Internal/External Vacancy Announcement – Chief Advocacy and Communications, P5, Kampala, Uganda (FT)

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, an advocate

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 80.2% of the population estimated to be below 35 years in 2023. Despite this population composition, the country’s fertility remains very high, estimated at 5.4 births per woman. Children alone (0-19) comprise of more than half the population, estimated at 55.6% in 2023. This demographic dividend provided a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic investments and policies are made especially in health and education.

The country has continued an impressive economic growth path, with growth rate of 5.2% in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022/23. However, the growth in GDP is not adequately matched with growth in government revenues that remained around 14% of GDP, but projected to slightly increase above 15%, a level necessary to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector, particularly informal production, has shown significant contribution, primarily from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as services.

The primary funding sources for the Uganda Country Programme are the OECD/DAC countries along with the European Commission, with public sector donors constituting 40% of the contributions among the top 20 donors. Sweden emerges as the largest donor to the Uganda Country Office. Diversifying donors necessitates assessing opportunities across various public sector streams and engaging with non-traditional donors. Uganda’s graduation from the Least Developed Country category offers potential for attracting private sector investments and accessing financial markets.

Navigating the funding landscape for the Uganda Country Programme necessitates strategic diversification, proactive engagement with donors, and leveraging emerging opportunities. UNICEF’s continued advocacy and partnerships are pivotal for ensuring sustained support and impactful outcomes for children in Uganda. In addition, leveraging partnerships with the private sector offers immense potential for advancing child rights and youth development in Uganda.

UNICEF Uganda is embarking on the development of its new Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2026-2030.

To learn more about the exciting work we are doing for children in Uganda, please visit this link

How can you make a difference? 

The Chief of Advocacy and Communications is accountable for leading the advocacy and communication strategy and resource mobilization and partnership strategy of the Country Office, under the supervision of the Representative. This includes:

• the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of integrated advocacy and communication strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people
• the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of integrated resource mobilization and partnership strategies (including public and private) to raise and leverage funding for UNICEF and children, and to influence key stakeholder to invest in and protect children. The effective deployment of public channels and private relationships to mobilize public and private resources for children, including through UNICEF.
• using traditional and digital media and key partnerships to build awareness of and support for child rights and UNICEF’s mission, priorities and programmes at the national, regional and global level
• working with children and young people to empower them as agents of change
• responding to major communication risks and challenges.

As a member of the Management Team, the Chief Advocacy and Communications will work alongside colleagues to oversee the overall performance of the office, create a positive workplace environment, and ensure the wellbeing of staff.  

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Advocacy and communication, strategy development and implementation
2. Resource mobilization and Partnerships (public and private sector) strategy development and implementation
3. Digital strategy development and implementation
4. Media relations
5. Advocacy, communication, resource mobilization and partnerships M&E
6. Team building, project and budget management
7. Advocacy, communication, resource mobilization and partnerships capacity building
8. Stakeholder outreach, engagement and influence

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD – Chief Advocacy and Communications P5 IMIS 83647.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An Advanced University degree is required in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields.
• Work Experience:
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning, communication and resource mobilization and partnerships is required, with at least two years at the international level.
• Skills:
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication as well as resource mobilization and partnership strategies and plans, with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives, and performance indicators.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
• Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication as well as resource mobilization and partnerships tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of external stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
• Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences.
• Experience in building strong relationships with public and private sector partners to raise funds and leverage resources and influence.
• Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.
• Experienced and current in digital and social media content and audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels.
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics as well as the development of donor proposals and reports.
• Experience in managing a team is a requirement, along with a proven commitment to diverse and inclusive recruiting process. Experience managing a multicultural team with matrix management set up is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.
• Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manaages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 from the geographic regions of East Asia & Pacific (EAP), Europe & Central Asia (ECA), Middle Eastern & Noth Africa (MENA), Western & Central Africa (WCA), and South Asia (SA) 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.