Chief Advocacy and Communications

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Description

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• Manage every element of the advocacy strategy process, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, from defining advocacy outcomes, power analysis, and developing a clear theory of change to win the support of decision makers and mobilize key constituencies.

• Drive the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to ensure all strands of the strategy are progressed and mutually reinforcing, for example: data, policy, media, public mobilization, events, and partnerships. Supervise the development of cogent and compelling advocacy and campaign narratives, and the delivery of creative campaign tactics.

• Design effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize public and private support for the cause of children.
• Supervise the implementation of these plans, ensuring they are delivering against agreed outcomes and always in keeping with UNICEF’s mandate.

• Develop a comprehensive digital strategy and lead and manage the Office’s advocacy and communication team responsible for 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.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc. – to ensure we can build public awareness of and support for UNICEF and the cause of children.

• Supervise the development of a clear advocacy and communication M&E framework: setting baselines against which results are regularly monitored; conducting analysis to continuously improve the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and overseeing the production and dissemination of M&E results.

• Provide a protective, nurturing environment for the team – in line with UNICEF’s highest ethical standards and values; respond appropriately to ethical issues and complaints of abuse of authority, bullying and harassment.
• Ensure project management coherence in the activities of the team, conveying strategic priorities and setting clear deliverables.
• Manage inclusive teams featuring a variety of advocacy and communication professionals, to drive and deliver strategic advocacy and communication initiatives.
• Support mobilizing resources for undertaking advocacy and communication. Ensure effective and transparent management of budget and resources.

• Provide strategic direction for partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Partners will include key internal stakeholders, other UN entities, influencers, youth ambassadors, goodwill ambassadors, academics, business leaders and other public and private sector partners.
• Ensure that effective advocacy and communication strategies and plans are co-created with partners, to leverage their power to contribute to UNICEF’s goals. 
• Ensure that feedback from key stakeholders is incorporated into strategy design, implementation and team learning.

• Undertake additional activities as required

• Education: An Advanced University degree is required in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields.
• Experience: At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies with clear theories of change, specific, measurable, and timebound objectives, and performance indicators.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
• Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences
• Experience in leading the development, implementation, and monitoring of digital strategies.
• Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Experience in managing a team is a requirement, along with a proven commitment to a diverse and inclusive recruiting process. Experience managing a multicultural team is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development, and humanitarian issues.
• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset.

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