Communication Specialist - UNICEF Job in Kenya


UNITED Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Kenya Country Office

Communication Specialist - NOC 

Fixed Term Appointment

Date of Issue:    20 July 2012

Closing Date:    02 August 2012

Applications are hereby invited from suitably-qualified candidates who are Kenyan Nationals to fill the above position on a Fixed Term Appointment in the Advocacy & Partnerships Section of UNICEF Kenya Country Office.

Purpose of Post:


The overall assignment of the position of Communication Specialist will be conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote the respect for children’s’ and women’s rights and support UNICEF’s mission in the country.

 Major Duties and Responsibilities:


Required Qualifications:  Master’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or equivalent professional work experience in the communication area.

With the Chief of Communication, develops and implements an Advocacy and Partnerships strategy to position children’s’ and women’s’ issues in the public domain, and strengthens political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives. 

Develops key partnerships with parliamentarians and other leaders to advance the social policy advocacy agenda. Develops communication indicators and monitors the impact of communication and advocacy strategies.

Develops close collaboration with mass media through activities such as organizing visits to project sites, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, and utilizes both web-based and traditional media when appropriate to generate and maintain public interest in children’s and women’s issues, and to tell the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

Coordinates the development, posting and maintenance of new and updated material for the UNICEF Kenya web-site. Identifies the need for radio and television programmes, publications, photographs etc., to advocate and promote organizational/programme goals within the country, and manages their production and distribution to the target audiences. Adapts and disseminates advocacy materials from New York, Geneva and the Regional Office to identified target audiences, arranging translations into local language(s), as necessary. 

Strengthens capacity of groups and  organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to updated information, supplies and equipment and through experience-sharing.

Engages nationally known personalities and organizes special events and activities to support country programme goals.  

Generates public support for special events, including the launch of UNICEF flagship publications, e.g. the State of the World’s Children Report.

Assists HQ and the Regional Office in identifying and obtaining feature stories and other material to facilitate global/regional advocacy and fund-raising activities, particularly in support of National Committee efforts to mobilize resources.

Identifies, recruits and supervises technical resources and consultants, as necessary, for the above activities.

Plans visits of Goodwill ambassadors, National Committee representatives and Executive Board members, including preparation of information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and coordinates logistic arrangements.

Competencies:
  • Excellent communication skills (detail-oriented)
  • Drive for  Results
  • Commitment
  • Integrity
  • Diversity and Inclusion     
  • Formulating Strategies and Concepts
  • Analyzing
  • Planning and Organizing (ability to multi-task and prioritize)
  • Relating and Networking
  • Persuading and Influencing
  • Deciding and Initiating Action
  • Creating and Innovating
  • Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
  • Applying Technical Expertise
  • Working with People
  • Leading and Supervising 
  • Entrepreneurial Thinking 
Experience: 

At least five years progressive experience in communication, print and broadcast media or interactive digital media, of which two years should be in developing countries. 

A good understanding of policy advocacy would be an asset. Significant field experience and UN experience would be an advantage.

Language(s):    

Fluency in English and another UN working language required.  
Knowledge of Kiswahili would be an asset.

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications along with their curricula vitae (internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation Reports), to:

The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org 

Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/COMMS/2012-029”in the email subject.

“qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply”

Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse

UNICEF is a smoke-free environment