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 good communication

The goal of the Communications and Advocacy Section is to put DRC’s children at the heart of national, regional and global agendas by being the leading voice, brand, advocate and partner for the rights of every child. We work closely with the donor relations unit and programme sections to deliver key results for children.

The purpose of the assignment is to support the Communications and Advocacy section by providing dedicated advocacy expertise to advance the implementation of the Country Office’s humanitarian advocacy strategy, programme-related advocacy strategy and environment strategy, and support the development of the advocacy component of the Communications and Advocacy Strategy for 2025-2026.

As such, the team is looking for an experienced and multi-faceted communications and advocacy professional who can support and contribute to a small but industrious team. This role will encompass advising on the development of communication and advocacy strategies and implementation plans, supporting multiple high-level events, media engagement, donor visibility, content creation, and empowering young people to make their voices heard.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will support UNICEF for 4 months on:

1. Support UNICEF DRC to implement its humanitarian advocacy strategy.

2. Support UNICEF DRC to advance its youth environment advocacy strategy.  

3. Support UNICEF DRC to prepare for its flagship Environment Forum in Q1 2025.  

4. Support UNICEF DRC to conceptualize a multi-annual, cross-sectoral child protection communications and advocacy campaign.

5. Support UNICEF DRC to develop a communications and advocacy plan for the first two years of the next country programme.

If you would like to find out more about this position, please see the full job description here:

-  TORs Advocacy Specialist, 4 mois, Kinshasa - RDCongo.pdf

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

• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media or a related field
• Proven experience in managing communication in emergency situations
• Strong understanding of various media platforms and experience in content production
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with an ability to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Experience working with UNICEF or other UN agencies is highly desirable
• Fluency in French and English is required

Competencies

• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multicultural environment

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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. 

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:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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 not 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 and Individual Contractors. 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. 

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. 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.