Communication Consultant, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

Background….

The 2gether 4 SRHR Regional Communications Working Group is mandated to oversee the implementation of the Communication Strategy for 2gether 4 SRHR programme and make decisions that are in accordance with the objectives, approach, and scope of the approved communications strategy.

UNICEF chairs the Regional Communications Working Group and leads on efforts to:

• Successfully build a public profile and visibility of the programme to expand awareness and implementation of, and demand for, integrated services,
• Support high-level advocacy around SRHR, HIV and SGBV,
• Amplify lessons on integration of SRHR, HIV and SGBV, and
• Guide strategic communication

In order to deliver significant Communication oversight on SRHR, it is vital that we secure dedicated support given the low capacity within the Communication Section. Under the overall guidance and direction of the Regional Communication Specialist, and guidance from the Regional Advisor for HIV and SRHR, the consultant will ensure technical support, guidance and coordination for the 2gether 4 SRHR programme as well as other regional public advocacy priorities such as climate change as time allows.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Regional Communication and Advocacy Specialist, UNICEF ESARO, the consultant will deliver high-quality communication tools, strategies and materials for the 2gether 4 SRHR programme. They will forge strong relationships with UN and civil society partners that strengthen UNICEF positioning on the programme, as well as regularly liaise with colleagues in relevant Country Offices and Headquarters on storytelling. They will also support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a communications, visibility and branding strategy to highlight the work of the Joint regional UN 2gether 4 SRHR programme. 

The consultant may also be called on to provide communications support for other regional advocacy priorities and key visibility projects.

The consultant will be required to work with a variety of parties involved in the assignment and will need to develop positive working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and UNICEF staff.

The consultant will:

1. Lead the Regional Communications Working Group of the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme and to ensure a coordinated approach to increasing the visibility of the Joint Programme; 
2. In collaboration with partners, develop, implement, monitor and report on an integrated communications, visibility and branding strategy and its implementation annual plans that incorporate the use of traditional, social and digital media to amplify the visibility of the 2gether 4 SRHR programme in partnership with the RCWG;   
3. Identify opportunities to amplify the key accomplishments of the joint programme and develop talking points, briefing notes, and press releases for senior policy and decision makers; 
4. Support efforts to engage media networks to build their capacity and promote regular and appropriate reporting on key issues relating to SRHR and HIV and other key advocacy priorities such as climate change in the region; 
5. Organise special events and wider communication activities that are designed to amplify the visibility of the joint programme or other regional priorities as required; 
6. Provide regular inputs into the M&E reports of the joint programme on the communications and visibility activities undertaken. 

Payment Schedule

Payment will be made upon the satisfactory quality deliverables as scheduled and described in the previous section.

For every child, reimagine the future.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or a communication-related field; a university degree in a related field plus an additional two years of required relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least eight years of professional work experience in Communication, or a related field;

• Good knowledge of development issues, especially children’ issues and UNICEF’s work;
• Excellent project management, analytical and writing skills, including managing cross-agency communication projects;
• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of parts of Eastern and Southern Africa is a bonus.
• Experience of delivering communications work on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV and / or climate change is a bonus.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:
  • Care
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Trust
  • Accountability
  • Sustainability
• Competencies that the consultant should have for the assignment:
  • Builds and maintain partnerships
  • Innovates and embraces change
  • Drive to achieve results for impact
  • Works collaboratively with other
• Excellent English language skills  

Administrative issues

• The consultant will be based remotely, but some travel within the region from Kenya is required.
• Schedule for progress meetings throughout the contract duration will be required.
• All travel (in case of any) will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
• Should there be travel, depending on COVID-19 travel restrictions, the UNICEF office would cover subsistence allowances and travel costs. If the consultant/contractor is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country.
• Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

Conditions

• The consultant will be required to undertake three missions from Kenya to locations in the region – two missions to South Africa and one mission to Malawi. All travel (in case of any) will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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 be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.