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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to support

In Lao PDR, UNICEF works in partnership with the Government of Lao PDR and partners to promote and protect the rights of children and women in Lao PDR. With over 50 years of service, we are one of the longest-serving international organisations in the country.

Visit unicef.org/Laos to learn more about what we do at UNICEF in Lao PDR.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for  Professional filmmakers on Long Term Arrangement (LTA). The duration of this assignment is 3 years, starting as soon as possible.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The consultant under LTA arrangement will support all programme areas. Specific contract managers will provide supervision for specific services contracted under the provisions of this LTA. Technical supervision will be provided by the Communications team. 

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

• Create videos, with length varying from 30 seconds to ten minutes, based on advocacy priorities and planned delivery (i..e web videos, reels, event videos, human interest etc.)
• Propose visual structure and capture change narratives through protagonist(s) stories.
• Attend pre-production briefings, research, and planning meetings.
• Conduct field filming in various locations, including interviews with stakeholders.
• Write and obtain approval for English and Lao scripts.
• Shoot broadcast quality footage.
• Adhere to UNICEF branding guidelines.
• Regularly update project coordinator on progress and challenges.
• Provide professional English or other language voice overs.
• Advise on and procure rights to music as needed.
• Collect relevant sound effects.
• Review existing films or materials on the topic.
• Edit the film into an engaging, high-quality product, including graphics and subtitles as needed.
• Present the film to UNICEF and incorporate feedback.
• Submit final products in English and/or Lao.
• Coordinate with UNICEF Programme Officers on film requirements.
• May involve travel to remote areas and work during weekends.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  LTA ToR_Filmmaker for VA.pdf

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

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Sciences, Commerce, or a technical diploma in filmmaking, videography, editing, or script writing.

Experience: 

Five years of experience in producing high-quality films demonstrating creativity, storytelling, script writing,

and shooting techniques that align with international standards.

Skills:

• Strong background in ideation, conceptualization, script writing, and knowledge of latest film editing
• software.
• Proven experience in creating films for the social development sector.
• Proficiency with the latest technology in filmmaking and multimedia production.
• Knowledge of additional national languages is a plus.
• Experience in creating films about, with, and for children, including interviewing and filming them.

Proficiency in designing for digital platforms.

• Strong practical background in graphic design, including expertise in software such as Adobe Design

Premium-package and web design.

• Experience in delivering high-profile filmmaking projects both nationally and internationally and

contributing to national and international media outlets.

• Experience in covering media/press events and shooting B-roll footage is beneficial.
• Ability to produce high-quality written content for different platforms and in various styles.
• Ability to conceptualize full-content packages for various platforms, effectively telling a story and creating a design concept that links the content.
• Prior experience in the development sector is advantageous. Must have industry knowledge, including an in-depth understanding of Lao and regional market trends (social media, digital, culturally appropriate trends), and familiarity with UNICEF's model and fundraising/lead generation techniques.
• Ability to partner with UNICEF to work towards common goals, enhancing brand value and trust through creative solutions.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

1. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online)
3. Portfolio with at least three work samples (to be uploaded online)

iv. A financial proposal indicating professional fee as per the above template. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving. (To be uploaded under other supporting documents).  Financial Proposal Template.doc 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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:  

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.