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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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

Digital communication and social media have become essential tools for reaching diverse audiences and engaging stakeholders across Africa and beyond. These platforms are particularly effective in connecting with youth, raising awareness, and highlighting the urgent need to prioritize children and address the challenges they face. In today’s landscape of increased transparency and authenticity, social media is redefining how people interact and share information.

Strategic digital content and engagement are key to reinforcing UNICEF’s leadership and credibility as a voice for and with children. To drive meaningful change, UNICEF ESARO must enhance its digital capabilities. As part of this effort, the office is seeking a Social Media Consultant with the expertise to produce engaging, creative content tailored to relevant platforms.

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen UNICEF’s digital presence and support its advocacy objectives on critical issues affecting children across the region.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Communication, UNICEF ESARO, the consultant will regularly liaise with colleagues in Country Offices and Headquarters on digital content, style and storytelling. They will also support – and in some cases lead on - the creation and coordination of social media strategies and campaigns, monitoring and analysis, and moderation of platforms.

The consultant may also be called on to provide technical assistance to Country Offices and ESARO staff in producing their own social media content and championing wider digital editorial processes.

The consultant will be required to work with a variety of parties involved in the assignment and will need to develop positive working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and UNICEF staff.

The consultant will:

1. Manage day-to-day activity on the UNICEF ESARO social media channels and support ESAR in the amplification of global and regional advocacy moments and campaigns on UNICEF Africa social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, including a quarterly analytical review.

2. Support and provide a flow of content for the Regional Director’s social media channels.
3. Provide digital capacity training to teams at ESAR as well Country offices, build training decks and documents for ESAR internal comms.

Support communication for regional advocacy priorities

6. Support communication for regional humanitarian emergencies.
7. Support visibility efforts for key donors, guided by partnerships/fundraising teams.
8. Support on broader communications, for example filing of digital content such as photos and video, copy-editing and assistance on presentations.
9. Work on researching and recruiting the next ESAR Regional Ambassador, as well as outreach to influencers in the region to further support the comms and advocacy work of the RO.

Payment Schedule

Payment will be made upon satisfactory quality deliverables as scheduled and described in the previous section.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• University degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or a communication-related field; a university degree in a related field plus an additional two years of required relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least eight years of professional work experience in Communication, or a related field;

• Proven advocacy experience and good knowledge of development issues, especially children’ issues and UNICEF’s work;
• Excellent project management, analytical and writing skills;
• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of parts of Eastern and Southern Africa is a bonus.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Trust
5. Accountability
6. Sustainability

1. Competencies that the consultant should have for the assignment:
   1. Builds and maintain partnerships
   2. Innovates and embraces change
   3. Drive to achieve results for impact
   4. Works collaboratively with other
2. Excellent English language skills

Administrative issues

• The consultant can work remotely but would need to follow the working hours of Nairobi, Kenya.
• Schedule for progress meetings throughout the contract duration will be required
• All travel (in case of any) will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
• The consultant/contractor is expected to work remotely , should there be travel depending on COVID-19 travel restrictions for which the UNICEF office would cover subsistence allowances and travel costs. If the consultant/contractor is required to quarantine while traveling, UNICEF will pay for the quarantine if not organized by the host country.
• 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.

Conditions

• The drafts and final documents, as well related data, will be the property of UNICEF after completion
• Any cost incurred to enable the Consultant to successfully carry out the assignment, such as phone, equipment, and Internet, will be covered entirely by the Consultant.
• Official travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement as per UNICEF policy,
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• 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.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered ‘staff members’ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will 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.
• 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.
• Consultants and individual contractors 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. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.

Risks

Under-utilization of key communication opportunities hampers overall UNICEF communication efforts and reduces programme effectiveness. Such risks to be mitigated with proper supervision and clear terms of reference.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV their technical  and financial proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.