Director, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, (D2), New York, USA

The mission of UNICEF is to promote the survival, well-being and rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. As the custodian of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, UNICEF has helped transform countless children’s lives around the world. In 1965, the organization won the Nobel Prize for its work in ensuring millions of children survive and thrive and are enabled to reach their full potential. With our multisectoral programs around the world, ranging from education, nutrition, health, water and sanitation, social protection and child protection, and working with partners far and wide, UNICEF has been able to reduce child mortality 50% since 2000.

But in 2026, as the organization celebrates its 80th anniversary, children are living in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights. Rising poverty and inequality, public health emergencies and the mounting debt burden infringe on children’s ability to reach their full potential. Rising geo-political tensions have led to the highest number of conflicts in the world since UNICEF was established – with 1 in 5 children now either living in a conflict zone or fleeing from it. Globally, more than 1 billion children currently live in countries that are at ‘extremely high-risk’ from the impacts of climate change, posing an existential threat to the health and wellbeing of this and future generations of children. The decline in global ODA compounds the challenge to reach children in need of humanitarian assistance, social services or protection.

Child rights violations are widespread and increasing, including grave abuses such as recruitment into armed conflict, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access, significantly impacting children’s lives globally.  Children now face threats which the international system was never designed to address, such as algorithmic exploitation and AI deployed without safeguards. At no time since the CRC was adopted have children’s rights been in greater jeopardy.

UNICEF brings a unique focus and voice on child rights, for every child. Based on 80 years of hands-on experience, combined with research and evidence, UNICEF knows what needs to be done to turn the tide. UNICEFs comparative advantage lies in accelerating government-led progress on children’s survival and development, learning and skills, freedom from poverty, protection from conflict and violence, and resilience in the face of climate and environmental risks.

That progress is further reinforced through strategic investments in building, nurturing and managing public and private partnerships, including with multilateral banks, international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, foundations, civil society, social movements, private sector partners, media, opinion leaders and the public, including children and youth.

Those investments are underpinned by evidence-based, context-sensitive advocacy and strategic communications that mobilize support and financial investments for child rights, build political will in complex situations, combat misinformation, and amplify program results. UNICEF protects children during conflicts, in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law, by engaging with decision-makers and the public through humanitarian advocacy. In all settings, UNICEF enables meaningful engagement with children and adolescents to support their empowerment as agents of change in their own right

For every child, a champion.

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, the Director of Global Communications and Advocacy shapes and leads global communications, advocacy and brand management efforts in support of the global positioning of UNICEF as a key actor and partner to deliver results for children and promote child rights in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Director is an effective yet kind manager and a bold, politically sophisticated communicator who sets the global influencing agenda on child rights and well-being, shapes narratives, and can form strong relationships internally as well as with senior external stakeholders.

The Director sets policy directions in establishing and implementing communication and advocacy priorities, ensuring co-ordination between relevant Divisions and Offices to reinforce synergy in communication, policy guidance, advocacy and brand management. S/he will lead the strategic development of UNICEF's brand positioning, identity and thought leadership - ensuring the organization is seen as a bold, credible and agenda-setting voice for children in global public and political discourse. The Director ensures that advocacy and communications is positioned as a key enabler for effective fundraising and partnerships, as well as program delivery.

In particular, the Director, Division of Global Communication and Advocacy, is responsible for:

• Overseeing the design and strategic implementation of communication and advocacy strategy, its priorities and tactics at the global level, for both development and humanitarian contexts, aligned with the organizational Global Communications and Advocacy Strategy (GCAS) and the UNICEF Strategic Plan, and consistent positioning of UNICEF as a credible global voice on child rights violations.
• Providing senior level guidance and counsel on communication and advocacy strategy and risk management to the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors and other members of the UNICEF Global Management Team.
• Securing and directing necessary human and financial resources within the Division to support both global actions and the efforts of regional and country level communication and advocacy work.
• Overseeing the Division of GCA, providing senior leadership guidance as well as management oversight, quality assurance and management accountabilities for global communication and advocacy initiatives - including digital platforms, channels and content - global media outreach, global advocacy publications, child and youth engagement initiatives in support of advocacy, brand development and governance, strategic global communication and advocacy partnerships, and internal communications and staff engagement.

How can you make a difference?

