Online Volunteer Writer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. With a mission to protect the rights of every child, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to improving child health, education, and welfare. The organization is known for its commitment to non-political and impartial assistance, especially in the most challenging environments, ensuring that the most disadvantaged children receive the support they need to survive and thrive.

Job Overview:
The Online Volunteer Writer position at UNICEF focuses on creating high-quality communication materials that document key children's issues and ongoing responses in the field. The role involves writing, editing, and finalizing various documents, including advocacy toolkits, human interest stories, and social media content. The writer will engage in in-depth interviews with community members, service providers, and beneficiaries to capture their experiences and perspectives. This position is crucial for enhancing UNICEF's communication, advocacy, and visibility efforts, ensuring that the stories of children and families are effectively shared with policymakers, donors, and the public. The writer will also collaborate with photographers to create compelling narratives that accompany visual content, ensuring that all materials adhere to UNICEF's style guide and messaging standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer Writer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Write, edit, and finalize concise and impactful text for various documents, ensuring clarity and coherence.
• Conduct in-depth interviews with community members, service providers, and beneficiaries to gather relevant information and insights.
• Collaborate with photographers to develop powerful captions and narratives for photo essays.
• Review and consolidate materials for knowledge products, ensuring a clear structure and thematic continuity.
• Create digital content for media, including project factsheets, webpages, and stories of change.
• Draft blurbs and content for the UNICEF website as needed.
• Be responsive to feedback and inputs from the UNICEF office, participating in multiple rounds of editing to refine stories and materials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Online Volunteer Writer position should possess strong writing and editing skills, with a keen ability to convey complex information in a clear and engaging manner. Familiarity with UNICEF's mission and values is essential, as is an understanding of child rights and issues affecting children globally. The ideal candidate should demonstrate sensitivity to the contexts in which they are working, particularly when documenting stories from vulnerable populations. Experience in communication, journalism, or a related field is highly desirable, along with a commitment to producing high-quality content that aligns with UNICEF's objectives.

Educational Background:
A background in communications, journalism, international relations, or a related field is preferred for the Online Volunteer Writer position. Candidates should have a strong foundation in writing and editing, with relevant coursework or experience that demonstrates their ability to produce high-quality written materials. A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline will be beneficial for applicants.

Experience:
While specific years of experience may not be required for this volunteer position, candidates should have a demonstrated ability to write and edit effectively, preferably in a professional or academic setting. Experience working with non-profit organizations, particularly in the field of child rights or humanitarian work, will be an advantage. Familiarity with digital content creation and social media platforms is also beneficial, as the role involves producing content for various online channels.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for the Online Volunteer Writer position, as all written materials will be produced in this language. Proficiency in Portuguese or other local languages spoken in Guinea-Bissau is considered a valuable asset, as it may enhance the writer's ability to engage with local communities and stakeholders effectively.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and as such, it may not offer financial compensation. However, it provides an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain experience in communication and advocacy within a reputable international organization. The role may require flexibility in terms of hours and availability, as the writer will need to accommodate feedback and editing requests from the UNICEF office. The position is remote, allowing volunteers to contribute from anywhere while supporting UNICEF's mission to improve the lives of children in Guinea-Bissau.