintain and update partners contact list/database.

•Help establish, document, review and refine process of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing etc.

•Ensure or enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of the regional and country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners.

•Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment and through knowledge sharing.

•Monitor, evaluate and share results and findings with partners.

6. Global priorities and campaigns (focus on programs and thematic priorities and regional contexualization)

•Support the UNICEF global communications objectives and strategies through development of complementary regional/country specific and local community materials and activities. Work plan should anticipate the inclusion of work on global priorities and campaigns.

•Develop and deploy regional/country office communication capacity to gather/facilitate the content and coverage of relevant country efforts. Use the opportunity to identify/highlight effective programme activities and results.

•Ensure regular communication and co-ordination with relevant communication focal points in regional offices and headquarters divisions.

7. Management

•Develop a work plan for communication activities, monitor compliance and provide support and guidance to ensure objectives are met.

•Plan and monitor the use of communication budgetary resources. Approve and monitor the overall allocation and disbursement and liquidation of funds. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of funds.

•Identify, recruit and supervise staff, technical resources and consultants as necessary. Conduct and Implement effective performance planning, monitoring, performance development programme as required.

•Ensure communication effectiveness, efficiency and delivery as well as a rigorous and transparent approach to planning, monitoring and evaluation.

8. Monitoring and evaluation

•Provide technical support to ensure that a set of communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated or fed forwarded in the Annual Management Plan, Annual Work Plan, etc.

•Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective.

•Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences and share observations/findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UNICEF’s communication work.

9. Capacity building and support

•Advise UNICEF management, colleagues and staff on media strategy and implications for action and policies proposed.

•Support communication activities through knowledge management, information exchange and building capacity of the country communications team. Enable appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment, and developing training and orientation material.

•Assist the Programme Communication Officer in the development of communication tools and/or strategies.

•Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Comms Specialist NOC.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced University Degree in Communications, public relations, Social work, Human rights or other related fields. A first University degree combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree in the field of Communications, public relations, Social work, Human rights or other related fields
• Work Experience: Five years in the field of communication and advocacy, notably with programs Communication management. Knowledge of theories and practices in advocacy and communication research planning and strategy is required. Knowledge of fundamentals for working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc. is required. Familiarity with Computer systems/applications and networks, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media. Demonstrated knowledge of Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women. UNICEF communication and advocacy goals, policies, guidelines and strategies is considered an asset. UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues and UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies is considered an asset. Awareness of Gender equality and diversity issues.
• ****Language Requirements:**** Fluency in Arabic, and English.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. *[Please **do not remove this desirable; it should be present in all advertisements]*
• Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations is considered an asset
• Knowledge of French Language

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: UNICEF Values

The 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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Added 30 days ago - Updated 21 days ago - Source: unicef.org