Communication Associate, G-6, FT, #114112, Gaza, State of Palestine - MENA

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

UNICEF in the State of Palestine (SoP) works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

In the past years, UNICEF in the State of Palestine has achieved a high reach and engagement through its communication channels. UNICEF-SoP would like to build on this and continue engaging with our audience, who are not only seek information but are willing to have important conversations on crucial issues concerning children’s wellbeing and rights.

How can you make a difference?

Under the close supervision of the Communication Specialist, Gaza and the technical guidance of the Chief of Communication in East Jerusalem, you will perform a variety of information gathering, monitoring, technical and administrative services, in support of Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships activities, contributing to the smooth running of the Section. You will work in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, external partners and agency counterparts in Gaza in support of programme design and delivery. You will provide regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

1.Support to communication, planning and execution

• Collects information, conducts interviews of beneficiaries and partners to contribute to the drafting of human-interest stories, photo essays, related duties/tasks: videos, social media posts and other relevant communication products.
• Helps organize and generate public support for special events and activities; assists in the preparation of communication materials for briefing and visits of media, goodwill ambassadors, donors, National Committee representatives and other special interest groups. Assists in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
• Assists in updating content on UNICEF social media platforms (local website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) in English and Arabic.
• Assists in developing and maintaining close collaboration with mass media, as well as with groups and organizations whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy, partnerships and communications objectives.

2. Support to Communication Service delivery

• Liaises with contractors (photographers, video crews, writers, translators, designers and printing companies, etc.). Assists in the preparation, production and editing of communication, advocacy and partnerships assets produced by contractors / LTAs, and oversees the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout, graphic design and printing) done by them.
• Assists in the review of communication, advocacy, visibility products to ensure quality control and adherence to UNICEF standards.
• Assists in the monitoring of the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy, partnerships and communications materials to target audiences.
• Establishes/maintains an up-to-date documentation center for publications, press releases and clippings, as well as photographic and audio-visual materials (photo library) and mailing lists.

3. Support in Managing Programme Results

• Plans and issues payments, follows up on cash advance, liquidation and budget,
• Summarizes information reflecting current obligations and future programme and/or budgetary implications; organizes data and information,
• Prepare and maintain records, document and control plans for the monitoring of communication strategy implementation. Administrative and clerical support
• Scrutinizes plans of operations, exchanges of letters and takes appropriate follow-up action. Assists in the administrative process of requests for assistance.
• May be required to carry out specific administrative operational/control tasks for project/programme activities.
• Performs other duties as required.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Communication Associate GS6 Gaza - 114112.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the field of work.
• Work Experience: A minimum of six years of relevant administrative or clerical work experience is required.
• Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Partnerships, Working with people, Drive for results, Technical expertise.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• University courses in communications, technical training in media production, experience in media relations, experience in social media management, experience in content creation, experience in event logistics, knowledge of graphic design, experience with photo and video editing, experience working with donors and ambassadors.
• 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.

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 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.

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.