Senior Adviser, Communication, P-5, New York, OED, PAT 43564

Overview

Produce and manage communications for the Executive Director at UNICEF.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, international relations, social sciences, or humanities.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in communications, international relations or public service.
• Knowledge of UN/UNICEF policies and procedures required.
• Extensive writing and communications experience, with a strong asset in speech writing.
• Very strong written and oral communication skills in English required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

Contract

This is a P-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 194,686 USD and 243,986 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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

The Senior Communications Advisor has primary responsibility for researching and preparing written materials for public and internal dissemination, including but not limited to speeches, staff messages, opinion pieces, forewords, articles, and other publications attributed to the Executive Director; general communications guidance and support for the Executive Director; and other functions for the Executive Director on an as-needed basis.

How can you make a difference?

1. Drafts speeches and other written materials:

• Drafts, plans, and produces, on a constant deadline basis, effective and accurate speeches, talking points, and other materials for public and internal dissemination by the Executive Director. Generates ideas and themes appropriate to the speaker and effective for specific audiences. Manages the speechwriting process, including researching issues, alerting UNICEF professionals to data and information needed, and setting deadlines for receiving material in a timely way.
• Writes about complex issues that demand substantive knowledge of UNICEF/UN policies, programs and goals crossing all subject areas. Participates in process of producing UNICEF flagship publications, acting as liaison for Executive Director. Writes with imagination, creativity, and sensitivity.,.
• Meets with the Executive Director and other senior staff regularly to discuss subjects and stay current on changing, complex matters. Researches audiences to best target specific information and help audiences gain understanding of UNICEF programs and activities. Ensures necessary cultural sensitivities that are required to present information to diverse and international audiences.

2. Performs necessary research to address specific and complex subjects:

• Assumes responsibility for researching material that is often technical, scientific or historical. Maintains substantive and current knowledge of UNICEF policies, programs and activities. Works closely with subject area experts across the organization, to ensure that data and information are current and accurate. Knows where to go for information, develops contacts and maintains ongoing relationships with diverse sources of information. Uses writing skills to interpret complex technical information for both general and specialized audiences and to further public understanding and acceptance of organizational policies and programs.
• Recognizes the needs of the speaker and researches accordingly, providing material that goes beyond the facts to offer the tone, warmth, humor, etc., that create a speaking “comfort level.”

3. Staffs and advises Executive Director at events, briefings:

• When requested, acts as accompanying staff for the Executive Director at key briefings, meetings and events. Assists in ensuring that the Executive Director is prepared and briefed for events and provides support functions.
• Advises the Executive Director on general communications and specific media matters as required, including analyses of messages and audiences.

4. Participates as effective team member within OED and in liaison with other Divisions and Offices:

• Maintains effective working relationships with UNICEF senior staff, including but not limited to the Chief of Staff, Director of Global Communications and Advocacy (DGCA), and the Media Chief. Attends briefings and meetings to remain updated on upcoming events or items of interest to UNICEF and the Executive Director.
• Acts as liaison between OED and DGCA for communications matters, including supporting on the drafting of quotes by the Executive Director for press releases and public statements as required.

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

• • Advanced university degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, international relations, social sciences and/or humanities. A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Minimum 10 years appropriate professional experience in field of work relevant to duties and responsibilities of position, preferably in communications, international relations or other public service.
  • Knowledge of UN/UNICEF policies and procedures required.
  • Extensive writing and communications experience. Prior experience in speech writing is considered a strong asset.
  • Very strong written and oral communication skills in English required. Working knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are..

Core competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies

• Communication - Level III
• Working with People - Level III
• Drive for Results - Level III
• Analyzing - Level II

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

Potential interview questions