Communications Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of building careers that contribute to the welfare of children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The Communications Specialist will play a crucial role in developing, managing, coordinating, and implementing the communication strategy for Generation Unlimited (GenU), a global partnership aimed at connecting young people aged 10-24 to opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The incumbent will be responsible for activating GenU's partnership network and promoting awareness and advocacy around the youth skills-to-opportunity gap. This position requires a strategic approach to communication, focusing on resource mobilization, networking, and multimedia storytelling to engage various stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. The role is pivotal in driving the mission of UNICEF to support adolescents and ensure their rights are upheld.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key accountabilities for this position include:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with GenU's goals.
• Leading influential campaigns and special events to raise awareness and mobilize resources.
• Building and maintaining partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance collaboration and impact.
• Monitoring and evaluating communication KPIs to assess the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives.
• Creating multimedia content that tells impactful stories about youth engagement and opportunities.
• Providing capacity building and support to partners and stakeholders to enhance their communication efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible work experience in communication, media, or storytelling is required. Strong management skills and effective communication abilities are essential, along with a solid understanding of media fundamentals. Proficiency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of communication strategies and their impact on youth engagement and advocacy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible work experience in communication, broadcasting, print, and/or new media. Candidates should have a proven track record in storytelling and digital media management, with experience in the UN system being highly desirable. Relevant experience in development, particularly in fragile settings and humanitarian contexts, is also beneficial.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is required for this role. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to UNICEF's policies and procedures, including medical clearance and background checks. Candidates may be required to provide additional information for background verification. The role emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their background. UNICEF offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization promotes flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones and prioritize staff wellbeing. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF, and all staff may be called upon to support humanitarian responses as needed.