Communications Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

For 75 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF believes that all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential – to the benefit of a better world. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Section or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and in close collaboration with all programme sections, the UN Volunteer Communications Specialist will undertake the following tasks, within the context of the agreed communication workplan: • Research, draft and edit communication materials (articles, press releases, speeches, human interest stories, briefing notes, and others) for both traditional and digital media • Contribute to the qualitative aspects of production of the communication products (e.g. graphic design) • Work on the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact • Ensure quality, consistency, accuracy and ethics of all communication tools and materials (press releases, videos, social media posts, Human Interest Stories, Sit.Rep, Blog articles, Reports, etc.) • Ensure language quality in English of all communication tools and materials • Identify angles for feature stories, for text, photo and video • Produce human interest stories in text and photo • Work with external consultants for the generation of photo and video content • Coordinate the digital communication activities of the UNICEF Country Office based on the digital communication strategy • Organize the content management of the UNICEF Country Office website and ensure a regular update of the site • Manage the social media platforms of the Country Office (Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and YouTube), ensure regular posting with field content and content related to the advocacy priorities, promote donor recognition and manage the social conversation • File the digital communication products for donor recognition reporting • Manage the photo/video database of the Country Office and upload relevant content on UNICEF’s global platform WeShare

Communication support:

• Support the definition of the communication workplan and its quarterly evaluation • Support the Communication team in its day-to-day activities • Participate in the planning and roll-out of communication campaigns and pushes, as well as communication events • Support the preparation and organization of field missions for national and international media, National Committees for UNICEF and donors

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF, its strategic communications and partnerships results for children, and all of its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o High-quality communication products (English) are produced and made available; o The roll-out of an operational online strategy to generate national and international assistance is supported; o Improved coordination of and reporting on donor visibility activities

• Provide a final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Diversity and inclusion: Treats all people with dignity and respect; shows respect and sensitivity towards gender, cultural and religious differences; challenges prejudice, biases and intolerance in the workplace; encourages diversity wherever possible. • Integrity: Maintains high ethical standards; takes clear ethical stands; keeps promises; immediately addresses untrustworthy or dishonest behaviour; resists pressure in decision-making from internal and external sources; does not abuse power or authority. • Commitment: Demonstrates commitment to UNICEF’s mission and to the wider UN system; demonstrates the values of UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours; seeks out new challenges, assignments and responsibilities; promotes UNICEF’s cause. • Communication: Speaks fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of an argument clearly; presents information with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience; presents information in a well-structured and logical way. • Working with people: Shows respect for the views and contributions of other team members; shows empathy; listens, supports and cares for others; consults others and shares information and expertise with them; builds team spirit and reconciles conflict; adapts to the team and fits in well. • Drive for results: Sets high standards for quality of work; monitors and maintains quality of work; works in a systematic, methodical and orderly way; consistently achieves project goals; focuses on the needs and satisfaction of internal and external partners; accepts and tackles demanding goals with enthusiasm

communication, print and broadcast media, interactive digital media, public information, production of multimedia material or other relevant programmes; Experience with peacebuilding or child rights focused programming in conflict-affected countries is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports UNICEF with professionalism, dedication and client orientation, and who must be willing both to work on programmatic/substantive aspects and to provide operational/logistical services. The following qualifications are required: o Excellent oral and written skills in English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills o Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing o Web management skills (Drupal) o Excellent knowledge of social media platform management o technical competence in producing for various media formats (print, web, social media, multimedia) o Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment

Living Conditions:

South Sudan is a unique country and a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Conditions of Service

Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,602. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.