UNICEF
Communication Specialist (Advocacy), P-4, ESARO, Nairobi, #99170
Job no: 498852
Work type: Fixed Term Staff
Location: Kenya
Categories: Communication
/ External Relations, P-4, Alliances and Resource Mobilization, Private
Fundraising and Partnerships, UN and Multilateral Affairs
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development.
The world's largest provider of
vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition,
good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and
the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
UNICEF is funded entirely by the
voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and
governments.
Purpose of the Position: As the development space becomes increasingly competitive, regional advocacy is essential to the positioning of UNICEF within Eastern and Southern Africa.
Purpose of the Position: As the development space becomes increasingly competitive, regional advocacy is essential to the positioning of UNICEF within Eastern and Southern Africa.
In Africa, political influence and
the peer review system at the highest political and government levels are
critical for policy advocacy and leveraging of priorities. Within this context,
UNICEF advocacy must be strengthened at a regional level.
The Regional Management Team (RMT) in ESA selected five priorities based on their relevance and significance for the majority of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. As a core part of work for the Eastern & Southern Africa region, the realization of the regional priorities requires concerted and strategic advocacy.
The Regional Management Team (RMT) in ESA selected five priorities based on their relevance and significance for the majority of countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. As a core part of work for the Eastern & Southern Africa region, the realization of the regional priorities requires concerted and strategic advocacy.
The post will lead specialized
functions, dedicated to leading, coordinating and supporting advocacy efforts
in positioning UNICEF and advancing the organisation's regional priorities for
the most vulnerable children and women, together with the region's advocacy on
the so-called Generation 2030.
Through strategic communication
content, strategic advocacy partnerships and astute use of both advocacy and
media platforms, the Post will amplify the regional priorities within UNICEF
and with the RCEs, which are vital for peer accountability across Africa.
As such, this post will allow for the full operationalization of the regional advocacy plans, and issues within 'Generation 2030', through five critical areas:
As such, this post will allow for the full operationalization of the regional advocacy plans, and issues within 'Generation 2030', through five critical areas:
- Reframing and strategic messaging on UNICEF
regional priorities;
- Identification and use of advocacy windows of
opportunity, advocacy platforms and influencers;
- Development of quality communication and
advocacy tools;
- Development of strategic partnerships and
alliances to advance UNICEF priorities;
- Capacity development of Communication staff in
COs so to advocate on these priority areas in country.
The Communication Specialist–Advocacy
Post is a vital link between policy advocacy and public advocacy for ESAR on
the regional priorities, linking with media corps in Addis, Nairobi and
Johannesburg, and positioning advocacy issues and perspectives.
The advocacy role will lead in gaining the active support of UNICEF's policy and programme work, expressed through strategies and methods so as to influence the opinions and decisions of Regional leaders, Governments, donors and key stakeholders.
Key Expected Results
The major end results would include:
The advocacy role will lead in gaining the active support of UNICEF's policy and programme work, expressed through strategies and methods so as to influence the opinions and decisions of Regional leaders, Governments, donors and key stakeholders.
Key Expected Results
The major end results would include:
- High quality communication and advocacy tools,
materials and campaigns developed, across the 16 Focus Areas of the
regional priorities.
- Increased political commitment from leaders
and governments in ESAR to UNICEF's regional priorities, through select
regional political faces/influencers, championing the regional priorities
at regional and national platforms so as to build political will;
- Increased awareness and coverage from the
media emerging, from astute tactical media engagement that pitches &
positions regional priorities through media roundtables, briefings, field
visits, press kits and opinion pieces;
- UN and civil society partners championing ESA
regional priorities, through deliberate advocacy partnerships that
strengthen the UNICEF positioning on the regional priorities;
- Strong engagement with key UNICEF ambassadors;
- Policy makers in Eastern and Southern Africa
are aware of and refer to Gen2030 data, opportunities and recommendations;
public and private resources increasingly focus on Gen2030 priorities and
demographic dividend models; and citizens, especially youth and children,
participate and engage to highlight Gen2030 priorities.
Key Accountabilities and Duties &
Tasks
Under the guidance of the Regional Chief of Communication undertake the following responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Regional Chief of Communication undertake the following responsibilities:
- Support the implementation of the regional
advocacy strategies on five regional priorities through high quality
communication and advocacy tools, materials and campaigns developed,
across the 16 Focus Areas of the regional priorities.
- Strategic engagement through Key Messages,
Op-Eds, Special Events and PSAs of select regional political
faces/influencers, championing the regional priorities at regional and
national platforms so as to build political will; including identification
of key platforms and audiences for such communication materials.
- Media Engagement and Public Advocacy with
regional media emerging from astute tactical media engagement that pitches
& positions regional priorities through media roundtables, briefings,
field visits, press kits and opinion pieces
- Partnership and alliance building with development
partners in the UN family and among civil society partners, so as to
champion ESA regional priorities, through deliberate advocacy partnerships
that strengthen the UNICEF positioning on the regional priorities
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
- Advanced university degree in Communication,
Journalism, Public Relation (or a Bachelor's degree plus at least 10 years
of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism,
communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or
corporate communications.)
- At least eight years of progressively
responsible professional work experience in communication, public and
private advocacy, and development communication;
- Experience with the UN and African
Institutions highly desirable;
- Experience in forming advocacy partnerships
essential;
- Experience in conceiving, writing and
implementing advocacy strategies essential;
- Proven strong writing skills.
- Fluency in English required. Knowledge of
French, Portuguese and/or Swahili an asset.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values
Core Values
- Commitment
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Integrity
Core competencies
- Communication - Level III
- Working with People - Level II
- Drive for Results - Level II
Functional Competencies
- Leading and Supervising - Level I
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Level II
- Relating and Networking - Level II
- Persuading and Influencing - Level II
- Applying Technical Expertise - Level II
- Entrepreneurial Thinking - Level II
To view our competency framework,
please click
here.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to apply online
Advertised: 09 Sep 2016 E. Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 26 Sep 2016 E. Africa Standard Time
