Communication Specialist, (P3), Beijing, China #127584 [Temporary Appointment for 364 days]

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, Communication

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.

UNICEF aims to be the leading advocate for children, enabled by a cohort of networked, strategic, innovative, and effective communicators who deliver change for children in every part of the world, including in China. 

Communication and advocacy 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.

How can you make a difference?

The P3 Communication Specialist is accountable for coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating communication strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people in China. The role will lead on digital comms and multimedia within the Communication and Advocacy Section. We are looking for someone with experience of digital communication and international social media in particular. Experience of multimedia production would be an advantage.

This position is for one year initially, with the likelihood of extension, depending on successful performance and the needs of the country office.

key functions/accountabilities:

1. Communication strategy development and implementation
2. Digital communications
3. Multimedia content production
4. Communication M&E
5. Project and budget management
6. Communication capacity building
7. Stakeholder engagement
8. Others

This staff member will drive the development 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. Communication strategy development and implementation:
   1. Provide technical assistance in designing and delivering 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.
2. Leadership support:
   1. Oversee the digital and multimedia functions within the Communication and Advocacy team on a day-to-day basis, including assisting the Chief of Communication to develop annual workplans and guiding staff in the sub-team on a day-to-day basis to ensure timely and high-quality delivery. Act as occasional OIC for the Chief of Communication, alongside the NOC.
3. Digital communications:
   1. Coordinate and/or support the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution of digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences, including collaboration with the Partnerships and Innovation section in digital content planning and development.
4. Multimedia:
   1. Coordinate and/or support the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution of multimedia content creation, especially video, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the use of such content on multiple platforms.
5. English language social media:
   1. Directly manage and create content for English-language social media, currently X/Twitter, to ensure that stories about UNICEF China’s work, and China-funded work overseas, reach an international audience.
6. South-South Cooperation
   1. Ensure that China-funded UNICEF projects for children in other countries and exchange visits to or from China are well documented and communicated internationally.
7. Global priorities and campaigns:
   1. Ensure the office has an effective process in place for integrating and taking action on UNICEF’s global communications priorities, campaigns and partnerships, disseminating these elements in a locally appropriate way.
8. Communication M&E:
   1. Establish baselines against which results are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of M&E results on a regular basis.
9. Project and budget management:
   1. Coordinate project teams featuring a variety of communication professionals to deliver strategic communication and advocacy initiatives.
   2. Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects and workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks.
   3. Ensure effectiveness and transparent use of budget and resources.
10. Communication capacity building:
    1. Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in communication, through coaching, training and sharing of expertise.
11. Stakeholder engagement:
    1. Identify, build and maintain formal and informal communication partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.
    2. Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.
12. Others:
    1. Undertake other key responsibilities as required.

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

• An Advanced University degree in Communication, Media Studies, International Relations, International Development or other relevant fields.  

  * A first level university degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication or campaigning is required.

• Experience in leading the implementation of communication strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.

• Proven experience in deploying a range of communication tactics based on a clear theory of change.

• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.

• Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels.

• Experience in multimedia content production, especially video briefing and editing.

• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.

• Demonstrated experience in 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 training and facilitation is an asset.

• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language, especially Chinese, would be 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…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 candidates with disability 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.