Chief of Communication (Advocacy & Partnership), P4, Fixed Term Appointment, based in Kathmandu, Nepal

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, a future

The overarching goal of the UNICEF country programme is supporting the Government to ensure that children and young people, especially the most vulnerable and excluded, are born and grow up in a healthy and protective environment, can develop to their full potential and realize their rights. The country programme is aimed at supporting the government to ensure all children, including adolescents, realize their rights and have opportunities to develop their full potential, free from poverty, in an inclusive, protective society and in a safe and sustainable climate and environment. In this regard, the programme will contribute to children – especially the most disadvantaged – increasingly utilizing inclusive, improved quality health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and child protection services and accessing social protection benefits, protected from disasters and other shocks. Considering the overarching challenges of Pandemic recovery, Sustainable Development Goals’ attainment, LDC graduation and its’ implications on international assistance to the country, and climate change-induced disasters, the country programme will support Nepal in maximizing the remaining ‘demographic window of opportunity’ by developing the human capital of the currently large cohort of children and young people.

Recognizing the importance of strategic partnerships to achieve these results, that have a wide-ranging impact, the post will contribute towards expanding the partnership base, particularly contributing towards increasing outreach to development partners, the private sector including through National Committees, foundations and development institutions. In addition, the post will contribute towards promoting awareness, understanding, support, and respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support for UNICEF’s mission, priorities and programmes in the country office, and at a regional/global level.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision and oversight of the Representative and in collaboration with the Deputy Representative, the Chief of Communication ( Advocacy and Partnerships) is accountable for  managing, coordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring of the  advocacy, communication and partnership strategy and associated products and activities on an ongoing basis with partners and public audiences, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support, and respect for the children’s and women’s rights and support for  UNICEF mission, priorities and programmes in the country office, and at a regional/global level and those of the UN Country Team.  Advice on the articulation of policies and strategies, with an emphasis on those that promote gender equality and equity.

This position is also accountable for deepening collaboration with key stakeholders and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization and policy influence within the scope of assignment.  The Chief will also serve as focal point and resource for Country Office staff on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development.  The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF and influence in support of its mission.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent is accountable for all the following major duties and end results.

1.Advocacy & communication strategy

Ensure that the Country Office has a clear advocacy & communication strategy and associated work plan to support the country programme objectives and get children’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Duties & Tasks

• Develop, maintain, and update the country advocacy and communication strategy and associated work plan. Strategy and work plan include: an environmental and stakeholder assessment; power analysis; objectives; target audiences; messages and media mix; resources; specific actions, activities, and products; monitoring and evaluation of impact; success and opportunity for improvement; ongoing refinement of the strategy.
• Drive the implementation of advocacy and communication strategies and plans, working across teams to ensure all strands of the strategy are progressed and mutually reinforcing, for example: data, policy, media, public mobilization, events, and partnerships. Supervise the development of cogent and compelling advocacy and campaign narratives, and the delivery of creative campaign tactics.

In collaboration with heads of programmes, take the leadership in transforming national strategic documents, statistics and legal frameworks into policy briefs, short advocacy infographics/materials, etc. to promote awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights among decision makers, aiming at maintaining children’s priorities central to national development and resource allocation agenda including by development partners.

• UNICEF’s rights- and results-based programming approach is appropriately reflected in the communication strategy, work plan and products.
• Maintain close collaboration with UNCT Communication Specialists, the Regional Chief of Communication and HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination.

2. Digital strategy

Ensure that the Country Office has a clear digital communication strategy embedded in its advocacy and communication strategy, which raises awareness of children’s rights in the public domain, grow supporter engagement and elevate focus of UNICEF’s advocacy priorities and campaign initiatives, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Duties & tasks

• Develop a comprehensive digital strategy as part of the Office’s advocacy and communication strategy
• Oversee the development and implementation of social media campaign strategies that deliver compelling “digital-first” communications and engage target audiences on UNICEF Nepal’s national advocacy priorities.
• Oversee the strengthening of the reach and engagement of UNICEF Nepal’s social media channels, particularly among identified key target audiences such as youth and decision-makers, including through strong community management practices
• Lead and manage the team responsible for the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution, and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences.

3. Media relations

Ensure that the Country Office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience.

Duties & Tasks

• Promote a better understanding of, respect and support for children’s and women’s rights and issues by carrying out media, information, and education activities in support of UNICEF-assisted development programmes or humanitarian efforts in the country.
• Develop, maintain, and update media relations contact list/database.
• Establish, document, review and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc.
• Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, donors, NGOs, the field and other appropriate audiences.• Identify, develop, distribute, and evaluate variety of media materials in multiple, appropriate formats. Ensure or enhance the quality, appropriateness of country specific communication materials, activities, processes, and messages transmitted to the press, partners and public.
• Take leadership in preparing and drafting the Representative public statements, talking points and speeches and ensure their highest quality and relevance depending on the context and audience.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings

4. Networking and partnerships including private sector engagement:

The Country Office has a clear partnership and resource mobilization strategy and associated work plan to ensure effective and results oriented partnerships with public and private sector entities. This should include a well maintained and continually developed partnerships intelligence platform. Effective working relationships with the UN Country Team and Development Partners are developed, maintained, and enhanced. Country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities. Engagement strategies with the private sector are designed in line with UNICEF’s best practices.

