Communications consultant (part time), PPD Brussels

Contract

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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 future

BACKGROUND:

UNICEF Partnership Office for the Relations with the EU Institutions in Brussels is looking for a highly motivated and qualified Communication Consultant to activities for 1 year in part-time basis. This will include identifying comms and advocacy opportunities to support the EU-UNICEF partnership, developing media and briefing materials; ensuring rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media and other appropriate audiences; preparing concept notes and other materials for events; monitoring, advising on and responding to issues relating to UNICEF’s work.

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, the selected candidate will support the UNICEF Partnership Brussels Office in advocating and communicating on child rights with EU institutions and the general public through social media channels. This work requires working closely with UNICEF offices in EU Member States (Country Offices and National Committees) and around the world, and developing partnerships with the European Commission, the European Parliament and key EU Member States. Communication activities (including campaigns, engagement with adolescents and working with media counterparts) are key to support advocacy and increase UNICEF’s brand and credibility in the EU. At the same time, the UNICEF Partnership Brussels Office supports UNICEF Country and Regional Offices in ensuring that they fulfill their communication and visibility contractual obligations.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE

The UNICEF Office in Brussels is seeking a Communications Consultant that will support the work of the Advocacy and Policy Section in developing and implementing a wide range of communication activities to strengthen UNICEF’s partnership with the EU. The consultant will be focusing on the U Report programme and on other opportunities and events such as the European Development Days, World Children´s Day activation, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultancy will have two main responsibilities:

• Support the Brussels Office, Country and Regional Offices in the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting activities planned on main EU funded programmes.
• Support the Brussels Office in the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of communication activities on the EU-UNICEF partnership on children’s rights targeting EU media outlets and the EU general public, in close collaboration with UNICEF presence in EU member states (e.g. events, high level visits, report launches, etc).

The consultancy is at P.3 level (https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SC ).

EXPECTED RESULTS AND DUTIES

1. Initiatives around the programme “Bringing youth voices to strengthen EU-AU partnership: reaching Adolescents, Young People and Communities Through U-Report” (March-June 2022)

Voices of young people are key to defining the future direction for the partnership between Africa and Europe. In February 2022, African and EU leaders will come together at the 6th EU-AU Summit to define the future direction for the partnership between the two continents. UNICEF, DG INTPA and the African Union Commission have joined forces to empower young people to have their voices heard to inform and shape the Africa-EU partnership. Through U-Report (https://ureport.in/ ), opinions of young people in Africa and Europe have been gathered on key issues worrying them - and where the Africa-EU partnership could contribute to. In the aftermath of the EU-AU Summit and in the context of the European Year of Youth, it will be required to follow up on opportunities to leverage young people’s voices and commitments for youth engagement both in the EUs internal and external action.

Duties & Tasks

Under the overall lead of the project manager and in close collaboration with the Global U Report team, facilitate the collaboration between DG INTPA, AU Commission and UNICEF in Brussels regarding communication and social media, as well as the work in countries participating in this initiative. Tasks include:

• Design and develop communication materials (social media packs, PR, etc) to support the dissemination of the outcomes of all events and activities organised by UNICEF in relation to the EU-AU Summit, in Europe and Africa.

• Coordinate with DG INTPA, AUC, UNICEF communications focal points and the UR ambassadors the dissemination on social media and within UNICEF of the results of our youth engagement in the EU-AU Summit and related events.

• Support the UNICEF Brussels Office in the positioning, design and development of youth related activities in the context of the European Year of Youth (campaign design, production of comms materials, coordination with Regional & Country offices and HQ, etc).

2. Communication on the EU-UNICEF partnership (March 2022- Feb 2023)

The UNICEF Office for Relations with EU Institutions has a work plan to ensure communication activities, including media, on children’s rights targeting EU media outlets and the EU general public.

Duties & Tasks

• Lead on in the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting on a communications and media, including traditional channels and social media, strategy and associated work plan, including: context; objectives; target audiences; messages and media mix; resources; specific actions, activities and products; monitoring and evaluation of impact.
• Digital media and campaign development: Maintain the UNICEF EU Office webpage & develop the office’s social media channels by increasing followership, editing and disseminating relevant content; developing paid marketing strategies, strengthen digital audience engagement through the development of innovative, digital activities.
• Plan and implement communication activities and special online and offline events including preparation of content (e.g. concept notes for events, scripts for videos, etc) and information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits) as well as necessary logistic arrangements.
• Develop and update media relations contact list/database of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, photo.
• Support UNICEF Country Offices to deliver on their obligations on communications and visibility related to EU funding by reviewing their plans and supporting their implementation. Particular attention will be given to EU funded programmes with above standard visibility.
• Maintain close collaboration with HQ Communication Division and communication colleagues from the UNICEF offices in EU member state for effective overall coordination.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations *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.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills in English and another UN language (working knowledge of French an asset).
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in creating successful, engaging and interactive digital campaigns and social media packages at national and/or global levels for various audiences, incl. young audiences (the 13 – 17 years old)
• Engagement on topics related to child rights, preferably towards EU institutions and/or familiarity with the work of UNICEF an asset.
• Knowledge of the EU institutions and its dynamics, with practical experience working for them or with them an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to propose and lead initiatives with a variety of stakeholders, managing challenging deadlines with a cooperative and team spirit.
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadline.
• Ability to work harmoniously in an international environment
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit 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:

Duty Station: Brussels

Current COVID-19 context recommends teleworking (fully or partially), so the location requirements are to have excellent internet connection, adequate hardware/software for digital interaction. Working in the same time zone as Brussels (CEST/CET) is mandatory. Depending on the evolution of COVID-19 situation, part-time physical attendance in Brussels might be required. Travel may be possible depending on the COVID-19 conditions.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor of the UNICEF Office for Relations with the EU institutions in Brussels.

Timeframe

Start date: 1 March 2022 End date: 15 February 2023

This is a part-time job that requires flexibility depending on the planning and opportunities, estimated in around 80 working days.

Fees

Applicants are requested to indicate a daily fee in US Dollars. Expenses related to travel will be covered by UNICEF separately.

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.