Temporary Appointment – Communication Officer, P-2, DFAM, New York HQ #127433

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, hope…

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

DFAM’s key role is to safeguard the financial resources entrusted to UNICEF for the survival, development, and protection of the world’s children by maintaining and improving financial and administrative systems and procedures to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and transparent utilization of these resources. The Office of the Comptroller is responsible for the development and communication of the DFAM operational plan, coordination, managing of operations functions in DFAM, conducting analysis, reporting, and monitoring of Divisional performance delivery.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, the Communications Officer is responsible to develop and implement DFAM’s communication strategy. S/he will report on the divisional goals, objectives, results and priorities as well as to support the same for the Global Operations function as needed. The incumbent will network and collaborate closely with the DFAM Senior Management Team, to ensure continuous and relevant communication on identifying key initiatives and preparing the relevant communication format to reach the appropriate users. The incumbent will also be responsible for multiple communications outputs, managing engagement strategies and content on DFAM’s digital channels. The key functions, accountabilities and related duties are:

1. Communication strategy:

• Support in the preparation and communication of the DFAM Communication Strategy.

• Responsible for ensuring that the production of communication materials is executed in a timely manner to support global priorities, divisional performance, and results sharing as set out in the DFAM Office Management Plan (OMP).

• Gather content and coverage of relevant Operations efforts and develop complementary materials and activities for the global operations community as required.

• Support the dissemination of DFAM policies, procedures and communications on key guidance as required.

2. Communication and Publications:

• Ensure effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing and maintaining contact information on DFAM and Global Operations focal points on all relevant communication platforms.

• Administer SharePoint site, pages, permissions, and configurations, while also assisting in updates, patches, and maintenance tasks.

• Assist in drafting and editing the DFAM Newsletter, produce engaging content to increase visibility of key initiatives, including working with DFAM sections and units on the development of relevant content to be used for UNICEF ICON stories.

• Liaise with DFAM sections for the preparation of broadcasts messages

• Support the development of knowledge and communication materials, aimed at highlighting the achievements and stories of the division

3. Additional Responsibilities

• Enhance branding and visibility for events such as Global Operations meetings, including preparation of materials.

• Assist in producing communication videos for DFAM priority areas.

• Advice on communication for new UNICEF-wide or DFAM-specific projects and initiatives.

• Undertake other tasks as assigned by Supervisor. 

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

• A first university degree (Bachelor’s) in Communications, Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations and/or any other related field.
• A minimum of two (2) practical professional work experience in communication, creating graphic designs and/or interactive digital media, with technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
• Hands-on experience in managing UNICEF digital channels is highly desirable.
• Work experience within the United Nations (UN) or an international organization is highly desirable.
• Work experience in a developing country and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Non-US candidates must be in possession of a United States G4 visa or be a United States Permanent Resident/Citizen.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered 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

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

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.