Roster of Individual Contractors/Consultants in the Communications unit at the Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence Italy

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, Research

Roster of Individual Contractors/Consultants in the Communications unit at the Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence Italy

1. Background The Office of Research-Innocenti is the dedicated research office of UNICEF. It undertakes and commissions research on emerging or current issues of relevance for children in order to inform the strategic directions, policies and programmes of UNICEF, Governments and their partners. The Office explores emerging issues, identifies research gaps, brings together existing researchers, and supports or undertakes research and data collection to address critical questions and to inform policy dialogue and implementation at country level. Communication is paramount to ensuring the research produced by UNICEF is used to improve practices, policies and programmes for children. Working with internal UNICEF colleagues and external partners including universities, philanthropies, other multilateral organizations, the Communications unit supports disseminating research and evidence to targeted audiences around the world to increase awareness, visibility and uptake of UNICEF Innocenti research.

Activities in the Communications unit fall into two main streams: a) Production of research outputs: Writing, editing, layout and publishing coordination a.1. Members our publications team work to produce the research publications themselves. This includes quality assurance to make sure each publication meets UNICEF standards, adheres to UNICEF style, brand and layout guidelines, etc. Some writing, editing, copyediting, layout and coordination of all of the above involved. Team members coordinate with researchers and external editors/designers to ensure all research publications are correctly named, tagged for accessibility/indexed and uploaded to the website. b) Dissemination of research outputs: Writing, editing, online multimedia synthesizing and sharing b.1. Members of our digital dissemination team develop social media content, multimedia (videos, podcasts, data viz, infographics), content for the website, as well as event promotion and writing/editing of press releases, blogs, other online materials. Members of this team work on content creation alongside research focal points and content dissemination across various targeted and global channels. Team members coordinate on digital strategy and ensure all research messages are promoted across all social media channels, the website, e-newsletters, and through external/partner channels as needed.

2. Purpose The purpose of this call is to solicit applications from individuals who are interested in working with the Communications unit in a consultant/individual contractor capacity. We invite both junior (minimum 3-4 years’ experience) and senior consultants (8+ years) to apply. Following the close of this call, an initial screening and short list will be made, from which selected candidates will be interviewed by Communications senior staff. Approved applicants will be placed on a pre-approved roster which will remain valid for a period of 24 months.

3. Duration of roster-based consultancies: Consultancy arrangements may range from a fixed number of days to 11.5 months, depending on demand, project specifications and funding availability and will be subject to UNICEF General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors. Click here to view General Terms & Conditions for Consultants and Individual Contractors.docx

4. Supervision and work arrangements: Consultants who are selected from the roster will work under the supervision of the Chief of the Communications Unit or other staff in the unit. Consultants may either be locally based in Florence (in which case they will need to have / get a valid permit of stay in Italy) or may work remotely, depending on requirements for each position. Longer-term consultants of six to 11.5 months will usually work full-time all working days and will be entitled to 1.5 days of leave per month plus 10 official UN holidays. The Office of Research will not cover travel expenses to take on the assignment. The work may include incidental travel to participate in field work, workshops or conferences; such travel will be governed by UNICEF travel policies for consultants.

5. Specific activities Consultants/Individual contractors will work under the supervision of the Chief or other staff in the Communications unit and are expected to perform the following activities to support the production and/or dissemination and uptake of Innocenti’s research outputs: • Publication coordination and facilitation: Supporting the production of written outputs including policy reports, working papers, blog posts and policy briefs. This may involve writing, editing, copyediting, proofreading, summarizing, synthesizing research as well as in-house design/layout and/or working with external teams of copyeditors and graphic designers to produce research publications. • Development of creative content and supporting materials: (text/audio/simple video/web seminars and social media posts) to synthesize and promote research produced by the Office of Research. This includes the development of creative, targeted dissemination content (e.g., event promotion, e-newsletters, press releases, blogs, videos, data visualizations, infographics, slide decks, etc.). • Research dissemination: This may include social media posting, sending out newsletters, facilitating events and invitations (virtual or onsite) and updating the website and various online communication channels to share research outputs and summary content with internal and external audiences. • Contribution to the Office of Research work programme and support to the cross-cutting communications work: The consultant will play an active role in shaping and contributing to the digital communications strategy of the office and achieving KPIs for research visibility, awareness, and uptake.

6. Qualifications and/or specialized knowledge/experience required and desirable for being included in the roster • Advanced university degree in journalism, communications or related subjects preferred; • A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible professional work experience working in communications; • Demonstrated experience working in communications for an international, multilateral organization preferred; • Demonstrated experience writing web articles, press releases; newsletters, briefs. • Demonstrated ability to edit and synthesize research; • Ability to do simple layout using a program like Canva would be an asset; • Experience creating content for social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube; • Experience with SEO, paid social advertising an asset; • Comfortable working with multiple online content management systems to upload content to websites preferred; • Experience using Canva, Photoshop, InDesign (Adobe Creative Suite), and video/audio editing skills; • Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent attention to detail; • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work well as part of an international communications team and to forge and manage partnerships across the Office and UNICEF; • Commitment to UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, transparency and accountability; • Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment; experience working in the UN or other international development organization an asset; • Fluency in English required; Fluency in another UN language would be considered an asset.

7. Instructions for applicants To apply, please submit your CV and clearly include in your Cover letter the following information: • Your preferred work stream: (a) Production of research outputs: Writing, editing, layout and publishing coordination (b) Dissemination of research outputs: Writing, editing, online multimedia synthesizing and sharing *note that you can apply simultaneously to more than one work stream; • all-inclusive daily fee rate in USD; You will notice that you are also asked to include this in your application form but we would also like to see it in your cover letter; • contact details (including emails and telephone numbers) of two professional referees. Any application missing these elements will not be considered.

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.

For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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 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. See General Terms & Conditions in the application portal.

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.

Depending on the type and length of contract, consultants may be eligible to receive Paid Time Off (PTO) credit at the rate of one- and one-half days (1.5 days) for each full month of service, to be credited on the last calendar day of the month, and up to 17 days for a maximum of 11.5 months contract.

Payment of professional fees shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including but not limited to lump sum travel, visa, health insurance and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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

Consultants and individual contractors traveling on behalf of UNICEF must meet the standard trip prerequisites, including but not limited to medical clearance and medical evacuation insurance coverage for the duration of the trip, obtain security clearance, be compliant with training requirements (BSAFE), arrange for own necessary visas, vaccinations and liability vaiwer where applicable. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant or individual contractor.

Travel costs to undertake any required fieldwork associated with this Consultancy will be covered by UNICEF’s Office of Research-Innocenti in accordance with UNICEF travel policy. The contract holder will be responsible for arranging their own travel and must be in line with UNICEF policy on entitlements for consultant travel. The consultant will be responsible to use the UNICEF approved airlines exclusively.