Communication Assistant (GS-5), Fixed Term Appointment, Lima-Perú, #42220

Versión en español: http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/es/job/589344?lApplicationSubSourceID=

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF has been present in Peru for 75 years. It promotes the fulfillment of the rights of children and adolescents by providing technical assistance to the Peruvian State, as well as by fostering commitment to children’s rights among the private sector, civil society, and the media.
The Advocacy and Communication Section plays a crucial role in promoting children’s rights, advancing advocacy actions in support of the child rights agenda, positioning UNICEF, and strengthening strategic partnerships with the media, civil society, and the private sector in order to expand impact and resource mobilization.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Communication Officer, the Assistant supports the operational implementation of the media and content strategy. The primary role of the position is to strengthen technical engagement with traditional media, new digital media, and the digital platforms of traditional media at all levels (local, regional, national, and international).
In this regard, the Assistant is responsible for producing journalistic content that is appealing to different types of media, while ensuring that dissemination and advocacy actions are grounded in a rights-based, intercultural, and global approach, and that they contribute significantly to strengthening UNICEF’s advocacy, visibility, and positioning.

The impact of the Communications Assistant role directly contributes to strengthening the organization’s visibility, supporting the management of external communications, and enhancing institutional positioning. This, in turn, improves the reach and effectiveness of advocacy for children’s rights and resource mobilization efforts.
Through these contributions, the role supports UNICEF’s overall impact in the promotion and protection of children’s rights, as well as in the mobilization and effective use of resources.

1. Media Relations Support
•Support day-to-day media relations by serving as an operational contact point for journalists, editors, and correspondents from local, regional, national, and international media, under the guidance of the Communication Officer.
•Maintain and regularly update media contact lists and databases, including local reporters, opinion leaders, and international correspondents.
•Support daily media monitoring and flag relevant news, trends, and potential reputational risks for the country’s office.

2. Content Drafting and Dissemination Support
•Draft and edit press releases, briefing notes, and human-interest stories for local and international audiences, translating technical information into clear and accessible content, in line with UNICEF communication and advocacy priorities.
•Ensure that all content adheres to UNICEF branding, style guidelines, and communication standards, applying a child rights–based approach.
•Disseminate content in a timely and accurate manner through appropriate communication channels.
•Assist, when required, in the preparation of basic multimedia content (photos, short videos) to complement written materials.

3. Support to Spokesperson Preparation and Advocacy Activities
•Under the supervision of the Communications Officer, prepare draft talking points and Q&A documents for institutional spokespeople and adolescent participants, adapting the content to different media formats.
•Support the preparation of adolescents for media engagements, ensuring compliance with safeguarding requirements, informed consent procedures, and respect for cultural identity.
•Assist in the logistical organization of media training sessions for spokespersons and adolescent participants, in coordination with the Communication Officer.

4. Emergency Communication Support
•Support the Communication Officer in coordinating information flows during emergencies across relevant sections of the UNICEF Peru Country Office.
•Assist in the collection, organization, and dissemination of information before, during, and after emergencies, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to a child rights–based approach.

5. Support to Visibility and Advocacy Campaigns
•Assist in the implementation of communication and advocacy activities and campaigns.
•Support the development and adaptation of communication materials for advocacy purposes.

6. Content and Materials Management
•Support the organization, documentation, and archiving of communication materials, including photos, videos, and press releases.
•Assist in the production, formatting, and basic editing of communication materials for print and digital platforms.

7. Media Monitoring and Reporting
•Monitor local traditional and digital media on a daily basis and report relevant information related to UNICEF’s mandate.
•Review media clippings provided by the monitoring agency and disseminate them internally according to established schedules.

8. Administrative and Logistical Support
•Assist in the preparation of terms of reference and administrative documentation for services or consultancies related to communication activities, under supervision.
•Support the logistical organization of press conferences, media briefings, and media field visits, ensuring efficient, safe, and culturally appropriate arrangements.

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

Minimum requirements and desirables:

Education: Completion of secondary education is required. University-level coursework in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related fields is an asset.

*A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution and related to Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related fields is considered an asset. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in writing and media relations, including engagement with national and regional media, as well as international correspondents, is required.
Experience working with international organizations is considered an asset.

*A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution and related to Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related fields is considered an asset. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Skills: 

•Demonstrated knowledge of a Child Rights–Based Approach and strong intercultural sensitivity.
•Experience in co-creating content with adolescents and supporting the preparation of children and adolescents to act as spokespersons is an asset.
•Experience in communication units of international organizations is considered an asset.

Language Requirements: 

•  Fluency in Spanish is required.
•  Intermediate knowledge of English is required, particularly for liaison with international media.
• Knowledge of a local language of the duty station (as quechua, aimara, and indigenous or amazonic dialects) is considered 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates with disabilities,  local native candidates and generational and gender diverse groups are encouraged to apply.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: 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.

Versión en español: http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/es/job/589344?lApplicationSubSourceID=