Communication Specialist NOC FT Bamako, Mali #21528 (Malian Nationals Only)

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 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. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. To learn more about UNICEF, visit www.unicef.org.

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, an advocate and opportunities

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. Therefore 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.

Mali remains one of the poorest countries in the world and 56 per cent of children still suffer from at least three deprivations. Despite some progress, significant economic, geographic and gender-based inequities remain. Limited budget allocations to social sectors and insufficient transfer of resources to decentralized authorities further undermine the social inclusion agenda. Since 2012, Mali has faced numerous multidimensional crises, including armed conflicts in the north and centre of the country, which have been exacerbated by frequent natural disasters such as floods and drought. 3.9 million people, of whom half are children, are affected. UNICEF Mali has a comprehensive country Programme (2020 – 2024), and is implementing a life cycle approach with highly integrated results and interventions at all levels.

UNICEF Mali is looking for a media and communication expert to join its communication and advocacy team in Bamako. This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of committed professionals working to realize the rights of every child in Mali. Working in a dynamic office the communication specialist would develop media and advocacy strategies across all areas of UNICEF’s work in Mali, coordinate media strategy and engagement, support advocacy campaigns, build networks, provide analysis and manage partnerships with key stakeholders. The role also requires creativity skills to develop innovative content in a diverse media environment, including digital and social media. Working with children and young people to build their capacity in media skills and advocacy, as well as amplifying their voices is another key requirement of the job. Working as part of a larger team of humanitarian and development experts the communication specialist has the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of girls and boys in Mali.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job: The Communication Specialist NOC, # 21528 is accountable for developing, managing, co-ordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring advocacy and communication strategy and associated products and activities on on-going basis with public audiences, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, priorities and programmes in Mali, and at a global level, and those of the UN Country Team. The Communication Specialist works as part of a team of five staff members, along with consultants and partners. They report to the Chief of Communication.

Advocacy and Communication are at the center of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate to decision makers for ‘the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential’. We communicate to key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children.

UNICEF aims to be the leading advocate for children, enabled by a cohort of networked, strategic, innovative, and effective advocates who deliver change for children in every part of the world.

How can you make a difference?

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

1. Communication and advocacy strategy

Ensure that the Mali Country Office has a clear communication strategy and associated work plan to support the country programme objectives and get children’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

2. Media relations

   Ensure that Mali Country Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

   3. Networking and partnerships

Ensure that the Mali Country Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives of the communication strategy.

4. Celebrities and special events

Ensure that the Mali Country Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of appropriate, nationally-known personalities who have been identified, engaged and support UNICEF’s effort and who actively participate in special events and activities that support country programme goals.

5. Global priorities and campaigns

In addition to local/national campaigns, ensure that Mali Country Office has an effective process in place for integrating and taking action on UNICEF’s global communications priorities and campaigns, both disseminating these elements in a locally-appropriate way, as well as providing/enabling coverage of the work in the country for global use.

6. Resource mobilization support

Ensure that global and country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities.

7. Management

Ensure that human resources (the communication team) and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) are both effectively managed and optimally used.

8. Monitoring and evaluation

Ensure that communication baselines are established against which the achievement of objectives of the communication strategy are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of communication strategy, approach and activities; results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

9. Capacity building and support

Ensure that the Representative/Senior Management and the country programme team are provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of external relations communication and advocacy as required; opportunities are identified and addressed for building communication capacity among country communication team, media, children and other relevant partners.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations.

• (*A first University combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.)

• Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media.

• Fluency in French and English is required (Oral and written)

• Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is highly desirable

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values attributes:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

UNICEF’s 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)

The functional competencies required for this post are...

Formulating Strategies and Concepts [II] Entrepreneurial Thinking [III]

Applying Technical Expertise [II] Persuading and Influencing [II]

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, 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:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.