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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, a champion

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. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF aims to be the leading advocate for children, enabled by a cohort of networked, strategic, innovative, and effective advocates who deliver change for children in every part of the world.   

How can you make a difference? 

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.

The Advocacy and Communication Officer is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of advocacy and communication strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. The person selected will work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. Duties include:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Advocacy and communication strategy development and planning:
   
   

• Assist in the development of advocacy and communication strategies and plans to achieve SMART outcomes.

2. Advocacy and communication strategy implementation:
   
   

• Support the implementation of advocacy and communication strategies, contributing to a range of tactics, such as: the production of assets, writing advocacy briefs, developing narratives, delivering creative campaign activations, organizing events, and cultivating new strategic partnerships.
  
  

3. Digital communications:
   
   

• Support 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. 
  
  

4. Media relations:

• Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – to communicate the story of UNICEF to a wider audience.
  
  

5. Advocacy and communication M&E:
    

• Support the establishment of baselines against which advocacy and communication results are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; produce and disseminate M&E results on a regular basis.
  
  

6. Project and budget support:

• Support the day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, developing and tracking project plans to ensure progress and address obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Support effective budget management, projections and tracking.
  
  

7. Advocacy and communication capacity building:

• Document and disseminate advocacy good practice to build internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication.
  
  

8. Stakeholder engagement: 

• Research current and potential partners.
• Assist and maintain a database of formal and informal partnerships and networks whose support is essential to achieving objectives.
• Support the flow of information to key stakeholders.
  
  

9. Others:

Undertake other key responsibilities to support the performance and impact of advocacy and communications work, as required.

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• A university degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields.

Work Experience:

• At least two (2) years’ experience in advocacy, communication or campaigning, at a national, regional or global level.
• Experience in supporting the development of clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting and/or managing projects to completion, including developing and implementing clear processes, and budget management.
• Experienced in digital communications and in managing online platforms and channels.
• Experience in supporting the effective functioning of a team.
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. national or international NGO, UN or other multilateral organization is an asset.
• Experience in supporting training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment 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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Works Collaboratively with others

(4) Builds and Maintains Partnerships

(5) Innovates and Embraces Change

(6) Thinks and Acts Strategically

(7) Drive to achieve impactful results

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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, whether you identify as a person of color, a woman, an individual with disabilities, or any other underrepresented groups, we encourage you to apply for our open positions.

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. 

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.