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, A Future

The Czech Republic hosts the highest number of refugees from Ukraine per capita in the European Union (EU). Since the onset of the refugee crisis, the Czech Republic welcomed over half a million Ukrainian refugees. Based on the re-registration over 380,000 refugees remain in the country, out of which 26 per cent are children and 43 per cent women. The registration data show that on average 7,000 new Ukrainian refugees enter Czech Republic every month, including around 30 – 50 minors entering the country unaccompanied or separated.

UNICEF partners with the Government and other stakeholders to address the needs of refugee children and families in a comprehensive manner, while also supporting the needs of vulnerable groups from the host population and fostering social cohesion. At the national level, UNICEF established workplans with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of the Interior. Through a wide range of partnerships with the Civil Society Organisations, UNICEF also supports the expansion of outreach and provision of basic services to the most vulnerable refugee children and their families.

To amplify our impact, UNICEF seeks to enhance communication strategies and advocacy efforts, ensuring more effective support for beneficiaries and partners. This position aims to strengthen the communication and advocacy efforts of the UNICEF Refugee Response Office by organizing key events, producing multimedia content, and supporting a range of communication initiatives.

The selected candidate will assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives in the Refugee Response Office (RRO), and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand. The operation of the Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic is planned until the end of 2025, therefore the position will focus on communicating the results achieved with the government and the sustainability measures put in place. In addition, the Communication Officer will support communication activities of EU DG Reform-supported cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on early childhood development and care and child protection and family services legislation.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Communication strategy: The production of communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support RRO communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities, and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.

2. Media relations: Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – in the RRO, to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

3. Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of RRO communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

4. Partners and special events: The RRO’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), is maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Communication Officer ,(NO-B), Temporary Appointment,.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field. 
• Work Experience: At least [2] years of relevant work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

• Field work experience (for NO)

• Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.

• Proven experience working in politically sensitive environments, particularly in upper-middle-income countries

• Strong understanding of the political, social, and economic dynamics within the EU and/or Czech Republic

• Language Requirements: Fluency in both Czech and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset

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 

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.

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 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.