Communication 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. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, and it fosters a culture of inclusivity and growth, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Communication Specialist position at UNICEF is pivotal in developing, managing, coordinating, and implementing advocacy and communication strategies aimed at promoting awareness and support for children's and women's rights. The role involves working closely with public audiences to enhance understanding and respect for UNICEF's mission and objectives. The specialist will be responsible for creating a clear communication strategy that aligns with UNICEF's goals, ensuring that children's issues are prominently featured in public discourse. This includes maintaining relationships with media outlets, developing partnerships with stakeholders, and integrating global communication priorities into local contexts. The specialist will also support resource mobilization efforts through effective advocacy and communication activities, manage human and financial resources effectively, and evaluate the impact of communication strategies regularly. Additionally, the role requires providing expertise and support to the communication team and the country program team, ensuring that all external relations communication is handled professionally and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with UNICEF's mission and objectives.
• Maintain and enhance relationships with media outlets, ensuring regular communication and collaboration.
• Build and sustain a network of stakeholders, including individuals, organizations, and coalitions that support advocacy and communication objectives.
• Engage celebrities and public figures to support UNICEF's initiatives and participate in events.
• Integrate global communication priorities and campaigns into local strategies, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
• Support fundraising activities through targeted advocacy and communication efforts.
• Manage the communication team and budget effectively, ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Establish communication baselines and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and activities regularly.
• Provide professional expertise and advice on external relations communication to the Representative and country program team. 1
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF's standards for child safeguarding and ethical conduct in all communications.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Communication, or other relevant fields.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, campaigning, and communications.
• Proven track record in deploying advocacy and communication strategies for tangible impact.
• Experience in building and maintaining networks of stakeholders, including media and UN counterparts.
• Proficiency in digital and social media content management and audience engagement.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas succinctly and engagingly.
• Demonstrated experience in project design and management, including budget oversight and evaluation.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree in relevant fields such as Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, or Communication. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of advocacy and communication in the context of UNICEF's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy, campaigning, and communications. Candidates should have a proven ability to implement effective advocacy and communication strategies that lead to measurable outcomes. Experience in stakeholder engagement, particularly within media and UN contexts, is highly desirable. Additionally, familiarity with digital and social media trends is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian is required for this position. Knowledge of the Kyrgyz language is considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must meet medical clearance and vaccination requirements as part of the hiring process. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during recruitment and selection.