ECARO Roster of Consultant Experts in Communication, Media and Advocacy Strategy – Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

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 champion

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND

UNICEF works with and for disadvantaged children and adolescents across 22 countries and territories in Europe and Central Asia where we have country programmes. We also have programmes to respond to the needs of refugee and migrant women and children in the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Slovakia, as well as engagement with institutions across many more countries to uphold the rights of children.

UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), Country Offices and Programmes in the region regularly requires the services of communication, advocacy and media professionals to produce well-informed, impactful strategies that elevate UNICEF’s visibility, impact, and engagement on critical issues affecting children.

To meet these ongoing needs, UNICEF is updating its roster of specialists in communication, media and advocacy strategy and invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster.

The roster will serve as a human resources repository from which ECARO, Country Offices and Programmes in Europe and Central Asia can quickly draw pre-vetted, qualified specialists for assignments.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DUTIES

UNICEF ECARO invites qualified candidates to express their interest to be included in the roster of specialists in communication, media and advocacy strategy. With expertise in media relations, storytelling, and strategic communication, the selected candidates will play a crucial role in advancing UNICEF’s mission and goals in Europe and Central Asia.

The selected specialists will work closely with UNICEF ECARO’s Communication Team, as well as UNICEF Communication Officers in Country Offices, Programmes and National Committees in the region to ensure that the services provided are in line with UNICEF’s branding standards and guidelines, and child safeguarding principles.

The selected specialists may be required to travel to countries in the region to gather content, for which they are expected to make their own arrangements for travel and lodging. Official travel will be specified in the TOR for each assignment, as requested by ECARO and/or COs.

The selected specialists are required to use their own computer equipment and software.

The main service areas in future work assignment ToRs are as follows:

Communication

• Provide strategic guidance and support in the development, implementation and monitoring of strategic communication plans aligned with UNICEF’s objectives and priorities.
• Collaborate closely with programme specialists, subject matter experts, and leadership to identify key messages and communication opportunities.
• Collaborate with regional communication teams to ensure consistent messaging and strategy implementation across different geographies.
• Craft compelling narratives, messages, and content that resonate with diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, partners, and the general public.
• Plan, create, and oversee the production of engaging content for various platforms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, videos, and social media.

Advocacy

• Provide strategic guidance and support in the development, implementation and monitoring of advocacy strategies to influence policies, laws, and practices that impact children.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including program teams, researchers, and regional offices, to gather insights and evidence for effective advocacy campaigns.
• Identify key advocacy targets, including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, and develop tailored strategies for engagement.
• Create compelling advocacy messages, policy briefs, position papers, and other materials to effectively communicate UNICEF’s advocacy goals and demands.
• Establish and nurture relationships with influencers, partners, and decision-makers to amplify UNICEF’s advocacy efforts.
• Monitor global policy developments, trends, and opportunities to inform UNICEF’s advocacy priorities and strategies.
• Provide guidance and support to UNICEF country offices and regional teams in designing and implementing effective advocacy initiatives.

Media

• Provide strategic guidance in the development and implementation of media campaigns that drive positive coverage, awareness, and engagement around children’s rights and well-being.
• Draft content for various platforms, including articles, press releases, opinion pieces, social and website content.
• Craft compelling media narratives and pitches that effectively communicate UNICEF’s impact and mission.
• Monitor media trends, global events, and public sentiment to identify opportunities and risks for UNICEF’s media engagement.

SKILLS REQUIRED

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

Requirements applicable to all experts

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, international relations, social sciences or a related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in developing and executing successful advocacy, media and communication strategies, preferably within the international development or non-profit sector.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear and persuasive messages, assessed through a written assignment and interview.
• Strong understanding of global development issues, particularly those related to children’s rights, health, education, and protection.
• Experience in engaging with governments, international organizations, and civil society entities in advocacy efforts.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple advocacy and communication initiatives.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate, programs, and global operations is advantageous.
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Russian is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

1. Duly complete the online UNICEF application
2. Duly complete & attach P-11 History From (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/careers/documents/p11-form)
3. Curriculum vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
4. Comprehensive portfolio with at least three (3) samples of recent strategies devised and implemented.
5. Financial proposal with daily rate in USD (applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered)
6. Evaluation of work by UN if applicable (e.g. PER).
7. Names and contacts of three (3) referees (applications without referees will not be considered).

Please apply to the Regional Roster by the indicated online deadline of 31 January 2024.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. Once pre-qualified, consultants will be eligible for direct recruitment by UNICEF offices in the region for a three-year period. In the selection of its staff and consultants, UNICEF is committed to gender balance, inclusion and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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. 

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. 

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.