Internal and External Communication Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children and ensuring their well-being. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in 190 countries and territories, employing thousands of individuals who work tirelessly to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. The organization's mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential, striving to build a better world for everyone. UNICEF's Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) plays a crucial role in advancing this mission by leveraging digital innovation and technology to support and secure a better future for children globally. ICTD focuses on bridging the digital divide, fostering innovation, and implementing resilient digital solutions, particularly in crisis regions, ensuring that every child benefits safely from digital advancements through partnerships and responsible use of emerging technologies.

Job Overview:
The Internal and External Communication Consultant will enhance the visibility and understanding of the ICTD's work within UNICEF. This role involves developing and implementing innovative communication strategies that promote the division’s initiatives, increase awareness, and foster stakeholder engagement. The consultant will report to the UNICEF Communication Manager of ICTD and will collaborate closely with various teams within the division. The position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and innovative thinking to ensure effective and timely communication activities that support information sharing and elevate the visibility of ICTD within UNICEF. The consultant will be responsible for content creation and management, staff engagement, and measuring the impact of communication efforts, ensuring that technical information is clear and accessible while adhering to UNICEF's Brand and Style guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Implementing ICTD’s internal and external communication plan by drafting and creating materials such as articles, key messages, reports, social media posts, video scripts, and presentations.
• Sourcing photographs and video footage on WeShare in collaboration with various sections and global ICT functional colleagues, while keeping SharePoint, Viva, and other channels updated.
• Developing and deploying periodic campaigns to keep staff informed about ICTD tools, platforms, and projects.
• Creating a communication plan/roadmap template to improve communication flow from management to staff.
• Organizing and sharing important internal tech-related information and best practices in coordination with sections.
• Collecting and analyzing feedback to enhance future communication efforts and regularly reporting on progress while suggesting improvements.
• Creating and publishing 5-7 general and technical content pieces per month, sourcing at least 10 multimedia assets to accompany the content, and designing regular internal updates to keep staff engaged and informed.
• Contributing to divisional or section townhalls with materials and maintaining the SCS SharePoint site to ensure it remains relevant and well-organized.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in fields such as Marketing, Communications, Non-profit or Business Management, or another relevant area. Alternatively, a first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the communication field. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, along with strong writing, editing, and proofreading abilities. Proficiency in MS Office is essential, and candidates should exhibit innovative ideas, planning capabilities, appropriate judgment, perseverance, and effective prioritization and resource allocation skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as Marketing, Communications, Non-profit or Business Management. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree, allowing for flexibility in educational qualifications while still ensuring a strong foundation in the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the communication field. This experience should encompass a range of communication activities, including content creation, stakeholder engagement, and the development of communication strategies. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of effectively communicating complex information in a clear and engaging manner, as well as experience in working collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish is considered an asset. Familiarity with a local language may also enhance a candidate's profile, particularly in regions where UNICEF operates, as it can facilitate better communication and engagement with local communities.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy position is 12 months. Candidates are required to submit a financial proposal indicating their ability, availability, and overall rate or rate per deliverable in US dollars. Applications submitted without a rate will not be considered. It is important to note that individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered 'staff members' under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein, such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. Selected candidates will be subject to rigorous reference and background checks, and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF.