Communication Manager at the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Communication Manager, P4

Job Number: 520400
Location: Lagos
Work Type: Fixed Term Appointment

For every child, a future

Under the guidance of the Chief of Field Office the incumbent is responsible for leading, managing and coordinating the development of strategies and initiatives to maximize the role and influence of the private sector in advocacy for children’s rights; deepen organizational collaboration with key stakeholders; and provide an interface for environmental scanning, knowledge exchange, resource mobilization, and policy influence
S/He may also serve as a focal point and resource for colleagues on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership development
The key result is to ensure greater visibility for UNICEF in Nigeria amongst the public and private sectors, and influence in support of its mission.
As the position is Lagos-based, the Communication Manager will also oversee and guide communications with media in Lagos.

How can you make a difference?

Seeks and promotes new partnerships and resource mobilization, working with UNICEF colleagues to identify partnership and resource mobilization needs and broker resource mobilization agreements to meet those needs. Receives and screens inquiries from potential collaborators and facilitates communication with appropriate UNICEF staff. Scans and scouts external environment within designated partnership area for opportunities and risks and shares information in a timely fashion with relevant UNICEF staff. Provides strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF staff in corporate engagement and interaction with partners.
Develops and maintains deep knowledge and familiarity with current and prospective partners and relevant stakeholders, contributing to a database of key contacts and to UNICEF’s base of knowledge on partnership and resource mobilization. Expands UNICEF’s network of key interlocutors to build stronger relationships between UNICEF and governments, other key-decision makers, regional development institutions, foundations, the private sector, international financial institutions and/or relevant constituencies.
Develops and implements annual partnership engagement and resource mobilization plans.
Acts as focal point for identification and pursuit of opportunities for outreach, engagement, policy influence and collaboration, including on how to anticipate and respond to partners’ concerns and priorities, ensure that UNICEF’s interests, perspectives, and knowledge are taken into account in relevant policy and institutional processes, and ensure that they are fully aware of UNICEF’s perspectives, policies, priorities and capabilities. Contribute to the development and management of initiatives for high-level outreach, including for UNICEF’s Senior Management.
Contributes to the development of new partnership and resource mobilization practices and approaches by formulating recommendations for action based on on-going monitoring, analyzing current trends within designated partners and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development.
Contributes to strategies for engagement and the development of communications products to enhance UNICEF’s visibility and influence with existing and prospective partners and key stakeholders by providing analysis of the current environment and trends and formulating recommendations for strategy approaches and message development. Works closely with UNICEF’s colleagues to ensure that policy advocacy and outreach is strongly grounded in the experience and insights of the programmes that UNICEF’s supports. Contributes written inputs for communications instruments that best inform and influence decision makers.
Manages media relations with media based in Lagos, overseeing work of the Communications Specialist.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the success of the team, including guiding, training, and coaching short-term staff, including interns and consultants, as needed.

Requirements
Education:

An Advanced University Degree is required in Communications, Marketing, International Development, Public Affairs, International Relations, Political Science or other related field

Experience:

At least five (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in external relations, liaison and/or any resource-mobilization related activities, preferably in an international organization is required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required with knowledge of another UN language considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Competencies required for this post are: