Communication Officer - UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, invites applications for the following vacancy:

Position: Communication Officer
Location: Guwahati 
Post Level: NO-B

Purpose of the Post

The incumbent will be responsible for building partnerships, advocating and influencing policy, planning, implementation, and monitoring of programmes to promote children’s rights.

The job holder works at the State and District levels. He/she also works under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office and takes sector specific guidance from the Chief of Advocacy and Partnerships Section in New Delhi.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

(1) Conceptualizes, develops and maintains partnerships at State and District levels on Child/Youth Participation.  Works with civil society organizations and academic / media institutions to promote the engagement of children/ youth in development issues through participative activities, media trainings, newsletters, etc;
(2) Assists in nurturing and maintaining close partnerships with state media (print, broadcast and electronic), as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential for achieving advocacy and communication objectives of the state programme;
(3) Tracks developments/reporting in the media requiring corrective action and brings these to the attention of the Chief, Field Office and the A&P Section, as appropriate.  Monitors public perception of UNICEF in the State and recommends appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization;
(4) Supports sector programme colleagues on shaping the State policy-advocacy agenda and strategy focusing on the National Flagship programmes as well as key legislations.  Co-ordinates with key stakeholders, including Legislators, State Commissions, etc) on activities to promote the policy-advocacy agenda around key issues;
(5) Monitors and evaluated the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to the target stakeholders and provides feedback to the CFO & A&P Section on the use and appropriateness of corporate publications and advocacy materials;
(6) Co-ordinates “flagship & advocacy related” events and activities that will place UNICEF and children’s issues in the public arena. Assists in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both electronic/web and print media, as appropriate;
(7) Prepares background communication and advocacy materials for briefings and visits of media, celebrities, goodwill ambassadors, donors, national committee representatives and other special interest groups to the State, and co-ordinates the administrative aspects of such visits;
(8) To promote UNICEF’s advocacy efforts and in support of sectoral programmes, co-ordinates the production of advocacy and communication materials (print documents, media packages and audio-visual, etc), oversees the qualitative aspects of production (quality control, translation, review of layouts and graphic design, etc);
(9) Establishes/maintains an up-to-date documentation centre for publications, press releases and clippings, as well as photographic and audio-visual materials;
(10) Contributes to the development of a state-specific advocacy and communications strategy by coordinating appropriate research and compiling and analyzing relevant data.

Qualifications, Skills and Attributes

(A) Education
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

(B) Work Experience 
Minimum two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

(C) Languages 
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station will be an asset.

(D) Competency Profile:

Competency Profile :

i) Core Values (Required)

• Commitment

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Integrity

ii) Core Competencies (Required)
•  Communication  [ II ]

•  Working with People  [ I ]

•  Drive for Results  [ I ]

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

•  Formulating Strategies and Concepts  [ I ]

•  Relating and Networking   [ I ]  
•  Persuading and Influencing    [ I ]

•  Applying Technical Expertise   [ I ]                      
•  Learning and Researching   [ II ]

•  Planning and Organizing  [ II ] 

Technical Knowledge

a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job) 
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)

Specific and up-to-date working knowledge of:

·         Executive Board and other policy documents. 

·         Executive Directives,

·         Thorough knowledge of Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP)

·         UN/UNICEF Policy Papers

·         UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.

·         Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF

·         General administrative and financial guidelines.

·         Human resources manual

·         UNICEF communication and other DOC guidelines

·         Communication toolkit

·         Brand Toolkit and Brand Book

·         UNICEF Stylebook

·         Ethical Guidelines on Reporting on Children

b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

General knowledge of:

·         Communication practice, methodology and practical application. Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.

·         Fundamentals of working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.

·         Computer systems, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.

·         United Nations or other international organizations; good understanding of world affairs, current events and international development issues

·         Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and current UNCEF position and approaches.

·         UNICEF communication goals, visions, positions, policies, guidelines and strategies.

·         UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues, including emergencies.

·         UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies and approaches, including emergency preparedness.

 c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)

·         Knowledge and expertise in management, communication strategy and networking.

·         Technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.

·         UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.

·         UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions

·         UN security operations and guidelines.

OTHER SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES (Indicate what key competencies are required, such as computer knowledge, management, communication, negotiating, or training skills, etc.)

·         Knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research, and the role of media.

·         Ability to research, analyse, evaluate and synthesize information.

·         General ability to draft and develop clear and concise ideas and concepts in written and oral form; specific skills in writing press releases and articles/stories for traditional and electronic media.

·         Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with media representatives, government officials and other UNICEF partners.

·         Proven ability to work as part of a team.

·         Knowledge of computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications, specifically interactive digital media.

·         Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

Applications consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent to co-unicef@sams.co.in by March 23, 2014. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the title and location of the post in the subject line of your e-mail/application. For more details of the posts and full job descriptions, visit the SAMS website atwww.sams.co.in. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organizations qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.