Job: Communication Specialist

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Deadline: Friday, 22 November 2013

Purpose of the Position

Under the general guidance of the Representative, responsible for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote respect for childrens` and womens` rights and support UNICEF`s mission in the country.

Key Expected Results

1. Develops a strategy to get childrens` rights into the public domain, and strengthen political will in support of UNICEF`s mission and objectives, (including communication assessment and analysis, development of a communication plan, strategic use of resources and involvement in key programme processes, especially situation analysis, reviews and evaluations). Monitors and evaluates its impact.

2. Develops close collaboration with mass media through activities such as organizing visits to project sites, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, and utilizes both web-based and traditional media when appropriate to generate and maintain public interest in childrens` rights, and tell the story of UNICEF`s cooperation to a wider audience.

3. Develops partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations including the UNICEF NatComs and the private sector whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives, and strengthens their capacity through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to updated information, supplies and equipment and through experience-sharing.

4. Adapts and disseminates advocacy materials from NY, Geneva and the Regional Office to identified target audiences, arranging translations into local language(s), as necessary. Identifies the need for additional materials/activities, such as radio and television programmes, publications, photographs, websites, etc., to advocate and promote organizational goals within the country, and manage their production and distribution to the target audiences.

5. Engages nationally and internationally known personalities and organizes special events and activities to support country programme goals. Generates public support for special events.

6. Assists HQ and the Regional Office in identifying and obtaining feature stories and other material to facilitate global/regional advocacy and fund-raising activities, particularly in support of National Committee efforts to mobilize resources. 7. Identifies recruits and supervises technical resources and consultants, as necessary, for the above activities.

8. Advises the Representative and the country programme team on the effective use of tools of mass communication, including press briefings and conferences and media interviews, to achieve country programme objectives.

9. Ensure advocacy activities by planning visits of goodwill ambassadors, National Committee representatives and Executive Board members, including preparation of information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and necessary logistic arrangements.

10. Develops a work plan for communication activities congruent with the Country Programme Workplan, monitors compliance and provides support and guidance to ensure objectives are met. This includes performance planning, monitoring and appraisal. Plans and monitors the use of communication budgetary resources.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations; or equivalent professional work experience in the communication area, combined with an advanced university degree in a related discipline.
• Five years of relevant work experience in communication, print and broadcast media or interactive digital media, of which two years should be in developing countries.
• Fluency in English and another UN working language.
• Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. - Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing UNICEF`s mission.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

More Info and Application