Communications Assistant

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. UNICEF Health program is designed to support national health priorities with focus on programs that will positively impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged children, such as the prevention and treatment of diseases through establishing community-level efforts and services to promote the health and well-being of children. In line with this strategy, UNICEF supports immunization and health prevention programs for childhood diseases and funding for sustainable health services. UNICEF programs have been guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which affirms the right of all children to “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.”
UNICEF is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a happy and healthy child begins before birth: from ensuring his/her mother has access to good neonatal care and delivering in a clean, safe environment to reaching adulthood as a responsible, healthy and informed parent to the next generation. This journey relies on a child having access to shelter, good nutrition, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

Context

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. Equity accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
As part of the efforts of Communication, Advocacy and Partnership Section to ensure UNICEF Kaduna and Sokoto Field Offices achieve their strategic Communication, Advocacy and Partnership goals, in Communicating and showcasing UNICEF-supported Programmes and impact of interventions, and to address the professional Communication human resource gaps which currently exist, and therefore hinder the attainment of these objectives, the CAP section is seeking to hire two Communication Assistantswho will work as members of the NCO CAP team in order to improve the Country Office’s Communication and Advocacy goals, with specific attention to Sokoto and Kaduna Field Offices.
The UN Volunteer Communications Assistants will play a critical role in implementing UNICEF’s
communications and advocacy strategies in Sokoto and Kaduna field Offices.The role involves a wide range of communications activities, including digital content creation, media relations, and community engagement to support UNICEF Nigeria’s mission.

Task description

Reporting to the Chief of Field Office, with direct guidance from the Communications Specialist based in Kano Field Office, the incumbents will accomplish the following tasks:
1. Content Development and Management:
 Develop and disseminate compelling communications materials (e.g., stories, blog posts, social media content, ) that align with UNICEF’s strategic priorities.
 Capture and document human interest stories and testimonials that highlight UNICEF’s
impact in the region.
 Manage and update UNICEF Nigeria’s digital presence in Sokoto and Kaduna and contribute
to UNICEF Nigeria social media accounts and website.
2. Media Relations:
 Build and maintain relationships with local media outlets and journalists.
 Coordinate media field visits and facilitate interviews to increase visibility of UNICEF’s work.
 Pitch story ideas and share approved press releases statements with media.
 Monitor media coverage and report on trends and opportunities for enhanced engagement.
3. Advocacy and Community Engagement:
 Support advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting children’s rights and UNICEF’s agenda.
 Engage with stakeholders to raise awareness about UNICEF’s work and child rights issues.
 Participate in and report on field missions and events related to UNICEF’s programmes.
 Support and document high-level Advocacy engagements.
4. Capacity Building:
 Provide communications support and training to UNICEF staff and partners in the region.
 Assist in developing and disseminating communication tools and resources.
5. Reporting and Coordination:
 Work closely with the Communications Specialist in the Kano Field Office and report to the Chief of Field Office.
 Coordinate with other UN agencies and partners on joint communications efforts.
 Prepare regular reports on communications activities and outcomes and share with the
Chiefs of Field Office and Communication, Advocacy and Partnership.
Results/expected outputs:
 Compelling communications materials that align with UNICEF’s strategic priorities regularly
developed and disseminated.
 Impact of the Work of UNICEF in the region and the contributions of donors and partners
documented and disseminated regularly.
 Content from the region contributing consistently and prominently to UNICEF Nigeria social media accounts and website.
 Relationships with local media outlets and journalists nurtured and sustained.
 Story of the Nigerian child in the region communicated to key audiences and visibility of
UNICEF’s work facilitated.
 Media coverage and report on trends and opportunities for enhanced media engagement
monitored and shared with Chief of Communication.
 Advocacy initiatives and messages on children’s rights disseminated to decision makers, policy makers, influencers and stakeholders in the region.
 UNICEF staff and partners in the region have capacity, tools and resources for effective
communication.
 Coordination fostered with UN agencies and partners on joint communications promoting
children’s rights.
 Reports on communications activities and outcomes prepared and shared with the Chiefs of Field Office and Communication, Advocacy and Partnership.