Vacancy Announcement from UNICEF
National UNV Youth – Communication Support Officer
Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 01/03/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals
Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: UNICEF
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu
Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.
UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.
We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Context
Under UNICEF’s mandate to improve the well-being of all children everywhere, communication plays a pivotal role, serving as a powerful tool to raise awareness and mobilize support for our mission. The creation of high-quality, compelling multimedia content — including stories, photos, videos, infographics, reports and branding of various documents and materials — is crucial in enabling us to highlight the situation of children and young people, capture UNICEF’s work to improve their lives, and catalyse positive action and change.
To ensure this content reaches the right audiences effectively, UNICEF leverages its social media platforms and website as key dissemination channels. Through strategic use of these digital platforms, we amplify our messages, engage with diverse audiences and foster meaningful dialogue to drive public support and enhance visibility for children’s rights.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Communication Officer, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:
Support content creation:
Research and identify opportunities to highlight UNICEF’s programmes, advocacy priorities and success stories
- Support the planning and organizing of content gathering visits to the field, including guiding and coordinating with photographers, videographers, writers and other creative teams as required.
- Support the review and finalization of collected content – including providing feedback to photographers and videographers, as well as drafting subtitles, and performing basic video and photo edits
- Create and edit original content, including human interest stories, blogs, articles, key messages by liaising with programme teams, partners, and beneficiaries to gather information, conduct interviews, and fact-check content
Management of audiovisual assets
- Assist in the curation and organization of photos, videos and other multimedia assets to support UNICEF’s campaigns and initiatives
- Maintain and organize the WeShare digital asset library to ensure easy access and efficient use of audiovisual materials.
Social media support
- Support the development and scheduling of engaging social media posts tailored to different platforms and audiences
- Track and analyze the performance of social media content and provide recommendations
Website management
- Regularly update and manage UNICEF Nepal’s website with new stories, publications and other resources
- Collaborate with programme teams to create and publish new webpages, blogs, or features as needed.
- Monitor website analytics and recommend improvements
Additional tasks:
- Contribute to internal communication efforts, including working on internal/external newsletters, calendars and cards.
- Support the team in planning and executing events throughout the year.
- Support the office in planning and executing donor visits.
- Assist in graphic design for social media, reports, infographics and other communication materials.
- Support the team’s media monitoring efforts, including tracking UNICEF-mentions in media and regular news analysis.
- Support with translating content in local language.
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 take 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.
- Creation of high-quality content packages, including photos, videos and human-interest stories
- Development of social media messages and scheduling across platforms
- Maintenance of the WeShare digital asset library
- Regular updates and management of the UNICEF Nepal website
- Design of social media graphics, infographics and communication materials.
- Support in planning and executing events.
- Contribution to internal newsletters, calendars, and communication materials.
- Monitoring and reporting on social media and website analytics.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience: 1 month
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
1 month
Languages
Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in in arts, communications, media studies, public relations, development studies, social work, science or a related field.
Competencies and values
Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF’s 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 behaviours 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 behaviour; 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 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;
Creativity and innovation in content creation and curation.
Skills and experience
- Proven skills in creating content – stories, social media, photos and videos
- Previous experience using office programmes and photo/video editing software
- Previous experience in the United Nations system is an asset
- Previous experience using website content management system is an asset
Area(s) of expertise
Communication
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
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