Website UNICEF
Description of assignment title: Communication Officer – Website and Editorial
Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 02/10/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 10. Reduced inequalities
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Expert
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.
UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.
We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Context
UNICEF is the leading organization promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child in South Asia and around the world. Working in partnership with host countries, UNICEF country offices, partners and donors, the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) continues to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all vulnerable populations, especially children and adolescents. Communicating the situation of children and women in South Asia and highlighting the efforts of UNICEF and partners in the region is part of UNICEF’s mandate. One way UNICEF ROSA does this is through its website. The ROSA website also serves as a trusted information portal on parenting, youth advocacy and child rights and wellbeing. The website also serves as a knowledge hub consolidating UNICEF’s work in the region in the form of publications, events, media releases, human interest stories and others. As part of its robust communication efforts, ROSA regularly produces informative content and publications (including but not limited to: policy briefs, working papers, advocacy briefs, human interest stories, blogs, web pages, key messages, social media posts, etc.) and organizes regional events and campaigns to advance its advocacy priorities, foster accountability, and mobilize resources.
Compelling written materials are an integral part of UNICEF’s brand as well as its advocacy efforts, and as such, ROSA is committed in ensuring that its publications and other written materials are professionally crafted following the organization’s global communication guidelines and clearly understood, and that they resonate with their intended audience. The written materials are shared widely through ROSA’s social media channels and external website, and with regional and international media. Likewise, events and campaigns are cornerstone to engaging national governments, policy makers, youth, media and others in a meaningful manner and ensure tangible solutions to the issues faced by children and youth in the region. ROSA requires full-time professional support to write and edit various communication products and publications in the English language. The selected candidate will also support ROSA Communication Section to manage the ROSA website, including developing new content and pages, community management and marketing. The selected candidate will also support with review of regional ROSA publications. ROSA will provide necessary training and mentoring to the selected candidate as needed. The selected candidate will report to the Communication Specialist within the ROSA Communication and Advocacy section.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Communication or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Junior Communication Officer will:
Writing, editing and quality control (65%)
- Research UNICEF ROSA’s advocacy and communication priorities, and successes to develop a publication plan to regularly create high-quality written communication products and publications
- Lead the drafting of original advocacy and communication products (reports, web articles, blogs, policy briefs, key messages, human interest stories) as required.
- Liaise with relevant colleagues at ROSA and with UNICEF HQ and Country Offices as required, to verify information, conduct interviews, fact-check stories and data and obtain clearances for their respective content.
- Edit and proofread UNICEF ROSA reports, publications and advocacy briefs for concision, compelling language, and house style Edit and proofread digital content including web articles, blogs, and similar content for concision, compelling language, and house style.
Website Management (25%)
- Serve as primary focal point for overall ROSA website management, updates and its upkeep using the website CMS system. (Note: the selected candidate will receive training on using UNICEF’s DRUPAL system to manage websites)
- Support sections within ROSA to keep the program pages updates and to create new webpages.
- Support to upload new blogs, stories, media releases and publications to the ROSA website.
- Ensure quality control regarding the content and appearance of the ROSA website.
- Regularly monitor UNICEF country office websites to update the ROSA website tracker with new stories, press releases and publications.
- Prepare monthly summaries on website performance using Google analytics.
- Lead website marketing using Google Ads and social media and regularly monitor performance.
Event and campaign support (5%)
- Support the ROSA Communication section to conceptualize high-impact regional campaigns and events.
- Support the ROSA Communication section with event planning and rollout, including drafting and reviewing written content and publications, coordinating with UNICEF and external stakeholders, and other miscellaneous event management support as needed.
- Support the ROSA Communication as needed to design and roll-out regional campaigns.
Knowledge Management (5%)
- Upload working and cleared documents on the internal ROSA SharePoint site.
- Support with cataloging, arranging and updating the internal SharePoint site for the ROSA Communication and Advocacy section.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
- As an active member of the communication section, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to ROSA and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
– A wide array of high-quality and compelling advocacy and communication products, including reports, articles, blogs, press releases, and policy briefs are available
– Editing and proofreading support is provided in a timely and professional manner to ROSA program sections.
– Support to the successful rollout of the ROSA UNICEF 75 campaign and other high-impact regional campaigns and events targeting key stakeholders in South Asia
– Support is provided to keep the ROSA external website updated
– Provide additional communication and advocacy support to ROSA Communication section as needed. - Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
Eligibility criteria
Age: 35 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
- 5 years of experience in writing and editing skills in the English language, with demonstrated ability for logical and analytical writing as well as ‘de-jargoning’ technical language for a wider audience
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Creative Writing, Communication, or relevant discipline
- Minimum 5 years’ experience and background in communications or journalism, specifically in writing and editing in the English language
- Previous knowledge with website management, google analytics and marketing (Google Ads and social media) is preferred.
- Experience in event and/or campaign management and support is an asset
- Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently within deadlines and under pressure
- Well organized and structured, good attention for detail
- Strong drive for results, taking pride in delivering as per expectation in terms of quality and timeliness
- Ability to synthesize complex documents into key messages and clear summary documents is desirable
- Experience in drafting communication and advocacy reports and other documents from research or studies is preferred
- Experience in conducting interviews for collecting information/case studies is desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of UNICEF, the child rights agenda and the UN system is desirable
- Experience working with UNICEF or other development organizations is a plus
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging and multicultural environment
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), familiarity with database management and office technology equipment;
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
- Sound security awareness;
Area(s) of expertise
Communication
Driving license
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Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Journalism, Creative Writing, Communication, or relevant discipline.
Competencies and values
Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF’s procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
o Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixedgender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to
culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF South Asia’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The position is one to Nepali nationals only. The duty station is Kathmandu, Nepal. The selected candidate is expected to work from the office unless otherwise agreed upon with the supervisor for remote working as per UNICEF’s flexi-work modalities. Nepal is a unique and diverse country and ROSA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
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