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 a Voice

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Chief, Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, the Advocacy and Communication Officer will help design and deliver integrated advocacy and communication strategies that advance measurable results for children in Malawi. The role will translate UNICEF priorities into compelling briefs, narratives, campaigns, digital content and high-profile events that influence decision makers, mobilize public support and strengthening visibility for children’s rights.

The Officer will produce engaging products, including reels, films, infographics, carousels and photo-led stories, while tracking performance and refining approaches to improve reach and impact. The role will also strengthen relationships with print, TV, radio and digital media to ensure UNICEF’s story shared accurately and on time. Beyond delivery, the Officer will support baselines, monitoring, project coordination and budget management, combining creativity, strategic judgement and attention to detail to make advocacy work harder children. Summary of Key Functions/Accountabilities includes: Support advocacy and communication strategy development, planning, and implementation; Digital communications; Media relations; Advocacy and communication M&E; Project and budget support; Advocacy and communication capacity building; and stakeholder engagement.

Join UNICEF Malawi and be part of a mission that delivers lasting impact for every child. UNICEF Malawi advances children's rights through advocacy and communication. As Advocacy and Communication Officer, you will help turn programme priorities into public support and action.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD Advocacy and Communication Officer Level 2.docx

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

Minimum requirements

Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Communications, Public relations, Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, or another related field.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of experience in strategic communication or campaigning at a national or a regional global level is required, including at least 1 year of experience in developing and implementing advocacy plans or campaigns at a national, regional or global level. Demonstrated experience in managing digital communications and online platforms, and in engaging with media houses, and / or working in a national or international media outlet. Demonstrated experience in supporting and/or managing projects to completion, including developing and implementing clear processes, and budget management. Knowledge of children's rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues. Experience in supporting the effective functioning of a team.
Skills: Strong writing skills - advocacy briefs, narratives, press releases, talking points, speeches; Skills in both media relations and social media strategy planning and digital content creation; Ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible messaging for varied audiences; Strong interpersonal skills to work across teams and with external partners; Adaptability- comfortable balancing big-picture strategy with hands-on execution; Time management, particularly under tight deadlines or during crises.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Chichewa and other local languages (e.g. Chiyao, Chitumbuka),
Proficiency in video editing and graphic design software (e.g. Adobe Premiere, CapCut, Canva),
Experience working in a humanitarian or emergency response context, crisis communication,
Prior experience within the UN system or with international NGOs,
Familiarity with social media analytics and paid digital advertising (e.g. Meta Ads Manager, Google Analytics),
Experience in supporting training and facilitation is an asset particularly media and communication training,
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

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 | 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 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.

Batch of 2 positions: Advocacy and Communications Officer, NO-2, Fixed Term Position, #00137658, #00137609, Lilongwe, Malawi (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)