Communication Officer – NOB, Fixed Term Position, Lilongwe, Malawi, (Open to Malawi nationals only)
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the position
The Communication Officer position will support 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 country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.
Key Expected Results
- Communication strategy: The production of communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities, and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan. This includes advocacy priorities on keeping children in school and preventing child marriage.
- 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 country, to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
- Celebrities, partners and special events: The Country Office’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.
- Youth media: A youth media programme is established to empower young people to report on the issues that affect them in their communities.
- Digital communication: The Country Office’s digital communication channels are well maintained, including the website and social media channels.
Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks
- Communication materials
Ensure that the production of communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.
Duties & Tasks • Implement the tasks in the country communication work plan and strategy as assigned. • Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results. Develop complementary, country specific and local community materials and activities. • Produce advocacy and communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, images, video. Web pages etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.• Follow up on the production of advocacy and communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials.• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.
- 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 country, to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience. Duties & Tasks • Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.• Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
- Monitoring and evaluation
Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Ensure results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.
Duties & Tasks• Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences, and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences as directed by supervisor.
- Celebrities, partners and special events
Ensure that the Country Office’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), are 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.
Duties & Tasks• Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals.• Assist in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives.• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, Goodwill Ambassadors, donors, National Committee representatives and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.
- Youth media
Establish and oversee a youth media programme to empower young people to report on the issues that affect them in their communities.
Duties & Tasks• Working with the education section and an implementing partner, set up and launch a pilot youth media programme in the Mangochi district, including girls receiving UNICEF scholarships• Manage the relationship with the implementing partner and oversee their work to ensure young people receive the training they need to tell their stories, and that local radio stations are engaged to provide airtime for the content they produce.• Monitor the effectiveness of the programme and provide regular feedback to the implementing partner for improvement.
- Digital communications
Oversee the office’s digital communication channels, including website, social media and e-newsletter.
Duties & Tasks• Ensure that the UNICEF Malawi website is up-to-date by working with programme sections to gather information and uploading new material, including human interest stories and press releases.• Manage the UNICEF Malawi social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Medium. Ensure all channels are up to date with the latest content, and respond to comments from fans and followers.• Launch and maintain an e-newsletter to share stories of UNICEF’s work in Malawi every month.• Manage the day-to-day work of a digital UNV and freelance consultants to assist with the tasks above.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education: University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.
Experience:
- At least two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media. Field work experience.
- Background/familiarity with emergency situations, especially droughts and/or floods.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Chichewa is required. Another UN language would be an advantage.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values
- Commitment
- Diversity and inclusion
- Integrity
Core competencies
- Communication
- Working with People
- Drive for Result
Functional Competencies
- Relating and networking
- Applying technical expertise
- Planning and organizing
- Formulating strategies and concepts
- Persuading & Influencing
- Learning & Researching
To view our competency framework, please click here.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
More Information
- Job City Lilongwe
