Consultancy: Podcast Producer-Editor Consultant: HEALTH (HIV)/ Programme Group/ NYHQ/ Remote- Req

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, hope

Consultancy Title: Podcast Producer-Editor

Section/Division/Duty Station: Health (HIV)/ Programme Group/ NYHQ

Duration: May to October 2022 (Part Time)

Home/ office Based: Remote

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 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 is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several years of stalling had been observed in the global HIV response, and important gaps remained pertaining to the scale up of ART in children and the prevention of new HIV infections among adolescents and young people. When countries around the world started imposing lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 and suspending non-essential health services in early 2020, mathematical models warned that disruptions to HIV services could result in a reversal of progress made. However, clinical and programmatic data collected from countries throughout the pandemic demonstrated a lower-than-expected disruption of HIV services and a gradual rebound of most services to near pre-pandemic levels following the easing of initial movement restrictions. Many of the lessons learned from 40 years of responding to the HIV epidemic were drawn upon to identify the best means of sustaining Health and HIV programmes while capacity and resources were being redirected to COVID-19. In addition, policy makers, programme managers, practitioners and networks of affected communities were mobilized to implement quick and iterative adaptations and innovations within existing programmes to maintain services. Important new lessons can be learned from these experiences of programming during the COVID-19 pandemic that succeeded in protecting many gains made and accelerating the adoption of new approaches. As we look toward the future of the HIV response within the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, UNICEF aims to review and share the most promising innovations/adaptations and lessons learned as catalysts for change through a new podcast format.

Under the theme ‘Building Back Better’, UNICEF is piloting a podcast focused on some of the interventions and innovations that have helped to make services pregnant women, children and adolescents better – more resilient, more patient centered, more comprehensive than before. Intended as a new mechanism for knowledge sharing, the podcast will invite key actors in the HIV response at global, regional and country level to discuss their programming experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the initial episodes will focus on COVID-19 and HIV, subsequent episodes may take a broader approach to the overarching theme of building stronger systems for HIV within the broader health response.

This part-time consultancy resides within the Policy, Strategy and Innovation (PSI) Unit in the HIV section, Health Programmes Group and reports directly to the Programme Specialist (Knowledge Management and Learning). The Unit is looking for a skilled and organized audio producer/editor, ideally experienced within public health and/or HIV communication, to join the team and support key priorities within our knowledge management and advocacy portfolio.

Scope of Work:

The ideal candidate is a storyteller with a strong journalism background and an interest in HIV/global health in order to take a leading role in developing content, producing and editing compelling audio for the podcasts. Some of the specific tasks include carrying out research, identifying potential speakers and guests, developing interview questions and scripts and collecting compiling and editing interviews to create the final podcast.

The producer will work with the team to develop run of show for each podcast and prepare the groundwork in terms of generating ideas, reaching out to potential speakers and writing the talking points and questions to construct the narrative.

The role will require facilitating recording sessions, managing scheduling and booking, working with the host/s on editorial choices, assemble episodes and work collaboratively across the team to deliver a finished product.

• Assist in production of pilot podcast mini-series (6 episodes of 30-45 minutes each) from pre-production, booking, recording, editing through final deliverables. Based on user analytics, this may be expanded to additional episodes beyond the scope of the contract
• Conduct research, book guests and identify material and topics for use in the podcast while closely collaborating with the PSI team
• Support scriptwriting while liaising with the KM Programme Specialist and host of the podcast
• Edit cuts, mix music, troubleshoot basic technical audio issues
• Help arrange guest interviews and oversee recording sessions
• Proficient with a variety of digital audio software and sound mixing
• Comfortable operating remote audio and technical equipment
• Able to coach talent and host to bring out powerful storytelling and interviews
• Contribute to editorial calendar and long-term podcast vision
• Contribute to audience growth and distribution strategy
• Ensure internal clearance procedures are followed

• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines

  Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1 – Develop, edit and produce pilot episode

• Deliverable 2 – Based on initial feedback received, develop edit and produce additional five episodes

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in journalism, communication or related field
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, other UN languages would be an asset
• Passion and familiarity with podcasts
• A demonstrable interest in and knowledge of development work and global health – HIV would be an asset
• Audio editing skills
• Ability to cut tape in Adobe Audition or Protools is desirable
• Excellent organizational skills and experience managing large and multilayered projects
• Ability to work in an international environment with a diverse team

Work experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience as reporter or producer in journalism, news or current affairs, or other relevant communication experience
• Podcast or radio experience and proven track record of producing high-quality multimedia work

Requirements****:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily rate (in US$) and the number of days required/total rate proposed for undertaking the deliverables in the terms of reference
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

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.

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

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. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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.