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, the right to an Advocate.

How can you make a difference?

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 aims to be the leading advocate for children, enabled by a cohort of networked, strategic, innovative, and effective advocates who deliver change for children in every part of the world.

Advocacy and Communication are at the center of UNICEF’s mandate. We advocate to decision makers for ‘the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. We communicate to key public and private audiences to build support for the cause of children.

Join UNICEF as an Advocacy and Communication Specialist and help drive meaningful changes for children and young people. We are seeking a strategic and results-oriented professional to lead impactful advocacy and communication initiatives, build influential partnerships and coalitions, manage digital and media campaigns, and transform complex policy issues into compelling narratives that inspire action.

Key Accountabilities

Advocacy strategy development
Advocacy strategy implementation
Communication strategy development and implementation
Digital communications
Media relations
Advocacy and communication M&E
Project and budget management
Advocacy and communication capacity building
Stakeholder engagement

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File GJP_Advocacy and Communication Specialist Level 3 (1) (4).docx

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Masters or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in public policy, political science, international relations, international development, public administration, economics, communication and any other related fields.
Work Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communications is required. Knowledge of children’s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues are required. Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators is required. Experience in and current in digital, social media content and in media relations, audience trends as well as in managing online platforms and channels is required.
Skills: Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways. Strong political awareness, sound judgement and able to manage sensitive issues. Ability to identify advocacy opportunities and translate them into practical influencing strategies. Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex technical issues for different audiences. Strategic thinking, with the ability to connect evidence, partnerships, communications and policy influence to achieve results. Strong facilitation, coalition-building and partnership management skills (internally and with partners). Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.

Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy and communication tactics based on a clear theory of change.
Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
Demonstrated experience in designing and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset.
Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.
Experience in supporting communications in an emergency environment is an asset.
Experience in UNICEF, UN system or an international organization is an asset.

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts is an asset.

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language (Sinhala and/or Tamil) 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

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 manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 | 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 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: 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.

Advocacy Specialist (Communication), NO-3, Fixed Term Position, #137974, Colombo, Sri Lanka, APR, (Open to Sri Lankan nationals only)