CONSULTANCY: Humanitarian Advocacy Specialist - Africa (remote-based, full-time, 11.5 months) - GCA, NYHQ

Consultant Communications & PR

Overview

Support UNICEF's humanitarian advocacy initiatives for children across Africa.

You have:

• BA in social sciences, international relations, public policy, international development, public relations, communication or a related field.
• At least five years’ experience in advocacy and campaign strategy development and execution, preferably on both a global and national level, including at least three years on humanitarian issues.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change, ideally on humanitarian issues.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Experience in strategic public engagement activity, based on an understanding of the target audience.
• Strong track record in writing engaging campaign narratives and delivering creative campaign tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including monitoring of results.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization and knowledge of the United Nations system or other international organisations are an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is a strong asset.
• Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is required. Other (UN) languages are considered an asset.

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 Humanitarian Advocacy Specialist (Africa)

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. This is why 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.

In supporting senior leadership, HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices to progress on UNICEF vision, mandate and commitment, the Division of Global Communications and Advocacy (DGCA) serves as the global centre of excellence in advocacy, communication and brand. By coalescing our collective efforts, 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. Advocacy is 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.

The DGCA’s Advocacy Section has three core objectives:

1. To collaboratively develop, strengthen and implement advocacy, campaigns and communications strategies, with robust monitoring and evaluation, on advocacy priorities.
2. To build and strengthen strategic partnerships for advocacy – with Goodwill Ambassadors, civil society, influencers, partner organizations (UN and non-UN) and other actors, to ensure a strategic approach to deploying these partners to increase our advocacy impact.
3. To develop and implement clear plans to build advocacy capacity across UNICEF.

How can you make a difference?

The Humanitarian advocacy specialist (Africa) will support the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA) Humanitarian Advocacy Lead in developing and implementing humanitarian advocacy strategies in major emergencies within the broader context of UNICEF’s global advocacy and humanitarian priorities for 2022-2023.

The Humanitarian Advocacy Specialist (Africa) is accountable for coordinating, driving implementation, monitoring and evaluating global strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. This includes working directly with Country and Regional Offices in supporting the development and implementation of regional and national advocacy strategies.

As a member of GCA’s Advocacy Section, the Humanitarian Advocacy Specialist (Africa) works in close coordination with other GCA sections, EMOPS, Programme Group, other HQ Divisions, Regional, Country Offices, National Committees, other relevant internal and external stakeholder

Description of Assignment

Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Advocacy Lead in GCA and in close coordination with EMOPS and Country Offices, the consultant will drive the development of effective, integrated advocacy strategies across UNICEF HQ and key UNICEF Regional, Country Offices and National Committees, with a focus on emergencies in West and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa, and Middle East and Northern Africa. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at headquarters, country and regional level, as well as with external partners, to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. S/he will target global advocacy fora and support effective advocacy at the national level. Responsibilities include:

1. Advocacy strategy development:

• Provide technical support to COs and ROs in major emergencies, in developing a robust advocacy strategy, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change.
• Provide regular and robust analysis of global political, economic and cultural trends relevant for advocacy strategy development, and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.
• Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.
• Provide guidance to COs and ROs on risk-informed and strategic advocacy tactics and partnerships, promoting knowledge exchange on best practice and lessons learned from different emergencies

2. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams in relevant Country and Regional Offices and with HQ colleagues to effectively coordinate implementation of 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
• Support high-profile advocacy and communications moments or activations, as needed
• Provide support to COs and ROs on humanitarian advocacy challenges as these arise, liaising with EMOPS and relevant HQ teams
• Where needed to support implementation, coordinate cross divisional, international and inclusive teams featuring a variety of advocacy and non-advocacy professionals to deliver advocacy initiatives against strategies, and develop and roll out advocacy work plans

3. Advocacy M&E

• Working with COs and ROs in major emergencies, establish baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored;
• Provide support and guidance to COs and ROs in analyzing the effectiveness of the strategies, approach and activities
• Drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of advocacy M&E results on a regular basis to inform advocacy effectiveness

4. Advocacy capacity building
   • Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy, through proactive and regular contribution to development, refinement and contextualization of humanitarian advocacy capacity building modules for current and emerging humanitarian leaders within UNICEF and where relevant with partners; and through direct coaching, guidance, training and sharing of advocacy expertise, including with Country Office, Regional Office and HQ colleagues and where relevant, National Committees.
5. Stakeholder engagement
   • Identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners, including where relevant at national, regional and global levels
   • Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of each emergency and associated advocacy strategy.
6. Other
   • Undertake other key responsibilities to support the performance and impact of the Humanitarian Advocacy team as required.

Duty Station

NYHQ but Home-based (Remote)

Travel (If Applicable)

Some travel is expected = 3 x trips to Programme Country and budget will be allocated when closer to the date

Timeframe

Start date: 5 December 2022 (or earlier, if doable) End date: 21 November 2023 (or earlier, based on start date)

Deliverables

Duration

Deadline

Percentage

Advocacy strategies developed

11 months

Nov 2023

20%

Advocacy strategies implemented

11 months

Nov 2023

30%

Advocacy M&E conducted – including development and use of humanitarian advocacy M&E tools

11 months

Nov 2023

15%

Countries identified for advocacy capacity building

2 months

Nov 2023

5%

Advocacy capacity building modules developed/contextualized, and delivered

11 months

Nov 2023

20%

Internal and external stakeholders adequately informed and engaged

11 months

Nov 2023

5%

Specific activities executed as planned in a timely way and with all the requested content and quality

11 months

Nov 2023

5%

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

• BA in social sciences, international relations, public policy, international development, public relations, communication or a related field.
• At least five years’ experience in advocacy and campaign strategy development and execution, preferably on both a global and national level, including at least three years on humanitarian issues.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change, ideally on humanitarian issues.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Experience in strategic public engagement activity, based on an understanding of the target audience.
• Strong track record in writing engaging campaign narratives and delivering creative campaign tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including monitoring of results.
• Experience in operating independently at a senior level and in providing expert advice and support on advocacy and campaigns.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization and knowledge of the United Nations system or other international organisations are an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is a strong asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both written and verbal) is required. Other (UN) languages are considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Builds and maintains partnerships: Build a network of external stakeholders and alliances with government counterparts, civil society, the media and the private sector, in order to promote and advance the work of the organization (Level 1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness: Self-aware of own strengths, limitations, working style and deeply held convictions and biases. Displays ethical awareness through behaviours that are consistent and compliant with the standards of conduct for international civil servants, UNICEF’s values and relevant UNICEF policies and procedures (Level 1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact: Commits to action and assumes responsibility and ownership for own performance and the associated outcomes (Level 1)
• Innovates and embraces change: Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change. (Level 1)
• Thinks and acts strategically: Demonstrate resilience and composure, get things done despite challenges and maintain performance levels in pressured, adverse and uncertain environments. (Level 1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity: Understands the big picture and is able to identify potential opportunities for action and challenges that exist. Forms sound evidence-based judgements in the delivery of UNICEF’s results (Level 1)
• Works collaboratively with others: Establish and maintain mutually supportive working relationships, demonstrating sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds, respecting differences and ensuring that all can contribute and succeed. (Level 1)

To view our competency framework, please visit 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4. At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org