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, Rights
The DRC has an estimated population of 85 million of which 70 percent live in rural areas and 52 million are children aged under the age of 18 years, including 18.7 million adolescents. The country has been vulnerable to numerous health epidemics, with several outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, and polio over the past years. More recently, the health services have had to contend with COVID-19 as well. On top of this, the DRC continues to face an acute and complex humanitarian crisis. Ongoing violent conflicts, population displacement, poverty, and other challenges, mean that a total of 15.6 million people – including 9.1 million children – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Given these persistent and long-running levels of deprivation, Gender Based Violence (GBV) - has been a ubiquitous problem.
How can you make a difference?
The Writer & Media relation consultant is required to find the most compelling case studies and stories in relation to vulnerable children in DRC. He/she will interview children, parents and stakeholders and write detailed notes in well-written English so that comprehensive reports can be compiled which details the extent of humanitarian issues in the DRC, and what UNICEF is doing to address such concerns. The consultant may also be required to work with chiefs of programmes and senior management to prepare additional programmatic content.
The Writer & Media relation consultant will play a key role in helping to produce high-level communication assets related to humanitarian issues and UNICEF’s response to it, including assets which will be used on social media. Over the course of her 06-month contract, he/she may in addition be required to help prepare different types of reports in coordination with a photographer, communication consultants, and a graphic designer. He/she will also engage with international media and help produce short briefs for UNICEF senior staff members who will speak to the media.
He/she will report to the Chief of Communication and work closely with UNICEF field colleagues.
Scope of Work
The consultant will work closely with children, parents, communities, programme sections, as well as with relevant stakeholders. The following are the expected achievements:
I. Research and field trips to prepare angles for stories and reports;
II. Work closely with UNICEF DRC Communication, Advocacy and Partnership (CAP) Section to support the development and roll out of a communication assets;
III. Work closely with UNICEF DRC programme Sections to ensure that stories and reports are integrated into programme strategies and aligned to outcomes for children;
IV. Work closely with UNICEF partners in DRC to engage them in defining the right angles for our stories and reports, as well as communication assets;
V. Develop strong working relations with UNICEF stakeholders in the DRC.
Deliverables
Stories, reports, briefing notes (in well written English), assistance in writing press releases; presentations for UNICEF management and journalists, assistance in producing communication/advocacy materials on the different humanitarian crisis; assistance in producing of human-interest stories and social media posts. Here are the expected monthly deliverables:
31/08/2022
Working Plan in coordination with programmes and chief field offices
Research Plan in coordination with programmes
1 international press release
1 external brief for media
1 field trip with international media
3 stories for social media
1 field trip with programme Sections for advocacy report
30/09/2022
1 international press release
1 external brief for media
1 field trip with international media
3 stories for social media
1 field trip with programme Sections for advocacy reports
31/10/2022
1 international press release
1 external brief for media
1 field trip with international media
3 stories for social media
1 field trip with programme Sections for advocacy reports
30/11/2022
1 international press release
1 external brief for media
1 field trip with international media
3 stories for social media
1 field trip with programme Sections for advocacy reports
31/12/2023
2 international press releases
2 external briefs for media
2 field trips with international media
4 stories for social media
2 field trips with programme Sections for advocacy reports
31/01/2023
1 international press release
1 external brief for media
1 field trip with international media
3 stories for social media
1 field trip with programme Sections for advocacy report
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications, or an undergraduate degree plus at least 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in of journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
Submission of Financial Offers
Applicants are invited to produce a financial offer indicating the total remuneration (fees, mission expenses, visa, etc.).
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE SRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
