Communication and Reports Officer

Mission and objectivesUNICEF works to promote and protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We work with the government to improve national and regional policies, programmes and services for children and adolescents. Together with partners, we address common barriers to the realization of their rights.

ContextThe fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. Equity accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. (Visit: https://www.unicef.org/philippines/)

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the UNICEF-MFO Communication Officer, the UNV Communication and Reports Officer will undertake the following functions: • Assist in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support UNICEF's mission in the country • Assist in writing and editing human interest stories, press releases, talking points, articles, scripts, and other written materials • Assist in producing and designing content for social media, such as factographs, infographics, and other materials that require simple design; • Provide support to sections in events, launches, campaigns, and other key communication activities • Provide support for reporting, including donor reports, proposals, and other documents, to ensure their quality and consistency. • Adapt multimedia assets from HQ Division of Communication, Regional Office, or other UNICEF offices for the local audience Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to Communication and Advocacy results carried out by UNICEF. Increased programme visibility within UNICEF community and amongst UNICEF partners, and increased integration within programmatic areas related to communication. Traditional media and digital media outreach to raise awareness about the situation of children. This involves the coordination and production of human-interest stories and other communication material. A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

Competencies and values• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksEntitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD400), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for National UN Volunteer Specialist in Cotabato City, Philippines at PHP 50,838 (*), Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore * VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.