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Advise and assist the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors on the global positioning of children's issues and child rights, through effective communications, advocacy and brand management, and ensure synergies with fundraising and partnerships efforts.
2. Lead the development and implementation of a global communication and advocacy strategy with clear priorities to promote children's issues and child rights, reflecting global trends. In collaboration with related HQ Divisions, Regional and Country Offices and National Committees, establish priorities and provide overall guidance and direction for the implementation of UNICEF's global communication and advocacy plans. Coordinate with other divisions to maximize communication, advocacy, partnerships and resource mobilization efforts.
3. Ensure a systematic approach to anticipate and manage reputational risks to the organization and its leadership. Act as the organization's senior spokesperson, and delegate authority as such effectively where required.
4. Ensure the effective communication, visibility and impact of UNICEF's mandate as the world’s premier child rights organization, through the effective oversight and execution of integrated communication and advocacy plans (including media relations, engagement and use of Goodwill Ambassadors, advocacy publications, first in class content, digital platforms and social media), whilst regularly updating UNICEFs champion and influencer strategy through (digital) content creators and third party advocates.
5. Lead UNICEF's strategic response to the algorithmic media environment - platform dynamics, AI-generated content, attentional economy, content distribution at scale as well as managing and mitigating mis- and disinformation. Drive a risk-informed pursuit of opportunities created by advancing technologies to position UNICEF as a leading authority and thought leader on child rights globally.
6. Establish global best standards in UNICEF communication and advocacy and drive global coordination across the decentralized UNICEF ecosystem (spanning Country Offices in low-income and fragile contexts to National Committees in high-income contexts) and supporting Regional Offices and Country Offices through delivery of effective capacity and technical support and ensure consistent messaging across the UNICEF ecosystem.
7. In collaboration with other Divisions, identify and develop communication and advocacy partnerships with international foundations and institutions, amongst others, to advocate for and enhance international understanding of development issues and in particular child-related issues as well as child rights violations, including in humanitarian crises.
8. Direct and manage DGCA resources (including human, information technology, and financial) in accordance with relevant rules, policies, procedures and standards. Foster a conducive, inclusive and empowering working environment, ensuring coherent, well-motivated team leadership and direction.
9. Establish systematic monitoring systems to inform and strengthen UNICEF's global communication and advocacy efforts against key results. Provide oversight and quality assurance of communication products and services produced by the Division of Global Communications and Advocacy (DGCA).
10. As member of the UNICEF Global Management Team, participate in key meetings and represent the communications and advocacy field. Represent the organization in external events and bodies as relevant.
11. Work closely with counterparts in other UN agencies and identify opportunities for collaboration on joint communication and advocacy initiatives. Provide general policy advice on public information and communication matters of common interest and jointly plan United Nations public information operations, as warranted.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in journalism, communication, international relations, or a related field of study is required. A first level degree (bachelor or equivalent) in journalism, communication, mass media, international relations, political affairs, may be considered in lieu of advanced degree with additional two years of relevant experience. Training and broad knowledge of mass media and interpersonal communication is an asset.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, strategic communications, or international relations, of which at least five years in a leadership position in a large multicultural institution is required.
• Experience in building and maintaining diverse coalitions of champions and influencers, brokering unconventional partnerships, and finding new and innovative ways to raise awareness on the rights violations and plight of children, whilst highlighting evidence and track record of available, cost-effective solutions.
• Experience in leading a large team of diverse staff in several global locations with a demonstrable track record of team elevation and effective delegation is required. Experience and understanding of United Nations and UNICEF’s work in the field is desired. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency settings is considered a major asset.
• Experience in leading and designing strategic communication programmes in a fast-changing world is required. A proven ability to set a global influencing agenda and experience in establishing and leading campaigns is required, using sophisticated media differentiation strategies.
• Demonstrated expertise in the contemporary information environment, including expertise in managing and mitigating mis- and disinformation.
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is considered an asset.

Skills

• Recognized excellence of strategic management skills in a multicultural setting, combined with demonstrated ability to achieve results through delegation and empowerment of staff, delivered with care, respect and purpose.
• Demonstrated political accumen and strategic insight, underpinned by rigorous analytical and conceptual thinking, with the ability to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, anticipate shifts affecting children’s rights, and make sound judgments in a highly constrained and competitive global funding environment.
• Results-oriented decision-making ability with an aptitude to address operational challenges and for developing practical solutions.
• Innovator with risk management ability and a proven track record as a successful agent of change built on experience and knowledge of current trends in the field of communication and advocacy.
• A campaigning mindset with a track record of shaping public narratives and shifting opinion at scale, grounded in audience-centric testing, learning and rapid iteration.
• High sense of integrity, trust and confidence, reinforced by proven experience in managing and motivating large and geographically diverse teams in high pressure and fast-moving environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to set out a coherent analysis in presentations.
• Strong diplomatic and communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with clients and counterparts at the appropriate levels.
• Ability to represent UNICEF in international fora.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

To view our 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 manages people) for a supervisory role.

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.

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.

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.

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.