Communication Officer, NoB, TA (364 days), #104671, Conakry, Guinea – WCAR

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, voice…

Guinea is a middle level income country with significant child deprivation. With a Human Development Index of 0,477 it ranks 178th out of 189 nations (2019). Since 1984, UNICEF has collaborated with other UN agencies, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, youth organizations, and other partners to support the government in its efforts to support child development. Guinea’s population is estimated to be 13.6 million in 2023 (64% rural and 52% female), with an annual growth rate of 2.9%. People under the age of 18 represent 51.3% of the population. Young people aged between 10 and 18 account for 23%. The potential demographic dividend is overshadowed by the challenges of expanding basic social services, strengthening social protection and improving employability.

The 2024-2028 country program includes interventions across education, protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and social policy programs. In the field, through the zone offices in Labé, Kankan and N’Zérékoré, UNICEF ensures the active implementation of programs across the country including the most remote areas. In its 2024-2028 country programme, UNICEF Guinea will expand the use of advocacy and communication to support policy development and raise awareness of children’s rights. It will also institutionalize child and youth participation to ensure that their voices are heard. External partnerships will facilitate the mobilization of resources to achieve systemic impact through collaboration. UNICEF will contribute to the fight against the disenfranchisement of adolescents and young people, including their right to participation.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief of Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships, the purpose of your position is to assist in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy to raise awareness of children’s and women’s issues, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives in the country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  128149 P2 TA 364 days RR Communication Officer.doc

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education:

  University degree in Communications, Journalism, Multimedia, Public Relations or a related field.

• Work Experience:

  Two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.

  International and national work experience.

  Background/familiarity with Emergency situations.

• Language Requirements:

  Fluency in French is required and English 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  

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 jobs-near-me.org 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates 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.

[CO/ HQ specific: visa residence requirements: i.e.: 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.