International Consultant - International Writer, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy 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, a voice.

UNICEF started operation in Cambodia in 1952 and opened first country office in 1973 in Phnom Penh. More information on what we do in Cambodia is available at https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Cambodia’s Communication Section is responsible for the organisation’s public advocacy and communication, risk communication and community engagement in the country. To fulfill this mission, a wide range of communication assets and materials are produced on a regular basis, including documents for advocacy, accountability, awareness-raising, information sharing, community engagement and fundraising purposes.

The Communication Section works closely with programme teams and partners to communicate with the media, the public, and donors to advocate for a wide range of issues, aiming to improve the lives of Cambodian children and youth.

Compelling written materials are therefore an integral part of UNICEF’s brand, and as such, its publications and other documents must be clearly understood and resonate with their intended audience and be professionally crafted following global communication guidelines.

UNICEF Cambodia is in need of external support for various communication products in the English language. This advertisement’s purpose is two-fold: to select a writer to join the Communication Section for a period of 8 months, from 1 July 2023 – 29 February 2024 and to establish a roster of a selected small pool of professional writers, who can then be called upon as needs arise.

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Communication, this role is responsible for developing narratives, human interest stories, key messages, copy for photo essays, advocacy briefs, newsletters and blogs, media briefs and press releases, video/radio scripts and social media content in English

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

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in English, Journalism, Communication, or relevant field
• Minimum 3 years of progressive experience in communication and writing for an external audience
• Experience in drafting advocacy documents from researches or studies is desirable
• Experience in conducting interviews for collecting information/case studies is desirable
• Experience working with UNICEF or other development organisations is a plus.
• Outstanding writing skills in the English language with demonstrated ability for logical and analytical writing as well as ‘de-jargoning’ technical language for a wider audience
• Well organised and structured, good attention to detail
• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Knowledge and understanding of Cambodia and its development context
• Knowledge of child rights issues is desirable

Please find the terms of reference for this consultancy in this attachment: Terms of Reference - Full-Time Writer TMS.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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:

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).