National Consultant Comms _ Youth Advocacy

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 worldwide, and it emphasizes a culture of inclusivity and growth.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening the program delivery, documentation, and communication of UNICEF Lao PDR’s adolescent development and participation initiatives. This position is part of the UN Joint Programme on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH), funded by the Government of Luxembourg. The consultant will be responsible for contributing to cross-UN adolescent health initiatives, enhancing communication and visibility for Luxembourg-funded RMNCH interventions, and supporting the design and monitoring of Project Sinxay, which is UNICEF’s flagship platform for adolescent development and participation. The consultant will also be tasked with delivering monthly outputs, including reports, toolkits, stories, and social media content, thereby ensuring effective communication and advocacy for youth engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of cross-UN adolescent health and life-skills initiatives that aim to improve RMNCH outcomes and promote youth well-being.
• Strengthen communication strategies to enhance visibility and donor recognition for Luxembourg-funded RMNCH interventions that actively involve adolescents as advocates and changemakers.
• Support the design, delivery, and monitoring of Project Sinxay, ensuring that it meets its objectives and engages youth effectively.
• Produce monthly outputs, including comprehensive reports, toolkits, stories, and M&E inputs, as well as engaging social media content to promote the initiatives.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and youth networks, to foster partnerships and enhance program delivery.
• Ensure that all communications are aligned with UNICEF’s values and strategic objectives, maintaining a focus on child rights and advocacy.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of demonstrable work experience at the national or international level in youth advocacy, communication, resource mobilization, and partnership development.
• At least 2 years of experience working with Government/Mass Organizations and youth networks in Lao PDR.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to cope with stressful conditions while demonstrating political and cultural sensitivity.
• Proven experience in implementing time-limited projects and the ability to express ideas clearly in both written and oral forms, producing reports in a timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international, multicultural, and interdisciplinary environment, establishing effective working relationships.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social/Human Sciences, or other related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of communication and advocacy in the context of youth development and health initiatives.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2-3 years of relevant work experience, particularly in areas related to youth advocacy, communication, and partnership development. Candidates should have experience working at both national and international levels, with a strong emphasis on collaboration with government entities and youth networks in Lao PDR. Experience in managing projects and working in challenging environments is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in Lao and English is mandatory, with excellent drafting and oral presentation skills. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to engage with diverse stakeholders and produce high-quality reports and content. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is for a duration of 12 months, starting as soon as possible. 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 their background. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles.