Communication Officer (Advocacy), NO 2, Temporary Appointment, Manila, Post no. 122912

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF Philippines is looking for a Communications Officer (Advocacy) who would assists in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating advocacy and communication plans for UNICEF’S Programme Partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
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.

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.

For every child, a fair chance

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have worked in the Philippines continuously since 1948.

UNICEF’s vision for every child in the Philippines is intimately linked to the realization of several Sustainable Development Goals and the promise to leave no one behind.  By 2030, we want to see that no child in the Philippines suffers from hunger; that every child has access to good health services, quality education opportunities, clean water, and toilets; and children grow up protected and develop in an inclusive, just, and peaceful society.

Since its establishment, UNICEF has been helping the Philippine government to strengthen national policies, programmes, and services to ensure that all Filipino children enjoy their rights. UNICEF supports the Government to extend the coverage and implementation of policies and legislation that benefit children and the most disadvantaged; to support the implementation of positive budget reforms and leverage the considerable fiscal space; to innovate and adapt national programmes to support inclusivity and relevance in diverse remote rural areas, impoverished urban areas, hazard and conflict-prone areas; and to strengthen national capacity to monitor change for children.

As an impartial partner, we are mandated to work with both state and non-state actors to protect the rights and promote the wellbeing of every child. We have successfully worked through many Government reforms in the Philippines, and we continue to work with the national government, its different agencies, and departments, and with local government units and authorities, including the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

UNICEF’s capacity, technical skills and structure allow us to work effectively with policy and decision-makers and be among the first responders to humanitarian crisis. It allows us to assess and respond quickly to the priorities and needs of communities in the most remote and underserved areas of the country. 

Visit this link for more information on UNICEF in the Philippines https://www.unicef.org/philippines/

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Mindanao Field Office (MFO), and an oversight from the Chief of Advocacy and Communications based in Manila, this post will be responsible to assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating, advocacy and communication plans for UNICEF’S Programme Partnership with the EU And KOICA in BARMM. The post will support in getting children’s and women issues in the public domain, strengthen public and political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives in the country and field office and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

The incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities to realize the deliverables:

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• EU, KOICA, UNICEF partnership communication and visibility plan: The production of advocacy and communication products and materials with the partnership scope are timely executed and followed up supporting the country communication strategy as set out in the respective work plans. Support, within the scope of the European Union and KOICA partnership and other donors, BARMM specific advocacy and communication activities with emphasis on supporting social media plans, content and strategies for engagement and outreach.

• Analysis, monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

Advocacy and communication materials

Ensure that the production of advocacy communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support their strategies and plans as set out in the work plan.

Duties & Tasks:

I. Implement the tasks in the advocacy and communication work plan and strategy as assigned.

• Provide advocacy and communication support to the legislative agenda, such as accompanying the adoption of the Bangsamoro Children’s Code and other child rights legal and policy framework in the Region.

• Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results within the EU, KOICA, other donors, and UNICEF partnerships. Develop complementary, regional specific and local community materials and activities.

• Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages etc.) that meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit, including disability-inclusive communication.

• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.

• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit, including disability-inclusive communication.

• Establish or maintain an up-to-date documentation center for advocacy and communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.

• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources, and processes to support communication activities.

II. Advocacy and communication partnerships, capacity development, and special events

• Help organize for special events and activities that increase public and political will promote programme goals.

• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with the Bangsamoro League of Information Officers, local media outlets as well as groups or organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives, and in capacity development, including engagement with national level media.

• Prepare background advocacy and communication materials for briefings, visits of media, celebrities, influencers, national ambassadors, donors, national committees’ representatives, and other special interest groups. The tasks include preparing press releases, fact sheets, media kits) and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.

III. Analysis, monitoring and evaluation

Regular analysis, monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country advocacy and communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

• Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences and participate in the evaluation of their impact.

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the respective advocacy and communication and visibility plans and use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.) and content assets.

• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Field work experience and background/familiarity with Emergency situations is an asset.
• Experience in working in the BARMM context is an advantage.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an online candidate profile in http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ by 25 March 2024. Only applications sent through the e-recruitment portal will be considered.  

By applying through our Talent Management System (TMS) you agree to our privacy statement which is in line with the Philippines’ Data Privacy Act. You are strongly advised to read carefully through the privacy statement before submitting your application.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Male candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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