If you are a committed, creative professional and you would like to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better and safe world for children, we would like to hear from you. Our State of Palestine Office is seeking a dynamic qualified candidate to join our team as Communication Officer at NOA level based in East Jerusalem, SOP.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Voice

UNICEF in the State of Palestine 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 overall supervision of the Communication Specialist, the Communication Officer will support UNIEF-SoP’s strategic focus to ensure greater presence, understanding, participation and meaningful engagement with our audiences through the development of high-quality content, research, community moderation and knowledge management. The incumbent will mainly contribute to the implementation of the office communication strategy and annual workplan with a focus on content production and engagement with development partners. Assist in developing, editing, producing and disseminating human-interest stories, press releases, reports. Ensure strategic engagement with relevant development partners whenever needed. And is responsible for creating compelling social media content; including planning, developing and implementing impactful and engaging social media content as well as producing social media reports.

III. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Communication strategy: 

Ensure that the production of communication products and materials is timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns, and priorities and to support resource mobilization as set out in the communication section’s annual work plan.

• Implement the tasks outlined in the country communication work plan and strategy as assigned.
• Gather content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results. Develop complementary, country specific and local community materials and activities.
• Support the production of communication materials (e.g. briefing notes, human interest stories, images, video. Web pages etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate.
• Follow up on the production of communication materials (e.g., films, videos, audio-visuals, etc.), and oversee the qualitative aspects of production, (e.g., quality control, translations, reviews of layout and graphic design etc.) to meet UNICEF Global standards.
• Maintain an up-to-date documentation centre for communication materials including publications, press releases and clippings, photographs, audio-visual materials, web resources etc.
• Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities.
• Recommend established contacts, networks, resources, and processes to support communication activities.

Social media: 

Ensure that the Country Office has a well-maintained social media platform with strong performance, growth and engagement indicators.

• Support the planning, development and implementation of dynamic, interactive and meaningful social media content strategies.
• Strategise to effectively reach UNICEF's target audiences through social media channels.
• Develop social media packs, craft engaging content from key messages and UNICEF’s multimedia library.
• Assist the development of creative assets including multimedia content for social media campaigns.
• Monitor and moderate social media channels, flagging risks and opportunities to deepen engagement.
• Support in providing analytics reports and provide recommendations on tactics to improve UNICEF's digital presence.

Media relations:

Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting, and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web etc. – in the country, to communicate the story of UNICEF and children to a wider audience.

• Maintain and update media relations contact list/database. Ensure rapid and accurate information dissemination to the media.
• Assist 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 and communication objectives.
• Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials in all media formats, as appropriate.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefing and visits of media and other special interest groups. Assist in the planning, logistic and administrative arrangements for them.
• Assist in collaborating with the media through activities such as organizing project site visits, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)

Monitoring and evaluation:

Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of country communication efforts. Results and reports are prepared and shared on a timely basis.

• Monitor and evaluate the appropriate and timely dissemination of advocacy and communication materials to target audiences and participate in the evaluation of their impact. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
• Monitor the public perception of UNICEF in the country and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.
• Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

Partners, and special events: 

Ensure that the Country Office’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), are maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals.

• Help organize and generate public support for special events and activities to promote country programme goals.
• Assist 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 and communication objectives.
• Maintain and update partner contact lists/database for country office.
• Monitor/document process and effectiveness of working with these individuals/organizations.
• Prepare background communication and promotional materials for briefings and visits of media, development partners, donors, National Committee representatives and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and assisting in the planning, logistics and administrative arrangements.

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

Education

• University degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations or related field. An advanced university degree is desired.

Work Experience

• At least one year of  practical professional work experience in communication, social media, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.
• At least 1 year field work experience is a plus.
• Background/familiarity with emergency situations is required.
• Strong copy-editing skills is required in Arabic and English.
• Demonstrated success in planning and implementing social media campaigns to achieve communication & advocacy goals.
• Digital platforms management experience is required.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) applications working proficiency is required.
• Knowledge of photo and video editing applications is a strong asset.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities within specified time frames.
• Experience in working for the UN or with International NGOs or global organizations is a plus.

Languages:

• Fluency in both English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate. 

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

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 are also 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 cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.