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, Hope
Background and Strategic Context
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.
Advocacy and Communication are at the centre of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate 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 job profile is to be used in the Communication Section.
How can you make a difference?
Reporting to the Chief of Advocacy and Communication, the Communication Officer (Digital) is accountable for developing, managing, implementing and monitoring a digital engagement communication strategy with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, priorities and programmes in Sudan.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Digital strategy
- Social media strategy and content
- Multimedia content collection
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Online donor visibility
- Capacity building
Digital strategy
•Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the UNICEF Office in Sudan digital communication strategy across social media and web, content and partnerships to meet organizational goals.
•Ensure that the office has an effective process in place for integrating and taking action on UNICEF’s global communications priorities and campaigns on digital channels, both disseminating these elements in a locally appropriate way, as well as providing/enabling coverage of the work in the country for global use.
Social media strategy and content
•As the social media content creation lead create, source, commission and manage content that is accurate, timely, relevant and on-brand for online public advocacy and engagement with target audiences.
•Identify protagonist for human interest stories relevant to programme priorities, carry out interviews with beneficiaries and partners, draft content for distribution in digital media.
•Finalize and implement a social media strategy which reaches and engages target audiences.
•Work closely with the Communication section and programme colleagues on country and field level in Sudan, UNICEF Regional Office and HQ on the regular distribution of priority content and messages on Sudan.
•Work in close coordination with photographers, videographers, writers and producers to capture relevant, powerful images and videos for stories, photo essays and video content and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design, among other tasks).
•Ensure relevant external content adheres to UNICEF principles and guidelines.
Multimedia content collection
•Collect powerful communication materials from the field by working closely with photographers and videographers to document the situation on the ground, its impact on children and UNICEF response to support the children. This can include collecting quotes and drafting stories, directing freelancers during site visits, recording voices notes, capturing piece-to-camera and other footage with a mobile phone, among other tasks. Inputs to be used for UNICEF products as well as media pitching and engagement.
•Support the photographers and videographers in filing photos with captions and footage with shot lists to bolster content on UNICEF platforms and support media pitching. Help package raw content for social media use.
•Support the update, maintenance and monitoring of the UNICEF Sudan website for reliability, consistency, quality and up-to-date information to increase traffic and effectiveness. Help in drafting compelling content to be used on the site.
Organize and coordinate field visits with country office and field office colleagues to support high-level donor/partner/internal missions and collect communication content during them.
Monitoring and evaluation
•Ensure regular monitoring and reporting of activities to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of the team’s digital communication efforts.
•Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis. This includes on content shared by UNICEF Sudan, and other relevant UNICEF social media channels.
•Provide technical support to ensure that a set of digital communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated in the Communication section’s planning.
Compiled audience research and information on applicable digital trends which can inform the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the digital communication strategy.
Online donor visibility
•Work closely with colleagues in the Communication section to ensure appropriate and strategic online visibility for relevant public and major private donors.
•Where needed, ensure that global and regional donor relations activities are supported by effective digital communications locally.
Capacity building
•Educate and support staff in digital best practice.
•When necessary, carry out digital training for key staff.
•Identify opportunities to strengthen the digital skills of key partners.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
JD Digital Communication Officer Level 2 - Classified Apr 2025.pdf
CHILD SAFEGUARDING
Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with: physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations.
Certain UNICEF positions present elevated child safeguarding risks (“elevated risk roles”) and candidates and/or incumbents may be subject to more rigorous vetting and training. Roles may be elevated risk roles because of significant unsupervised direct contact with children, their data, having a role in responding to safeguarding incidents, or being otherwise assessed as presenting an elevated risk. This position has been identified as not being an elevated risk role.
Note: To appropriately categorize this position, please refer to the Guidance on Identifying & Assessing Elevated Risk Roles for this job profile and remove non-applicable description in the highlighted area above.
The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Digital Communication Officer:
- Robust, integrated advocacy and communication strategies are developed implemented, monitored and evaluated, with SMART advocacy and communication outcomes and/or outputs.
- Measurable change for children and young people through the achievement of defined advocacy and communication outcomes and/or outputs at the global, regional and/or national level.
- Public and private support for the cause of children and UNICEF continues to increase, with new strategic partnerships forged and a measurable increase in resources for children.
A clear digital communication strategy with an associated work plan is implemented to raise awareness of children’s rights in the public domain, grow supporter engagement and elevate focus of UNICEF’s advocacy priorities and campaign
initiatives, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.
Achieving these goals will significantly contribute to the fulfilment of children’s rights in Sudan and positioning UNICEF as a leading voice for the children in the country.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education: A first level university degree in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations, arts or another related field. An advanced university degree in one of these fields is an asset.
Experience: 2 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in digital communications, including web, social media and content strategy.
Experience in the use of website content management systems.
Experience in social media platform management.
Experience writing, editing, and crafting compelling shorter form social media and longer form website content.
Experience of digital analysis and reporting.
Experience in social media listening tools, audience segmentation, audience insights gathering is an asset
Field work experience and any background/familiarity with emergency situations is required.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
Core Values
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
- Sustainability
Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities)
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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:
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, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).
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 advanced 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 the assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.