Advocacy and Communication Specialist, NO-C, Fixed Term, Brasilia, Brazil #90402

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, an advocate

Since 1950, UNICEF has supported the most important transformation for children and adolescents in Brazil. UNICEF Brazil with its main office in Brasília and nine field offices UNICEF works in close partnership with national and sub-national governments, corporate partners, youth, and civil society organizations. For information on the work of our organization in Brazil, please visit our website: UNICEF Brazil.

How can you make a difference?

A Challenging And Exciting Opportunity Has Arisen Within Brazil UNICEF For a Passionate And Committed Advocacy And Communication Specialist, Based In Brasilia. Under The Supervision Of The Chief Advocacy And Communication, You Are Accountable For Coordinating, Developing, Managing a Team Of Professionals, Networking, Implementing, Evaluating, And Monitoring An Advocacy And Communication Strategy And Associated Products And Activities On An Ongoing Basis With Public Audiences, To Promote Awareness, Understanding, Support, And Respect For Children’s And Women’s Rights, And Support For UNICEF's Mission, Priorities And Programmes In Brazil Country Office, And At a Global Level And Those Of The UN Country Team. You Will Accomplish This By

Ensure Advocacy strategy development by providing technical support in developing a robust advocacy strategy, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change. Analyze political, economic, and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges. Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.

Coordinate Advocacy strategy implementation and plans, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

Communication strategy development and implementation though 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.

Media relations by helping to build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc.

Advocacy and communication M&E establishing 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.

Coordinate Project and budget management, inclusive project teams featuring a variety of advocacy and communication professionals to deliver strategic advocacy and communication initiatives. Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects and workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks. Ensure effectiveness and transparent use of budget and resources.

Advocacy and communication capacity building contributing to the development of UNICEF’s internal capacities in advocacy and communication, through coaching, training and sharing of expertise.

Robust stakeholder engagement by identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners. Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have:

Education : Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work.

Experience

• Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning, media, and communications is required.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable, and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
• Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
• Experience in media relations.
• Strong communicator with an emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Demonstrated experience in the 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.
  
  

Language - Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Desirables

• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.
• Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
  
  

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• 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) and Manages ambiguity and complexity (2); Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1).
  
  

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is a safeguarding response role in Child data role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable (afro-descendants, indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and other minorities)are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.