Readvertisement: Communication Assistant GS5 FT - Conakry, Guinea

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, a champion 

Guinea is a lower-middle-income country facing significant challenges in child development and deprivation. According to the latest Human Development Index (HDI) report, Guinea has an HDI of 0.480, ranking 178th out of 191 countries in 2023, reflecting its ongoing struggle with poverty and social development challenges. Since 1984, UNICEF has worked with the government and various partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to improve conditions for children. 

The population of Guinea is projected to be around 15.2 million in 2025, with 63.4% living in rural areas and women comprising approximately 50.3% of the population. The annual growth rate remains steady at about 2.8%. Children under the age of 18 account for roughly 51% of the population, underscoring the critical need for child-focused interventions in areas such as health, education, and protection (World Population Review). 

The vision of the 2024-2028 country programme is: \"A Guinea where children, especially adolescent girls and children from the most vulnerable families in the most disadvantaged geographical areas, have equitable opportunities for sustainable access to essential social services and quality social protection, and can reach their full potential, including in a context of climate-related vulnerabilities and emergencies\". 

Currently, Guinea faces several humanitarian and emergency situations with multiple health crises, including outbreaks of diseases such as poliovirus, diphtheria, yellow fever, and Lassa fever. The country is particularly vulnerable to health shocks due to weak healthcare infrastructure. In addition, the country faces regularly natural disasters, such as flooding, which displace populations, damage infrastructure, and exacerbate the already challenging humanitarian conditions. These ongoing challenges necessitate continued support and local resilience-building measures to mitigate their impacts on the population. 

The UNICEF Guinea office is looking for committed and creative professionals to make a lasting difference for Guinean children. 

Strategic office context:  

The UNICEF Guinea Country Office is committed to advancing the rights and well-being of every child in Guinea, particularly the most vulnerable. The current programme focuses on health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social policy, with a strong emphasis on equity, community engagement, and evidence-based advocacy. 

The Communication, Advocacy and Partnership section plays a crucial role in promoting awareness of children's rights, building public support for UNICEF's work, and fostering strategic partnerships with media, civil society, and the private sector to amplify impact and resource mobilization. 

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job: 

The Communication Assistant will support the implementation of the communication and advocacy strategy by contributing to content production, media engagement, event organization, and visibility efforts. The incumbent will be accountable for ensuring timely dissemination of quality communication products and logistical support to campaigns, while maintaining UNICEF’s brand and public image. 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: 

Administrative and Logistical Support 

・Organize meetings, workshops, and events including logistics, documentation, and follow-up. 

・Process administrative transactions related to procurement, payments, and travel. 

Media and Digital Monitoring 

・Monitor local media and report on issues relevant to UNICEF’s mandate. 

・Compile daily press clippings and media reports. 

Content and Material Management 

・Support the documentation and archiving of communication materials (photos, videos, press releases). 

・Assist in producing and editing communication materials for print and digital use. 

Support to Visibility and Advocacy Campaigns 

・Assist in planning and implementing communication and advocacy activities. 

・Provide support in updating UNICEF Guinea’s digital platforms. 

Internal Coordination 

・Maintain an updated calendar of communication activities. 

・Liaise with other sections and external stakeholders as needed.

Writing, Editing, and Disseminating Institutional Content

・Draft, edit, and review press releases, news articles, human-interest stories, reports, blogs, and other institutional communications.

・Ensure content adheres to UNICEF style guidelines and communication standards.

・Support on distribution content effectively through appropriate channels, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination.

Creating and Managing Multimedia Content for Digital Platforms

・Produce multimedia content such as videos, photos, infographics, and social media posts.

・Manage and regularly update UNICEF Chile’s digital platforms, including social media accounts, website content, and newsletters.

・Engage with online audiences, responding to inquiries, moderating discussions, and ensuring interactive and dynamic content delivery. 

Supporting the Development of Consistent Narratives

・Collaborate with the communications team to develop compelling narratives aligned with key advocacy and fundraising strategies.

・Support the conceptualization and execution of campaigns, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals.

・Assist in developing strategic communication materials and tools for various campaigns and projects.

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

Education:  

Completion of secondary education is required. University-level courses in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field is an asset. 

Experience:  

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, preferably in communication or public relations, including some experience in international organizations. 

Language Requirements:  

Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English is an asset. Knowledge of local languages is desirable. 

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  

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  

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 and candidates with disabilities 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.  

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.