UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

 

For every child, a voice

In Honduras, UNICEF supports the creation and development of national programs and policies for children.

The promotion and fulfillment of these rights are related to women´s rights, which is why UNICEF also works to promote their equality, free from all types of discrimination.

UNICEF works with the State, civil society organizations, the private sector, churches, and the media, among others, to promote national and international commitments that the principles enunciated in the Convention become a reality.

UNICEF's budget depends entirely on voluntary funds. States provide two-thirds of the resources; foundations, the private sector, other private entities and some six million individual donors provide the rest.

UNICEF was created in 1946 by the United Nations to help the children of Europe who suffered the severe consequences of World War II.

For information of the work of our organization in Honduras, please visit our website: UNICEF Honduras  

How can you make a difference? 

The Communication Specialist is accountable for designing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating advocacy and communication strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. Will work collaboratively with colleagues across teams and with external partners to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children.

 

1. Advocacy strategy development:

• Provide technical support in developing a robust advocacy strategy, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change. Analyze political, economic and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.
• Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.

2. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

3. Communication strategy development and implementation:

• Provide technical assistance in designing and implementing  effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help to mobilize public and private support for the cause of children.

4. Digital communications:

• Coordinate and/or support the day-to-day conceptualization, budgeting, planning, coordination, execution and digital content creation, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of digital initiatives and integrated advocacy campaigns for key audiences.

5. Media relations:

• Help to build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, etc.

6. Advocacy and communication M&E:

• Establish baselines against which results are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of M&E results on a regular basis.

7. Project and budget management:

• Coordinate inclusive project teams featuring a variety of advocacy and communication professionals to deliver strategic advocacy and communication initiatives.
• Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects and workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks.
• Ensure effectiveness and transparent use of budget and resources.

8. Advocacy and communication capacity building:

• Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication, through coaching, training and sharing of expertise.

9. Stakeholder engagement:

• Identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.
• Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.

10. Resource mobilization and leverage

• Build and maintain key partners and donor mapping for UNICEF in Honduras including IFIs and private sector
• Design key advocacy and evidence based communication materials on UNICEF program models and key interventions aimed to mobilize commitments for children from the donor community
• Support the Identification and pursuing of strategic partnerships to leverage resources from DAC and non-DAC donors, IFIs, foundations, and the private sector, aligned with national priorities for children
• Leverage Policy Dialogue Spaces using UNICEF technical credibility and convening power to ensure child rights are prioritized in national and sectoral decision-making platforms.

11. Others:

• Undertake other key responsibilities as required.

 

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

 Minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University degree in Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or other relevant fields.  * A first level university degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Work Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communications is required. Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators. Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, including media, and in working with coalitions. Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Skills: Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish and in English is required

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels is an asset
• Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, Leads and Manages People

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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:

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.

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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.