Communication Officer (Partnership), Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, P2, Fixed-Term, NYHQ, 99828

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, education

Organizational office context and purpose for the job

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 advocates who deliver change in many different ways for children in every part of the world.

Organizational context

Advocacy and Communication 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.

This role is based in UNICEF’s Global Partnership Section, in the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (GCA).

Purpose of the job:

Under the leadership of the Partnerships Manager, the Partnerships Officer is to generate creative ideas, and both cultivate and manage key global partnerships in the media, arts, and entertainment space. All tasks should help to elevate UNICEF’s brand globally as a knowledge leader on children’s rights, promote global advocacy priorities, and generate new approaches to communicate and reach new audiences. The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission, including assessments of the partnership’s influence and impact.

This position will contribute substantively to organization-wide strategies, and is an opportunity to acquire professional expertise, organizational knowledge, and exposure for further career advancement.

Working closely with all GCA sections, all divisions in headquarters, UNICEF National Committees, and regional and country offices this Partnerships Officer will provide significant creativity and support across UNICEF’s brand building initiatives to bring more awareness and trust in UNICEF’s reputation as an effective organization working for children.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Identification and cultivation of new partnerships
2. Management of existing partnerships
3. Creation and implementation of special projects and initiatives
4. Engagement, coordination and collaboration
5. Trends and research
6. Capacity building and support

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

 Identification and Cultivation of New Partnerships for Communication and Advocacy

1. • Research the media, arts, sports, gaming and entertainment space for trends and suggest potential partners aligned with UNICEF’s advocacy priorities and objectives.
   • Propose partnership ideas to Partnerships Manager and jointly generate briefs for pitching to external partners in the media, arts, sports, gaming, and entertainment industries.
   • Collaborate with relevant GCA sections, PFP, Office of Innovation, and other divisions to ensure communication, alignment, and shared plans.
   • Develop win-win scenarios with new potential partners and prioritize relationship management.
   • Prioritize partners with new and less traditional audiences in order to raise awareness about UNICEF’s brand and advocacy priorities in new and unique spaces.
2. Management of Existing Strategic Partnerships for Communication and Advocacy

• In collaboration with the Partnerships Manager and the relevant GCA teams and divisions, especially Multimedia, PFP, and OOI, manage existing partnerships to align with UNICEF’s global communications and advocacy goals.
• Research new and innovative approaches to existing partnerships in order to leverage existing support and build positive relations.

3.  Creation and Implementation of Special Projects and Initiatives

• Research, design, and pitch creative approach for UNICEF to engage in global events, initiatives and special projects in the media, arts, sports, gaming, and entertainment space.
• Support the implementation of creative special projects, in collaboration with the Partnerships Manager and the relevant GCA teams and divisions.
• Collaborate with the multimedia and brand teams to integrate non-traditional content production into broader advocacy campaigns.
• Develop and implement metrics for evaluating the success and impact of special projects initiatives, and campaigns.  
• Conduct post-project analyses, gathering feedback, and using insights to refine future strategies and initiatives.

4. Engagement, Coordination and Collaboration

• Engage in existing cross-divisional working groups in sports and tv/film, alongside the Partnerships Manager.
• Collaborate with UNICEF Regional Offices, Country Offices, and National Committees when needed, to share global plans, propose ideas and initiatives, and support the implementation of approved special projects and initiatives.
• Coordinate all stakeholders involved in the implementation of special projects and initiatives, including internal and external partners.
• Coordinate the creative assets, timeline, and all aspects of global projects and initiatives.

5. Trends and Research

• Research trends in the media, arts, sports, gaming, and entertainment space and make recommendations for UNICEF to approach new partners and engage new audiences in support of communication and advocacy goals. 
• Share findings with relevant GCA sections and encourage collaboration with potential partners early in the research and proposal stage.

6. Capacity Building and Support

• Support the Partnerships Manager in providing guidance to Country and Regional Offices on the global strategies in tv, film, sports and gaming.
• Support the development of content, tools, or webinars to share stories, best practices, and lessons learned internally with the relevant divisions, offices, and Natcoms regarding partners, projects, and initiatives in the media, arts, sports, gaming and entertainment space.

Support the Strategic Partnerships team overall when needed, including events, virtual events, GWAs, and more. 

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

• A university degree is required in International or External Relations, Business Development, Communication, Marketing or a related field.

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, programme or partnership management, resource mobilization, external relations, or other relevant area.
• Knowledge and understanding of long-term partnership building and relationship management.
• Creative thinking to both generate and implement ideas in order to leverage existing or build new partnerships for UNICEF within the media, arts, and entertainment space.
• Ability to collaborate and implement projects that cut across multiple DGCA units and UNICEF divisions. 
• Strong communications skills, verbal and written.
• Strong networking and negotiation skills
• Strong familiarity with media, arts, and entertainment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of partnership development, including resource mobilization.
• Ability to conduct sound analysis to assess potential projects and partners, including the development of frameworks to monitor and evaluate for both formative and summative assessments.
• Ability to contribute to communications and advocacy efforts globally, including the formulation of strategies and campaigns for global impact.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (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.

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. 

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.