Vacancy Announcement: Chief Advocacy & Communication, P4 Accra Ghana, Post No. 00071237(Ghanaians are NOT eligible to apply)

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 133,362 USD and 171,943 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, an advocate

UNICEF has been the leading child-rights organization, and a respected partner, for saving and improving children’s lives.

In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to ensure equitable access to quality social services, and to expand children’s opportunities to reach their full potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP) and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending violence and open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include evidence-based advocacy, system strengthening, integrated programming across sectors, emergency preparedness and response, and innovation.

How can you make a difference?

The position Chief Advocacy and Communication reports to the Representative (D1) for general guidance and direction and with technical support from Regional Adviser Communication. It is responsible for managing communication function by leading a team of Communication Officers and/or the unit consisting of a group of several professionals and support staff. Accountable for communication strategy development, programme formulation and design, planning, and implementation, based on rights- and results-based management approach focused on achieving UNICEF's communication priorities as established by the country office, DOC and supportive of the UN Country Team. Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through active external relations communication, advocacy, participation and policy dialogue. Work closely with Representative on relations with media and senior government officials and develop external relations strategy. Manage media relations as per established strategies and campaigns.

In the Ghana Country Office, the position leads the External Communication Unit. The post manages two (2) national professionals (NO) and 1 International UNV. It establishes communication work plan, monitor compliance and provide training, support and guidance to communication team and human resources management in the area of communication. Provide feasible and effective recommendations on communication implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the awareness, advocacy and promotion of the rights of children and women.

1. Advocacy strategy development:

• Lead every element of the advocacy strategy process, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, from defining advocacy outcomes, power analysis, and developing a clear theory of change to win the support of decision makers and mobilize key constituencies.

2. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Drive the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to ensure all strands of the strategy are progressed and mutually reinforcing, for example: data, policy, media, public mobilization, events, and partnerships. Supervise the development of cogent and compelling advocacy and campaign narratives, and the delivery of creative campaign tactics.

3. Communication strategy development and implementation:

• Design effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize public and private support for the cause of children.
• Supervise the implementation of these plans, ensuring they are delivering against agreed outcomes and always in keeping with UNICEF’s mandate.

4. Digital strategy:

• Develop a comprehensive digital strategy and lead and manage the Office’s advocacy and communication team responsible for the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences.

5. Media relations:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc. – to ensure we can build public awareness of and support for UNICEF and the cause of children.

6. Advocacy and communication M&E:

• Supervise the development of a clear advocacy and communication M&E framework: setting baselines against which results are regularly monitored; conducting analysis to continuously improve the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and overseeing the production and dissemination of M&E results.

7. Team building, project and budget management:

• Provide a protective, nurturing environment for the team – in line with UNICEF’s highest ethical standards and values; respond appropriately to ethical issues and complaints of abuse of authority, bullying and harassment.
• Ensure project management coherence in the activities of the team, conveying strategic priorities and setting clear deliverables.
• Manage inclusive teams featuring a variety of advocacy and communication professionals, to drive and deliver strategic advocacy and communication initiatives.
• Support mobilizing resources for undertaking advocacy and communication. Ensure effective and transparent management of budget and resources.

8. Advocacy and communication capacity building:

• Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication, through coaching, training and sharing of expertise.

9. Stakeholder engagement:

• Provide strategic direction for partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Partners will include key internal stakeholders, other UN entities, influencers, youth ambassadors, goodwill ambassadors, academics, business leaders and other public and private sector partners.
• Ensure that effective advocacy and communication strategies and plans are co-created with partners, to leverage their power to contribute to UNICEF’s goals.
• Ensure that feedback from key stakeholders is incorporated into strategy design, implementation and team learning.

10. Others: Undertake additional activities as required.

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

• • An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations *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.
  • At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required.
  • Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies, with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives, and performance indicators.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills are required.
  • A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
  • Proven experience in deploying a range of high-quality advocacy and communication tactics based on a clear theory of change.
  • Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences.
  • Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.
  • Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels.
  • Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
  • Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
  • Experience in managing a team is a requirement, along with a proven commitment to diverse and inclusive recruiting process. Experience managing a multicultural team is an asset.
  • Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
  • Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.
  • Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
  • Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
  • Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.

  Fluency in English 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, (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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

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. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable females are encouraged to apply.

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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 a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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