Advocacy, Communication and Partnership Officer (NOB), TA appointment for 12 months. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Post #129034. Open to Kyrgyz Nationals only.

Advocacy, Communication and Partnerships are at the center of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate to decision makers for ‘the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential’. We communicate to key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children. We also have to develop partnerships, establishing and deepening financial and non-financial shared-value collaboration with resource partners from private and public sectors.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, future

The NOB Advocacy, Communication and Partnerships  Officer is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of advocacy and communication strategies and to provide research, analysis and recommendations to the Representative and the Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Taskforce and to contribute substantively to organization-wide strategies for partnering with key stakeholders for accelerating and enhancing results for children to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

How can you make a difference? 

The staff member will support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of effective, integrated advocacy and communication strategies. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. Duties include:

1.         Advocacy and communication strategy development and planning:

•           Assist in the development of advocacy and communication strategies and plans to achieve SMART outcomes.

2.         Advocacy and communication strategy implementation:

•           Support the implementation of advocacy and communication strategies, contributing to a range of tactics, such as: the production of assets, writing advocacy briefs, developing narratives, delivering creative campaign activations, organizing events, and cultivating new strategic partnerships.

3.         Digital communications:

•           Support the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences.

4.         Media relations:

•           Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – to communicate the story of UNICEF to a wider audience.

5.         Project and budget support:

•           Support the day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, developing and tracking project plans to ensure progress and address obstacles and bottlenecks.

•           Support effective budget management, projections and tracking.

6.         Support to public and private sector partnership development and management:

•           Research current and potential partners and maintain up-to-date information on partner and income trends, analyze development assistance in Kyrgyzstan and keep resource partner profiles updated.

•           Support the Resource Mobilization task force: help organize meetings and take minutes, develop and monitor action plan and follow up with sections.

•           Assist and maintain a database of formal and informal partnerships and networks whose support is essential to achieving objectives.

•           Provide support in drafting briefing notes for meeting with key donors/development partners, as well as concept papers and donor proposals.

•           Supports development of partnerships with private sector through active outreach with business associations, Chambers of Commerce and individual entrepreneurs in close liaison with programme sections. .

7.         Others:

•           Undertake other key responsibilities to support the performance and impact of advocacy, communications and partnerships work, as required.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A university degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in   in advocacy, communication or campaigning, at a national, regional or global level.  

• Experience in supporting the development of clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting and/or managing projects to completion, including developing and implementing clear processes, and budget management.
• Experienced in digital communications and in managing online platforms and channels.
• Experience in supporting the effective functioning of a team.
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Russian are required.  Knowledge of Kyrgyz language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. national or international NGO, UN or other multilateral organization is an asset.
• Experience in supporting training and facilitation is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable regardless of the region, race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.