Re-advertisement: Communication Officer (Digital and Youth), Fixed Term, Lilongwe, Malawi #102674

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships team where you will play a key role in developing and implementing strong communication strategies and plans for UNICEF Malawi programmes and advocacy. As Communication Officer (Digital and Youth), you will also be responsible for managing the digital communication output for UNICEF Malawi, in particular all UNICEF Malawi’s social platforms, website and other digital communication platforms such as the U-Report. You will contribute to the development of strategies for UNICEF Malawi’s website and social media platforms and will be at the forefront of developing and implementing the U-Report for the Malawi Country Office – a key tool to engage with adolescents and young people in the country. You will also play a role in building a cohort of youth influencers and advocates.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, an advocate

UNICEF supports the Government of Malawi and works in cooperation with other partners to uphold and respect the rights and well-being of children in Malawi.

Working to the UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028), it is the goal of UNICEF for every child to survive and thrive, to learn, to live in a safe, clean an inclusive, resilient and protective environment and to enjoy an equitable chance in life. The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme also aligns with the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063 and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP 2030).

In addition to Malawi’s 2063 Vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), UNICEF also aligns to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy and the SDGs.

The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.

The position of Communication Officer (Digital and Youth) sits in the Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships Section, reporting to the Chief of Section.  The Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships Section in UNICEF Malawi plays a vital role in telling the story of UNICEF’s impact in Malawi; it provides a platform for children and young people to participate, to engage and to input, and it seeks to ensure that it’s building strategic alliances and partnerships for the overall development of children in Malawi. 

Digital communication and youth participation form a substantive part of the strategic output of the Communication, Advocacy and Partnership Section. It is also an essential component to the overarching goals contained in the UNICEF Communication and Advocacy Strategy as UNICEF seeks to a) nearly double its supporter bases to engage 100 million individuals to volunteer, advocate and engage and b) to create platforms and opportunities for children and young people to drive progress and demand accountability.  It reaches audiences both within and beyond the borders of Malawi.  As such this role provides an important function to communicate and advocate around children’s issues, build social movements, and influence policy makers.

How can you make a difference?

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships team where you will play a key role in developing and implementing strong communication strategies and plans for UNICEF Malawi programmes and advocacy. As Communication Officer (Digital and Youth), you will also be responsible for managing the digital communication output for UNICEF Malawi, in particular all UNICEF Malawi’s social platforms, website and other digital communication platforms such as the U-Report. You will contribute to the development of strategies for UNICEF Malawi’s website and social media platforms and will be at the forefront of developing and implementing the U-Report for the Malawi Country Office – a key tool to engage with adolescents and young people in the country. You will also play a role in building a cohort of youth influencers and advocates.

Working under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief, Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, you will have responsibility to ensure that the digital platforms are in keeping with UNICEF guidelines and reaching the overarching goal of enhancing communication, advocacy and strengthening partnerships for UNICEF in Malawi.

This position therefore offers a unique opportunity for a qualified, motivated and committed individual to make a significant impact on the lives of children in Malawi. By excelling professionally, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:  strategic communication output, including supporting donor visits, creating audiovisual content, and writing articles, and content.  In addition, you will have sharp digital communication acumen, drawing on experience and knowledge of digital and social engagement, experience of managing websites and / or blogsites and communicating on social media platforms.

You are encouraged to download the detailed job description  Malawi__102674_Communication-Officer-Adcocacy-and-Youth_NOB_2018.pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements.

To join our team as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

• A university degree in communications, journalism, social sciences, international relations, literature, languages or a related field is required.

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media at national level is required.
• A minimum of 12 months’ experience in the management and content generation of digital platforms, including social media channels and websites is required.
• Experience in writing stories, articles and reports is required.
• Experience in creating short film, reels etc. is a strong asset
• Experience in leading and implementing own areas of work, including developing project / communication plans or strategies is a strong asset.
• Experience in fostering and strengthening external relationships or partnerships is a strong asset.
• Experience in engaging and coordinating young people and / or children is a strong asset.

Technical knowledge and skills

• Exceptional communication and organizational skills are required.
• Project management skills are required.
• Basic skill in designing graphics for social media is a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of photography and presentation software is a strong asset.
• Solid analytical skills with key performance metrics utilizing analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Webmaster Tools, Bing Webmaster Tools) is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and a local language, both exceptional verbal and written skills, are essential.

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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

The position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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 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 persons living with disability 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. 

Visa residence requirements: For National Officer (NO) positions, internal candidates eligible to legally reside and work in a country, independently of UNICEF appointment, are eligible to apply i.e.: 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.

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.

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.

The vacancy announcement is a re-advertisement and is open to both internal UNICEF staff holding permanent, continuing and fixed term appointments and external candidates.  Previous applicants need not to reapply.

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterised by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.