Chief of Advocacy and Communication at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief of Advocacy and Communication

Job No.: 549629
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Level: P-5
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Categories: Communication, Partnerships

Description
How Can You Make a Difference?

The P5 Chief of Advocacy and Communication is accountable for leading the advocacy and communication strategies of the Country Office, under the supervision of the Representative. This includes:

• Advocacy strategy development: Lead every element of the advocacy strategy process
• Advocacy strategy implementation: Drive the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans.
• Communication strategy development and implementation: Design effective communication plans that will deliver on the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize public and private support for the cause of children.
• Digital strategy: Lead and manage the Office’s advocacy and communication team that effectively executes a comprehensive digital strategy.
• Media relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets to ensure we can build public awareness of and support for UNICEF and the cause of children.
• Advocacy and Communication M&E: Supervise the development of a clear advocacy and communication M&E framework.
• Team building, Project and Budget Management: Provide a protective, nurturing environment for the team
• Mobilize resources for undertaking advocacy and communication: Ensure effective and transparent management of budget and resources.
• Align with Global priorities and campaigns - In addition to local/national campaigns, ensure that the Country Office has an effective process in place for integrating and taking action on UNICEF’s global communications priorities and campaigns, both disseminating these elements in a locally-appropriate way, as well as providing/enabling coverage of the work in the country for global use.
• Resource mobilization support - Ensure that global and country-level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities.
• Celebrities and special events- Ensure that the Country Office has a well-managed national celebrity relations programme with a well maintained and continually developed contact list of appropriate, nationally-known personalities who have been identified, engaged, and support UNICEF’s efforts and who actively participate in special events and activities that support country program goals. Among these high-profile individuals, ensure a handful is identified whose recognition level extends beyond national borders and co-ordinate closely with DOC and the regional office in extending their impact and use beyond national borders.

Management:

• Ensure that the human resources (the communication team) and financial resources (budget planning, management, and monitoring) for the communication section of the Country Office are both effectively managed and optimally used.
• Build internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication, through coaching, training, and sharing of expertise.
• As a member of the CMT, work alongside senior colleagues to ensure the performance of the Country Office, manage risk, and set overarching strategic direction.
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, the staff member will work alongside colleagues to oversee the overall performance of the office, create a positive workplace environment, and ensure the wellbeing of staff. 

Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• An advanced University Degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or other related fields of disciplines.
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required, with at least two years at the international level.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies, with clear theories of change, specific, measurable, and time-bound 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 external stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
• Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences. 
• 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.
• Strong communicator with an 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 a 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 international development, humanitarian issues, and children’s rights.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset. 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and 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)

Application Closing Date
8th April, 2022 (West Central Africa Standard Time).