TA, External Communication Specialist, P-3, Bamako, Mali (6 months)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

BACKGROUND:

The food and nutrition crisis continues to severely impact children in Mali, especially the most vulnerable. Data from a 2016 nutritional survey shows hardly any improvement in the nutritional status of children. Stunting among children under 5 is stalled at 28 per cent and global acute malnutrition reaches an alarming 15% in some areas. At the same time, funding streams for nutrition interventions in Mali have been drying up.

In this context, UNICEF Mali is accelerating its external communications efforts and expanding its digital presence in the area of child nutrition, with the ultimate goal of increasing the support, engagement and resources for the fight against child malnutrition in Mali.

PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication and in close collaboration with the Nutrition programme and the Advocacy Specialist, the incumbent will provide technical support to the Mali Country Office in the area of External Communications and Media Relations in order to achieve results in the fight against child malnutrition among children in Mali. 

The incumbent will contribute to the design and execution of a communication strategy, including engagement with national and international media and strategic use of digital communications channels, to increase engagement, buy in and resources for the fight against child malnutrition in Mali.

The incumbent will also lead the production of high quality communications materials and tools tailored to the identified priority target audiences. 

The incumbent will also leverage on approaches such as youth engagement and media training to ensure long-term prioritization of the issue.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. In collaboration with the Nutrition and Communication programs, and with inputs from specialists in Advocacy, Resource Mobilization and Social Policy, and based on advocacy priorities and messages, contribute to developing a nutrition-focused communication strategy in Mali that includes media outreach, digital communications (social media and U-Report), youth engagement and content creation
2. Identify key target media and social media users whose support is essential to the achievement of the advocacy and communications objectives
3. In collaboration with the Advocacy Specialist, assist in developing key messages and talking points on child malnutrition for external use which are tailored to identified target audiences and produce relevant media materials based on approved key messages (press releases, media advisories)
4. Engage national and international media to highlight the situation of child malnutrition in Mali through pitching, media events, and field trips
5. Oversee the training of national media and child journalists on reporting on child nutrition
6. Produce a steady stream of compelling, high-quality communication materials with a strong human focus (human interest stories, blogs, photo essays, videos, digital content, etc.), and oversee qualitative aspects of production (e.g., quality control, translation, review of layouts and graphic design)
7. Support the Nutrition programme in producing engaging materials for outreach to donors, Natcoms and other partners (concept notes, fact sheets, etc)
8. Any other relevant task assigned.

 Expected deliverables:

• Development of a nutrition-focused communications strategy for UNICEF Mali
• Coordination of at least 2 media field visits
• Coordination of at least 2 press breakfasts/conferences
• Coordination of at least one training of media and child journalists on reporting on child nutrition
• At least 4 press releases/notes/media advisories
• At least 3 concept notes/fact sheets/one-pagers
• At least 5 human interest stories/webstories/blogs
• At least 5 photo essays
• At least 2 videos (B-roll and edited versions)
• At least 60 social media posts for use on Facebook and Twitter
• Coordination of at least 3 U-Report activities
• Other deliverables as discussed with Communications and Nutrition teams 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

Advanced University Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Social/Human Sciences or related field.

*First university degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience and skills

• Five years of work experience in communication, print/broadcast media or digital media, with experience in crisis/humanitarian situations for the UN/NGOs preferable.
• Proven ability to successfully pitch and place stories with international media
• Proven ability to tell compelling stories through both image and text and to produce high quality photography and videography.
• Design skills highly desired.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in French & English (required)

Competency Profiles

1. Core Values 

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion  
• Integrity

2. Core Competencies 

• Communication [ III ]
• Working with People [ II ]
• Drive for Results [ II ]

3. Functional Competencies 

• Leading and Supervising [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts   [ II ]
• Relating and Networking   [ II ]
• Persuading and Influencing   [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise   [ II ]      
• Entrepreneurial Thinking [ II ]            
• Planning & Organizing   [ II ]

Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service