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About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines fordeveloping countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Consultancy: Producer of Internal facing Podcast “Step Up for Child Rights”

Duty Station: internal Communication and Staff Engagement, DGCA   

Duration: 10 Dec 2025 – 10 Dec 2027

Home/ Office Based: Remote

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

UNICEF’s Global Internal Communication and Staff Engagement (ICSE) team is seeking a highly skilled and creative podcast producer/editor to lead the development of an internal-facing podcast series titled “Step Up for Child Rights.” Designed for UNICEF’s all staff audience, the podcast will foster engagement and dialogue around key organizational priorities including child rights, scale and impact, climate action, strategic partnerships, innovative financing, and UNICEF’s evolving business model.

This initiative aligns with the direction of the Future Focus Initiative (FFI), UNICEF’s organizational response to unprecedented geopolitical and economic shifts. As the international development and humanitarian landscape evolves, UNICEF is adapting its ways of working to become more agile, responsive, and future-ready. The podcast will reflect this transformation, highlighting themes such as digital innovation, programme optimization, and adaptive leadership.

While the global funding crisis presents challenges, UNICEF remains focused on delivering for every child—especially the most vulnerable. The podcast will contribute to internal efforts to strengthen cohesion, amplify UNICEF’s mission, and support staff through change.

Each episode will feature thought-provoking conversations on advocacy, organizational performance, and innovative approaches to addressing challenges faced by children worldwide. The podcast will serve as a platform for internal knowledge sharing, staff empowerment, and strategic alignment—reinforcing UNICEF’s commitment to deliver results for children in a rapidly changing global context.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in audio and video production, scriptwriting, and storytelling, with a proven ability to create engaging and impactful content. They will collaborate closely with the ICSE team and other stakeholders to ensure the podcast aligns with UNICEF’s strategic direction and internal communication goals.

Scope of Work:

Working under the overall guidance of ICSE Communication Manager and supervision of the ICSE Communication Specialist, the consultant will be required to:

• Produce high-quality podcast episodes that align with the thematic focus and objectives of the podcast series.
• Maintain consistency in tone, style, and branding throughout the series to enhance the listener experience.
• Ensure the timely delivery of episodes according to the agreed-upon production schedule.

The podcast producer’s services will include pre-production, production, post-production (breakdown below). In total, 10 podcasts in video format need to be produced, appr. 30-40 minutes each.

 

Pre-production:

• Work closely with the ICSE team to develop episode structure, outlines and/or scripts that resonate with the target audience and support the series objectives. Themes and guests will be identified by the ICSE team.
• Provide guidance to guest speakers on technical aspects as needed.

Production:

• Oversee recording sessions, ensuring high-quality audio production and adherence to established timelines and guidelines. 

Post-production:

• Edit recorded content, including audio cleanup, mixing, and mastering, to produce polished podcast episodes.
• Propose cuts and edits as needed to avoid redundancy and ensure coherence in the final episodes.
• Address any feedback or revisions as needed to ensure the highest standard of quality. 
• Incorporate music and other creative elements as appropriate. 
• Review episodes for accuracy, clarity, and consistency and submit final versions to the ICSE team

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1.  Develop a podcast episode structure & outline following review of the previous podcast series

-  Completed and agreed upon episode structure & outline 

20 December 2025

2.  Record and edit Episode 1 

- Completed Episode 1

20 Jan 2026

3.  Record and edit Episode 2 

-  Completed Episode 2

11 March 2026

4.  Record and edit Episode 3 

-  Completed Episode 3 

10 June 2026

5.  Record and edit Episode 4 

- Completed Episode 4

09 Sept 2026

6.  Record and edit Episode 5 

- Completed Episode 5

09 November 2026

7.  Record and edit Episode 6 

- Completed Episode 6

13 Jan 2027

8.  Record and edit Episode 7

-  Completed Episode 7

10 March 2027

9.  Record and edit Episode 8 

-  Completed Episode 8

09 Jun 2027

10.  Record and edit Episode 9

-  Completed Episode 9

08 Sept 2027

11.  Record and edit Episode 10 

-  Completed Episode 10 

08 Dec 2027

Qualifications

Education: 

Degree in relevant field, and relevant technical training (e.g. communication, film/music production, broadcast/audio journalism, videography)

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in podcast production, including scriptwriting, recording, editing, and post-production. 
• Strong storytelling skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner.  
• Proficiency in video/audio editing software and equipment, with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality. 
• Comfortable operating remote audio and technical equipment. 
• Familiarity with children's rights issues and related topics, as well as the ability to conduct thorough research and identify relevant sources. 
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and meet tight deadlines.  
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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 selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates 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 assignment. It does not apply to consultants 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 consultancy contracts.