Overview
The Communication Specialist will support the Communication and Advocacy section with public advocacy, donor visibility, digital content production, social media management, media engagement and communication on UNICEF-supported programmes and results.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the day-to-day management of UNICEF Afghanistan social media platforms, including content planning, drafting, scheduling, publishing and performance monitoring.
- Develop social media content in line with Country Office priorities, advocacy moments, donor visibility commitments, emergencies and programme results.
- Coordinate with Programme Sections and Field Offices to identify social media opportunities and ensure timely amplification of key activities and results.
- Ensure social media content is accurate, child-sensitive, politically sensitive, risk-informed and aligned with UNICEF communication standards.
- Support the development and implementation of donor visibility plans, ensuring that UNICEF and donor visibility requirements are met across communication products, field missions, events and digital platforms.
- Work closely with the Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation team, Programme Sections and Field Offices to identify donor-related communication opportunities, key results, human-interest stories and visibility moments.
- Draft, edit and quality assure donor-related communication materials, including human-interest stories, social media posts, captions, web stories, donor acknowledgements, talking points, briefing notes and visibility updates.
- Support donor missions and field visits through the preparation of communication briefs, key messages, content plans, social media packages and visibility materials.
- Support the collection, organisation and dissemination of donor visibility assets, including photos, videos, captions, consent forms, quotes and field notes.
- Contribute to the development of media materials, including press releases, media advisories, statements, key messages, Q&As, talking points and media briefs.
- Support rapid and accurate dissemination of information to media, National Committees, partners and other key audiences.
- Coordinate with programme and field colleagues to ensure that public messaging is evidence-based, timely and aligned with UNICEF positions.
- Support media visits, interviews, press conferences and field coverage, including preparation of briefing materials and coordination with colleagues.
- Support timely communication during humanitarian emergencies, including sudden-onset crises and ongoing humanitarian needs affecting children and families.
- Support the development and updating of emergency key messages, Q&As, situation updates, social media lines and public-facing communication materials.
- Coordinate with Programme Sections, Field Offices and emergency colleagues to gather timely information, stories, photos and videos from affected areas.
- Produce and disseminate rapid communication content highlighting the needs of children and families, UNICEF’s response and urgent funding requirements.
- Ensure emergency communication products are accurate, sensitive, protection-focused and aligned with humanitarian principles.
- Support field missions and content-gathering during emergencies, where required and feasible.
Required Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in communication, journalism, public relations, digital communication, media relations, advocacy or external relations. Experience managing institutional social media platforms and developing digital content plans is required. Demonstrated experience in producing communication content for public audiences, including human-interest stories, web stories, social media content, photo captions, video scripts and advocacy materials.
Qualifications
Advanced University Degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations, Social Sciences or another relevant field is required.
