The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The Division of Global Communications and Advocacy (DGCA) is accountable for influencing critical change for children through global communications and advocacy, delivering on UNICEF’s normative mandate as a voice for child rights, and leveraging the power of communications and advocacy to contribute to specific impact results of the UNICEF Strategic Plan.

The Division also oversees, on behalf of the organization, the effective governance and management of global communication and advocacy initiatives including global advocacy partnerships and influencers, messaging and content, and platforms and channels. It has a lead role in external communications at the global level and provides strategic leadership for global advocacy with UNICEF’s Global Programme Division, and global humanitarian advocacy and diplomacy with UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programmes. The Division provides overall governance and management of global communication platforms including the corporate unicef.org website and global social media channels, global media outreach, and global content management. The Division also provides stewardship for publications of global influence around which DGCA designs and implements global communication and advocacy plans in line with the above framing.

In conjunction with UNICEF’s Regional Offices and other HQ Divisions, DGCA provides capacity building support to offices worldwide, technical assistance, knowledge leadership and relevant policies and guidance on communications and advocacy, including the implementation of the organization’s Global Communications and Advocacy Strategy (GCAS), risk and crisis communications management, and humanitarian advocacy.

Purpose of the job

Under the supervision of the Director of the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA) the incumbent will provide strategic guidance, quality assurance and ensure overall management of DGCA to establish UNICEF as the leading advocate and brand for children and their rights across the world.

In particular, the incumbent will guide and manage teams within the Advocacy pillar in DGCA to ensure the timely identification, implementation and monitoring of advocacy and communication strategies to support the achievement of organizational priorities. S/he will establish a systematic approach to identify issues of strategic importance and advocacy opportunities and partnerships for UNICEF, ensuring effective co-ordination of DGCA in support of global priorities, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan (2026-2029), its Advocacy and Communication Change Strategy and the Global Communications and Advocacy Strategy. Emphasizing team building, s/he will promote the alignment of functions and capacities for an agile, effective and efficient global advocacy and communications team. The incumbent will also maintain working relations with key stakeholders in the organization - including HQ divisions, Regional and Country Offices and National Committees - to leverage and maximize the impact of organizational assets to promote children’s issues on the global agenda.

The incumbent will have specific management responsibility for global child rights advocacy, including humanitarian advocacy and stewardship of global advocacy partnerships with major institutions and the organization’s global Goodwill Ambassador programme; child and youth engagement strategies in support of global advocacy; global brand building and governance; internal communications and staff engagement; and the Division’s strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation functions.

The incumbent will support oversight of the Divisional budget, personnel/staffing and daily administrative operations in collaboration with the Director and the Division’s Section Chiefs. She/he will represent the Director within, and outside, UNICEF and the United Nations system as required.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

Assist the Director in leading and coordinating the overall work of the Division in line with the Division’s Office Management Plan and the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy.
Provide strategic direction and leadership for the sections in the advocacy pillar of DGCA (Global Advocacy, Humanitarian Advocacy, Strategic Partnerships and Brand, Child and Youth Engagement, Strategic Planning and Internal Communications and Staff Engagement);
Play an active leadership role in DGCA’s engagement in the roll-out of the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, including overseeing the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Divisional work plan and the Global Communication and Advocacy Strategy.
Create and maintain collaboration and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, including, among others, UNICEF HQ Divisions, Regional Offices, Country Offices and National Committees. In particular, ensure close collaboration within the UNICEF Partnership Cone (PFP and PPD,) Office of Emergency Programmes, Global Programme Division and the Office of Strategy and Evidence in all key strategic areas of relevance to DGCA.
Provide senior support to and within Secretariat and Task Force structures created to oversee implementation of global advocacy and communication initiatives and priorities as required.
Assist the Director in fulfilling and enhancing internal reporting mechanisms and operational monitoring and evaluation.
As assigned by the Director, assume lead role in planning, organizing, and implementing specific activities (particularly in the areas of office management, change management and staff-wellbeing) and in cross-organizational initiatives.
Deputize for the Director during his/her absence from the office and assist in all divisional management activities, including staff matters. Represent the Division as necessary at meetings, conferences, etc.

Qualification & Experience

An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: international relations, diplomacy, social sciences or communications; or a University degree with two years of additional qualifying experience.
Thirteen years of relevant work experience in an international development or human rights context, with a proven record of results in advocacy and/or campaigning work.
Experience in partnership building and policy dialogue.
Proven skill sets and experience in managing a continuum of advocacy and communications, including evidence-building; development of argument, narrative and messaging; identification of appropriate influencers, messengers and advocates; development of advocacy implementation strategies; and monitoring of results of advocacy.
Extensive management experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly in the development and implementation of corporate advocacy and campaigning priorities for a global organization with HQ, regional and country locations.
Proven experience in strategic planning, change management, and team leadership at a senior level in a large organization.
Extensive experience managing teams of senior technical professionals, including in high pressure environments.
Proven coordination, organizational and interpersonal skills that motivate and mobilize staff and stakeholders across different organizational units to collectively drive for results.
Strong abilities to communicate and persuade both in internal and external environments on strategic organizational priorities.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

Core Values

Commitment
Respect
Integrity
Trust
Accountability
Sustainability

Competencies

Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Nurtures, leads and manages people

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Deputy Director: Division of Global Communications and Advocacy (DGCA), D-1, Rome, Italy