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.
For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Chief of Communication, P-4, Pretoria, out-posted Johannesburg, South Africa
Vacancy No: E-VN-2014-001569
Duty Station: Johannesburg
Country: South Africa
Region: ESARO
Job Level: P-4
Position#: 00021585
Application Close: 18-Aug-14
Contract Type: Long-term Staff (FT)
Purpose of the Position
The post will be based in the major communication/media hub and conference centre of South Africa. The incumbent will be responsible for providing essential communication and public advocacy capacity. Under the supervision of the ESARO Regional Chief of Communication, the incumbent will be responsible for positioning UNICEF and issues of importance and relevance to children in the international, regional and local media that is based in Johannesburg; together with direct outreach to the general public through digital and social media. The incumbent will also be required to provide direct multimedia support to COs in ESAR/WCAR, thereby providing them – together with DOC and PFP – with compelling materials to support communication and advocacy objectives. Lastly, the incumbent will provide appropriate media and communication support for global and regional conferences and events taking place in Johannesburg.
Key Expected Results
1. Design and implement a communication and public advocacy strategy for ASU that makes a compelling case for putting the most marginalized children – based on evidence – at the heart of the social and political agenda; in line with regional priorities and UNICEF’s global communication strategy.
Work with the Johannesburg-based media and civil society to promote UNICEF work in ESAR and WCAR COs, children’s issues and UNICEF’S priorities in sub-saharan Africa.
Work with the multimedia corps to place compelling stories emanating from research and visits, and organise country visits, for social/digital media, TV, web, photo and newspaper coverage.
Promote interview opportunities with UNICEF officials and experts travelling through Johannesburg.
2. Provide communication expertise and support for conferences and briefings, working in collaboration with country offices and UN partners as needed.
Shape media/advocacy strategies and support appropriate logistics for global and regional conferences and events taking place in Johannesburg, so as to position UNICEF as a visible and dynamic leader in the region, in coordination with regional and country offices, HQ and PFP.
Support visibility, multimedia outreach and understanding, and advocacy for major global initiatives and campaigns, such as APR, VAC and SUN.
3. Keep abreast of issues of importance to children in Africa and research story and media opportunities with ROS, and country office counterparts in ESAR and WCAR. Identify and report on UNICEF projects and issues of importance to children, travelling to countries as needed.
Based on visits to COs, produce and advocate compelling news and digital-media driven stories about matters affecting children, highlighting challenges and UNICEF responses and needs; using digital, print and social media.
Offer immediate media support and outreach with Johannesburg press corp on emergencies (natural and manmade disasters) and chronic emergencies
4. Prepare a critical source of public information, facts and figures, multi media products, infographics and tools highlighting the issues of relevance to children, actions taken by UNICEF and the impact and results achieved, for media in Johannesburg. These will include general and specific backgrounders and briefs, statistical briefs, video clips, press releases and feature stories for both press and general public.
Network and disseminate so that these packages are picked up and used by social media, print and broadcasters, including: Reuters, SABC Africa, Al Jazeera, ZDF, ARD, TV5, CNN and BBC; as well as national broadcasters and radio stations such as Mozambican television, Congolese TV, SAfm and Radio 702, Senegalese TV; posted on UNICEF’s global website, distributed through the News Market) / UN feed on APTN, National Committees, GRO.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations; or equivalent professional work experience in the communication area, combined with a university degree in a related field.
Eight years of relevant work experience with the news media, including at least four years at the international levels.
Extensive experience and professional standards in writing and editing in English.
Fluency in English and another UN language.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking
Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget
Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment
Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching
Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential
Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders
Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches
Anticipates and actively monitors long term local and global developments, constantly seeking new opportunities for advancing UNICEF’s mission
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 organisation.
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