Communication Specialist - Commissioning Photo Editor, P-3, TA, Global Content Strategy Section, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, UNICEF, NYHQ, NY

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,639 USD and 184,155 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

This position resides within the Global Content Strategy section as part of the Division of Global Communications and Advocacy, and directly reports to the Head of Multimedia. The Multimedia team is responsible for high quality professional production and design of photo and video communications assets. These assets are featured on all global digital channels for UNICEF including unicef.org in 5 UN languages, social media channels, flagship publications, as well as for placement on external media outlets and digital channels. The section is also responsible for providing normative guidance and technical advice to UNICEF country offices, regional offices and national committees.

How can you make a difference?

Reporting to the Head of Multimedia, the Commissioning Photo Editor is responsible for supporting day-to-day operations of photography projects include generating creative multiplatform content ideas; planning and assigning photo content production; overseeing budgets and contracts; commissioning engaging multimedia materials for our audiences and platforms; overseeing production schedules, reporting on results and editorial calendars; and supervising staff and freelancers, as part of effective content strategy and communication in support of child rights. This includes:

• Conceiving innovate and creative ideas in the commissioning, acquisition, dissemination and use of photo, in conjunction with video products, for digital outlets.
• Providing support and normative guidance to UNICEF offices worldwide for their multimedia acquisitions, dissemination and archiving.
• Providing support and advice to UNICEF offices worldwide on the ethical representation of children.
• Creating, implementing and disseminating policies, guidelines and technical requirements for the acquisition and use of multimedia assets by UNICEF, and their use by external media and UNICEF partners, in line with child rights, international/national laws and the highest editorial standards.
• Promoting the development of partnerships with international photo and video professionals and related visual multimedia professionals, channels, institutions, agencies and corporations.
• Undertaking or coordinating HQ photo assignments as required.
• Coordinating photo production alongside video production for an integrated approach to content creation as required by campaigns, advocacy aims or platform opportunities.
• Managing stakeholder relationships throughout the organization.

Key functions/accountabilities

The work in this position is diverse and the incumbent is responsible for generating and developing creative ideas, working closely with media, advocacy and social media teams across all platforms while ensuring that division communication priorities and content strategy are aligned. The role requires someone to inspire and engage in-house and independent photographers by articulating UNICEF communication, campaign and advocacy priorities in the creation and development of ideas that meet our audiences’ needs. By providing creative leadership in the commissioning and development of multimedia assets, the role is expected to encourage risk taking and innovation whilst maintaining expertise in identify trends and opportunities for outstanding content. The role requires an incumbent with strong expertise in photography production and editorial, project and stakeholder management, along with a broader understanding of the role of video and how the two mediums together and apart can best support broader communication priorities and digital platform opportunities.

Drive the creation, conceptualization and commissioning of professional quality photography

Support Global Content Strategy Section operations in the development of audience relevant multimedia products, including:

• Consulting with UNICEF stakeholders and policymakers (communication and other specialists globally) and with internal users of UNICEF photography (in coordination with video as appropriate), including HQ, regional, national and National Committee offices; and consulting external users such as the UN and other programme partners, international media, digital outlets etc. to define priority strategies for programme, campaign and emergency coverage.
• Acquire photographs (and video as needed) globally to address these needs, coordinating with relevant field and other offices, drawing from a consistently updated roster of qualified journalist professional photographers/videographers based around the world.
• Produce, edit and supervise the researching/writing of photo captions, ensuring accuracy and descriptions in line with UNICEF policies.
• Oversee the timely dissemination of UNICEF photographs to maximize their broadest appropriate use in support of child rights and UNICEF advocacy priorities, including via UNICEF platforms and in other major international/national media and social media channels.

• Use relevant tracking and reporting tools to provide feedback and analysis of results and opportunities for improvements and innovation.

  Create, update, maintain and promote UNICEF multimedia ethical guidelines

• Create and update as needed comprehensive guidelines on UNICEF photo assets – and related visual media – policies, rights negotiations and technical procedures/requirements and advocate for their broadest practise within UNICEF and externally, as appropriate.

• Build partnerships with international development/journalism photographers and related visual media and/or academic agencies, channels, institutions and corporations.

Support HQ photo assignments and related work

• Oversee HQ and Office of the Executive Director requests for photo support, hiring of freelancers for these assignments as required, including arranging all briefings, logistics, contacts, access, etc.
• Ensure complete follow-up of these assignments, including the timely editing, captioning and completion of selected image acquisitions for sharing with DOC or other colleagues or external partners and for their global distribution.

Manage HQ photography team

• Mentor, resource and support photo team members in their professional development. Ensure that all required administrative, financial and personnel policies are adhered to and that UNICEF resources are cost-effectively deployed.

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

Advanced university degree in communications strategy, digital engagement, journalism, photojournalism, media or similar.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

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

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years progressive experience (preferably within an international context) in creating and commissioning professional photography, particularly in developing countries.
• Background in photojournalism, journalism, media, and social media marketing essential.
• Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, editorial and commercial copyright issues and appropriate applications for distribution of assets internally and externally.
• Demonstrated understanding of child protection guidelines and informed consent standards.
• Experience in the creation and commissioning of video and photo assets for digital platforms with advocacy and marketing requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of up-to-date photography and video workflow processes and of the application of photography and video in a range of media, including news outlets, web and social media sites, print publications and exhibitions.
• Up-to-date experience in strategic communication efforts that utilize photography and video to advocate for positive social change preferably in an international context and in a rapidly evolving multimedia and multi-platform communication environment.
• Demonstrated track record of commissioning successful content based on a thorough understanding of genres and audience needs.
• Outstanding editorial judgement and passion for storytelling, along with the ability to enable creativity and innovation with supervisees and freelancers.
• Knowledge and proven track record in use of DAM systems.

SKILLS

• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Ability to commission video and photo assignments for placement across multiple digital platforms with a mind to the needs of various audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to provide leadership to the creative development of multimedia materials, encouraging risk taking and innovation while identifying trends and opportunities for outstanding content.
• Proven ability to network and manage relationships with partners.
• Proven track record managing team dynamics, performance, and coaching.
• Strong interpersonal communication and negotiating skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute creative multimedia production ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of current theories and practices regarding digital platforms and social media.
• Ability to gather and act on relevant data and research on the role of digital media and reaching targeted audiences with advocacy objectives.
• Knowledge and ability to use core photo video and web-related equipment project management systems/hardware/software and related evolving technologies.
• Knowledge of copyright standards, applications and negotiations.
• Knowledge of how to apply child protection and ethical representation standards when commissioning work with children in documentary contexts and in the field.
• Knowledge of international development issues and of UNICEF priority areas.
• Ability to exercise good judgment under pressure.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments with competing deadlines.
• Able to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
• Flexibility to take on assignments at short notice.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Core Values

• Care

• Respect

• Integrity

• Trust

• Accountability

• Sustainability

  Competencies:

• Leading and Supervising [II]

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II]
• Relating and Networking [I]
• Persuading and Influencing [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [II]
• Entrepreneurial Thinking [I]

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:

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

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.