Duties & Tasks

• Oversee the development and implementation of the partnership with public and private sector (Business for Results) engagement strategy of the country office and associated workplan. Maintain general knowledge of UNICEF’s programme work in Nepal and design engagement strategies with the public and private sector that will further UNICEF’s programmatic goals. Maintain a partnerships intelligence platform to continually inform the implementation of the strategies. 
• Strategy and work plan include: an environmental and stakeholder assessment; objectives; target audiences; messages and media mix; resources; specific actions, activities, and products; monitoring and evaluation of impact; success and opportunity for improvement; ongoing refinement of the strategy.
• Conduct a partnership mapping exercise and ensure its regular update. Develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF’s base of knowledge on partnership and resource mobilization.
• Ensure that country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Private sector engagement strategy of the country office.  Maintain general knowledge of UNICEF’s programme work in Nepal and design engagement strategies with the private sector that will further UNICEF’s programmatic goals.
• Acts as a focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management.
• Seeks, promotes, and manage partnerships and resource mobilization portfolio, closely work with relevant UNICEF colleagues to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs.
• Expands UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors to build stronger relationships between UNICEF and governments, other key-decision makers, regional development institutions, foundations, civil society organizations, international financial institutions and/or other relevant constituencies.
• Provides strategic, logistical, and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with assigned partners.
• Receives and screens inquiries from existing and potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate UNICEF staff. Scans and scouts external environment within designated partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant UNICEF staff.
• Establish, document, review and refine process of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing etc.
• Ensure and enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment and through knowledge sharing.
• Monitor, evaluate and share results and findings with partners.

5. Management

Ensure that human resources (the communication team) and financial resources (budget planning, management, and monitoring) are both effectively managed and optimally used.

Duties & Tasks

• Develop a work plan for communication activities, monitor compliance and provide support and guidance to ensure objectives are met.
• Plan and monitor the use of communication budgetary resources. Approve and monitor the overall allocation and disbursement and liquidation of funds. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of funds.
• Identify, recruit, and supervise staff, technical resources, and consultants as necessary. Conduct and implement effective performance planning, monitoring, performance development programme as required.
• Ensure communication effectiveness, efficiency, and delivery as well as a rigorous and transparent approach to planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Effectively mitigate and manage risks related to information sharing and internal or external communication, as well as reputational risks and crisis communication management, which may have a negative impact on UNICEF’s reputation.

6. Monitoring and evaluation

Ensure that communication baselines are established against which the achievement of objectives of the partnerships and communication strategies are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of the partnership and communication strategies, approach and activities; results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

Duties & Tasks

• Provide technical support to ensure that a set of communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated or fed forwarded in the Annual Management Plan, Annual Work Plan, etc.
• Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective.
• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences and share observations/findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UNICEF’s communication work.

7. Capacity Building and Support

Ensure that the Representative and the country programme team are provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of partnerships and external relations communication as required; opportunities are identified and addressed for building communication and partnership capacity among country communication team, media and other relevant partners.

Duties & Tasks

• Advise UNICEF management, colleagues and staff on partnership and media strategies and implications for action and policies proposed.
• Support communication activities through knowledge management, information exchange and building capacity of the country communications team. Enable appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment, and developing training and orientation material.
• Assist  in the development of communication tools and/or strategies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training

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

Education

An Advanced University degree is required in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication, or related fields.

*A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field, in conjunction with four additional relevant professional years of experience in advocacy, partnerships, campaigning or a related field may be taken in lieu of an Advanced University degree

Experience

At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication, and partnerships  is required.

Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.

In-depth knowledge of partnership development and resource mobilization strategy

Excellent communication skills, verbal and written (including ability for strategic writing)

Diplomatic communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnership for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationship with diverse stakeholders.

Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication,  partnerships and resource mobilization strategies with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives, and performance indicators.

Experience in partnership with public and private sector engagement, development of engagement strategy and monitoring of the same.

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 strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences. 

Experience in development, implementation and monitoring of partnerships and resource mobilization strategy.

Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.

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

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

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

Experience in managing a team is a requirement, along with a proven commitment to diverse and inclusive recruiting process. Experience managing a multicultural team is an asset.

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.

Language Requirements:

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 (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

Core Competencies

Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People (2)

• 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)

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. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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). 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.