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, an advocate

Since 1950, UNICEF has supported the most important transformation for children and adolescents in Brazil. UNICEF Brazil with its main office in Brasília and nine field offices UNICEF works in close partnership with national and sub-national governments, corporate partners, youth, and civil society organizations.

For information on the work of our organization in Brazil, please visit our website: UNICEF Brazil.

How can you make a difference?

The Communication Specialist will be based in the Rio de Janeiro office, reporting to the national Chief of Advocacy and Communications and working in close coordination with the Chief of Field Office in Rio de Janeiro. The Specialist will work in close coordination and alignment with the national Communications and the Rio de Janeiro teams in developing, managing, coordinating, networking, implementing, and monitoring advocacy and communication strategies and associated products and activities on ongoing basis for targeted audiences, to raise awareness, support, engagement and action for children’s and women’s rights, with a particular focus on violence prevention and response.

Key functions/accountabilities:

1. Develop, implement and monitor advocacy, communication and SBC strategies around key priority themes for the Rio de Janeiro office, in close alignment with national priorities and the Rio de Janeiro Strategic Framework.
2. Establish strong relationships with local media to effectively communicate UNICEF’s story and its impactful collaborations.
3. Build, strengthen, and expand networks and partnerships that advance UNICEF’s advocacy objectives, including with the UN Country Team, as well as influencers and UNICEF National Ambassadors.
4. Support national and global resource mobilization efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
5. Lead communication and advocacy efforts of targeted national initiatives, such as #AgendaCidade,
6. Establish communication baselines, regularly evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and activities, and analyze to enhance outcomes. Prepare and share comprehensive reports to track progress and results.
7. Provide expert advice and guidance to the Chief of Advocacy and Communications and the Chief of Field Office in Rio de Janeiro on external communication strategies and activities, while supporting capacity building to strengthen their impact.

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

• Education – Advanced university degree (master’s) in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.
• Experience – Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media, including strategy development and implementation.
• Experience in working with communication for human rights in a development context at a local level.
• Experience  in developing strategic communication materials, event organization, seamless project management and reports to donors.
• Excellent skills in writing communication materials, planning and teamwork.

      Desirable:

• Experience and knowledge of Rio de Janeiro scene, including social political context, government stakeholders and media outlets is an asset.
• Language - Fluency in Portuguese and English. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, 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...

• 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)

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Remarks:

•  Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from diverse populations (afro-descendants, indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and other minorities) are especially encouraged to apply. We are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity within UNICEF Brazil.
• 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 appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
• 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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• This job opportunity is presential and for Brazilians only or candidates who have the legal right to work in Brazil.