Fixed Term: Digital Communication Specialist, NOC, Islamabad, Pakistan

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.

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, Commitment

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of Advocacy & Communication, the Digital Communication Specialist leads the Digital Unit and is responsible for developing and implementing a digital media strategy in Urdu and English (web, social media, video and other digital channels), managing the digital team and their performance and risk management.

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks;

A. Digital strategy development & implementation

• Lead the development of an overall national digital strategy, with SMART outcomes and compelling calls to action.
• Drive the development and implementation of social media campaign strategies that deliver compelling “digital-first” communications and engage target audiences on UNICEF’s national, regional and global advocacy priorities.
• Strengthen the reach and engagement of UNICEF Pakistan’s social media channels, particularly among identified key target audiences such as youth, decision-makers and partners, in Urdu and English.
• Develop and expand the social media presence of UNICEF and UNICEF representatives, tracking performance and identifying new opportunities to increase reach and engagement.
• Develop and implement national adolescent and youth engagement initiatives on digital media. Maintain regular contact with national, regional and global youth initiatives to integrate youth target audience engagement as part of broader social media strategies, as relevant.
• Work closely with programme sections and field offices on the development and implementation of digital influencer and partnership outreach strategies (celebrities, public and private sector, adolescents and young people, etc.) aimed at expanding UNICEF’s reach and engagement with new audiences.
• Utilize social media channels to drive an agile response to relevant breaking news/events, emerging issues, and opportunities to position UNICEF’s mandate in media.
• Lead the development and execution of paid social media marketing strategies for UNICEF Pakistan social media channels.
• Provide technical support to ensure that a set of digital communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated into the UNICEF Pakistan Annual Management Plan and Annual Work Plan.
• Generate timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation reports to ensure communications objectives are met and strategies are effective.

B. Digital content creation and quality control

• Lead the research, planning, and development of high-quality, high-impact, creative, and engaging content (graphics, audio-visuals, animations, and others) on key issues for UNICEF Pakistan’s digital platforms in Urdu and English.
• Transform technical content into social media-friendly language to increase engagement from various sets of audiences.

• Serve as quality control to ensure all content meets UNICEF’s quality standards and branding.

• Adapt content produced by UNICEF HQ into engaging, nationally relevant content.

• Provide oversight and guidance on the monitoring and moderation of social media networks and platforms to ensure both relevant engagement opportunities and reputational risk issues are flagged and acted upon.

C. Digital Analytics and Insights

• Oversee and lead the team’s review of social media performance and other analytic insights, as required or requested.
• Stay abreast of research into new technological developments in the digital world.
• Provide digital intelligence and real-time stakeholder mapping in support of evidence-based communication and direct engagement with external audiences.

D. Management

• Support in strategic planning, including team management and performance assessments, risk management, contracting, budgeting, and work planning.
• Manage additional external consultants as needed.
• Lead budget planning, expenditure, and invoicing for UNICEF Pakistan’s digital channels.

E. Capacity building and support

• Support and advise UNICEF Pakistan’s programme sections on social media strategies.
• Conduct training sessions on social media engagement initiatives and best practices.

• Advise senior management and programme staff on the effective use of social media, new technologies and digital tools.

• Encourage and train staff on how to become social media champions for the organization, to expand reach and win support for UNICEF’s mandate.

F. Coordination and Collaboration:

• Foster strong collaboration with UNICEF ROSA and headquarters to amplify campaigns and content on multiple platforms.
• As needed, collaborate with UNICEF partners and stakeholders on social media messaging and cross-posting.

G. Others:

• Undertake other key responsibilities as required

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

• An advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. *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 work experience in communication, digital marketing, broadcast, and/or new media, of which at least four years of direct experience managing social media channels with significant followings.
• Demonstrated track record of developing successful, compelling soial media campaigns that achieve strong engagement among multiple target audiences.
• Proven ability to write engaging, flawless social media copy on tight deadlines.
• Strong creative disposition and demonstrated ability to stay ahead of the curve in terms of digital trends.
• Prior content strategy/management experience within a global organization addressing multiple target audiences, including decision-makers and youth.
• Strong interpersonal skills in being able to develop and maintain effective working relations with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, be proactive, and possess strong organizational skills, with good attention to detail.
• Familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.
• Ability Fluency in English and Urdu 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others, Nurtures, leads and manages people (8)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• HEC attested/Verified educational certificates are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.