Communication Specialist

Job Description

Description

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Accountable for developing, managing, co-ordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring an advocacy and communication strategy and associated products and activities on on-going basis with public audiences, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children's and women's rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, priorities and programmes for the ECARO O/P in Italy, in close collaboration with the National Committee for Italy.

Key Accountabilities And Duties & Tasks:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

Communication strategy:

Ensure that the ECARO O/P Italy has a clear communication strategy and associated work plan to support UNICEF's objectives and get children's issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization's credibility and brand.Develop, maintain and update the country advocacy and communication strategy and associated work plan. Strategy and work plan include: an environmental and stakeholder assessment; objectives; target audiences; messages and media mix; resources; specific actions, activities and products; monitoring and evaluation of impact; success and opportunity for improvement; ongoing refinement of the strategy.UNICEF's rights- and results-based programming approach is appropriately reflected in the communication strategy, work plan and products.Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Chief, DGCA and the National Committee for Italy for effective overall coordination.

Media relations:

Ensure that the ECARO O/P Italy has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience.

Promote a better understanding of, respect and support for children's and women's rights and issues by carrying out media, information and education activities in support of UNICEF-assisted programmes in the country.Develop, maintain and update media relations contact list/database.Establish, document, review and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc.Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media, National Committees, NGOs, the field and other appropriate audiences.Identify, develop, distribute and evaluate variety of media materials in multiple, appropriate formats. Ensure or enhance the quality, appropriateness of country specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages transmitted to the press, partners and public.Collaborate with mass 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.Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings.Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Chief, DGCA and the National Committee for Italy for effective overall coordination.

Networking and partnerships:

Ensure that the ECARO O/P Italy has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives of the communication strategy.

Develop, maintain and update partners' contact list/database.Help establish, document, review and refine process of working collaboratively with partners, including meetings, joint projects, information sharing etc.Ensure or enhance the quality, consistency and appropriateness of country-specific communication materials, activities, processes and messages shared with partners.Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment and through knowledge sharing.Monitor, evaluate and share results and findings with partners.Resource mobilization supportEnsure that global and country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities.Mobilize communication capacity to support/facilitate the gathering of content and coverage of relevant country efforts. Use the opportunity to identify/highlight effective programme activities and results in support of fund-raising.Mobilize resources for fund-raising support by regular communication and co-ordination with relevant programme colleagues, as well as communication focal points in regional offices and headquarters divisions.ManagementEnsure that human resources (the communication team) and financial resources (budget planning, management and monitoring) are both effectively managed and optimally used.Develop a work plan for communication activities, monitor compliance and provide support and guidance to ensure objectives are met.Plan and monitor the use of communication budgetary resources. Approve and monitor the overall allocation and disbursement and liquidation of funds. Take appropriate actions to optimize use of funds.Identify, recruit and supervise staff, technical resources and consultants as necessary. Conduct and implement effective performance planning, monitoring, performance development programme as required.Ensure communication effectiveness, efficiency and delivery as well as a rigorous and transparent approach to planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Monitoring and evaluation:

Ensure that communication baselines are established against which the achievement of objectives of the communication strategy are regularly evaluated; analysis is undertaken to continuously improve the effectiveness of communication strategy, approach and activities; results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.Provide technical support to ensure that a set of communication performance indicators is identified and adjusted as necessary, and these communication indicators are incorporated or fed forwarded in the Work Plan.Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective.Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences and share observations/findings with country, regional and HQ communication colleagues so that best practices benefit UNICEF's communication work.

Capacity building and support:

Ensure that the Country coordinator and the country programme team are provided with professional expertise and advice on all aspects of external relations communication as required; opportunities are identified and addressed for building communication capacity among country communication team, media and other relevant partners.Advise UNICEF management, colleagues and staff on media strategy and implications for action and policies proposed.Support communication activities through knowledge management, information exchange and building capacity of the country communications team. Enable appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to information, supplies and equipment, and developing training and orientation material.Identify opportunities to strengthen the capacity of partners through appropriate advocacy and communication training.VisibilityEnsure that collaboration with partners is documented and impact of existing programmes is showcased to foster positive perceptions and trust in the work of UNICEF.Duties & TasksEnsure the full implementation of the communication and visibility plan for existing grants.Ensure that all visibility efforts comply with UNICEF and EU's branding and visibility rules.Develop press releases and media materials to announce the grant, project milestones, and achievements.Create and manage social media profiles to share project updates, engage with the online community, and increase visibility.Organize public events, workshops, seminars, and conferences to engage stakeholders and communicate the impact of UNICEF collaboration with donors, including the EU.Engage with project beneficiaries, partners, and local communities to gather success stories and testimonials.Provide regular reports and updates to the European Commission or other donors, as required by the grant agreement.Train project staff and partners on EU visibility requirements and guidelines to ensure consistent compliance.

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

Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations.A first University combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media.Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.Knowledge of communication, technology, user-centred design, youth engagement strategies and approaches.Fluency in English and Italian is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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