Communications Expert

Communications Expert

Host entity: UNICEF

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General

Description of assignment title: Communications Expert

Assignment country: Malawi

Duty stations: Lilongwe

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 2027-01-04T00:00:00

Expected end date: 2027-07-04T00:00:00

Duration: 181 days (with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: National Expert Premise Fulltime LongTerm

Work schedule: -

For how many hours per week will the volunteer be required?: -

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF works in some of the world's most challenging environments to reach the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories to save lives, defend children's rights, and help every child realize their full potential. Working every day for every child, UNICEF strives to build a better future through equity, inclusion, and sustainable development.

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme supports the Government of Malawi in fulfilling its commitments to uphold and advance the rights of children and women. The programme is aligned with national development priorities and contributes to improving outcomes for children through integrated, evidence-based, and innovative approaches. Guided by the principles of children's rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion, resilience, and accountability, UNICEF works to ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, learn, and be protected.

UNICEF Malawi's vision is that all children, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, realize their rights and reach their full potential. The programme focuses on strengthening systems and services in health, nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social policy, and emergency preparedness and response. UNICEF also promotes community engagement, social inclusion, adolescent development, and resilience to climate and other shocks, while strengthening evidence generation, monitoring, innovation, and partnerships to achieve sustainable results for children.

At the heart of UNICEF's work is the commitment to leave no child behind, ensuring that the most vulnerable girls and boys have equitable access to opportunities and services that enable them to survive, develop, participate, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Context

The United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Communication Expert will provide strategic communications support to UNICEF Malawi’s Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) Section. The Expert will help translate programme priorities and evidence into compelling narratives, integrated communication plans and high-impact public engagement that advance child rights, strengthen UNICEF’s positioning and reputation, and demonstrate results to partners and the public. Working across programme teams and with external stakeholders, the Expert will advise on communication approaches; lead the planning and delivery of priority campaigns, media engagement and digital communication; identify and manage reputational risks; and ensure consistent, ethical and measurable communication across channels. The assignment requires an experienced communications professional with a proven record of delivering high-quality communication strategies, campaigns, media products, digital content, executive materials and results reporting.

Task type

Task description

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships, or a designated representative, the UNV Communication Expert will provide strategic advice and hands-on leadership across the following areas:

1. Strategic communication planning, positioning and storytelling

• Develop and implement integrated communication plans aligned with UNICEF Malawi’s programme priorities, advocacy objectives, partnership goals and key moments.
• Translate programme evidence and results into compelling human-interest stories, feature

articles, briefs, press releases, speeches, talking points and social media content for diverse

audiences.

• Exercise editorial quality assurance and ensure all products meet UNICEF brand, accessibility, ethical storytelling, child safeguarding and visibility standards.

2. Digital and social media management

• Plan and develop editorial calendars and content for UNICEF Malawi’s website and social

media channels, ensuring timely, audience-focused and platform-appropriate content.

• Use digital analytics and audience insights to optimize content, strengthen engagement and

report on reach, quality and outcomes.

• Coordinate the production of multimedia assets and maintain high standards for accuracy, consent, accessibility, branding and safeguarding.

3. Media relations and public Information

• Develop and implement proactive media engagement plans and maintain trusted relationships with journalists, editors and media houses.
• Identify newsworthy opportunities, pitch stories, coordinate interviews and support media

coverage of UNICEF priorities, results, events and campaigns.

• Prepare high-quality media advisories, press releases, key messages, question-and-answer

briefs and executive talking points.

4. Public Advocacy Campaigns

• Lead the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of integrated public advocacy

campaigns on priority child-rights issues.

• Develop campaign strategies, audience journeys, key messages, creative briefs, scripts and

communication materials in collaboration with programme teams and partners.

• Coordinate government, media, youth, civil society, and private sector engagement to expand

campaign reach and influence.

• Set measurable indicators, track performance and document results, lessons and recommendations for future communication.

5. Events management

• Support planning and execution of UNICEF events such as launches, press briefings, field

missions, donor visits, community engagements and high-level advocacy meetings.

• Coordinate logistics, branding, media presence and documentation for events.
• Prepare event briefs, talking points, speeches and post-event communication materials.
• Ensure events reflect UNICEF’s communication standards and visibility guidelines.

6. Coordination, quality assurance and results management

• Coordinate communication inputs across the CAP Section, programme teams, senior management, regional and headquarters colleagues, and external partners to ensure

coherent planning and messaging.

• Manage communication workplans, production schedules and assigned budgets, and

oversee external suppliers and consultants against clear briefs, deliverables and quality

standards.

• Establish practical monitoring frameworks and prepare concise performance reports that

demonstrate communication reach, engagement, influence and contribution to programme

and advocacy results.

• Build the communication capacity of colleagues and partners through coaching, guidance,

templates and quality feedback.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active CAP team member, the UNV will be expected to render efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• A prioritized six-month communication workplan, with clear audiences, deliverables, milestones, responsibilities and performance indicators, is agreed and implemented.
• High-quality strategic and editorial products including communication plans, stories, press

releases, briefs, speeches, talking points and digital content are delivered on time and to

UNICEF standards.

• Priority public advocacy campaigns are planned and implemented with measurable audience

reach, engagement and documented results.

• UNICEF Malawi’s digital channels are supported by a consistent editorial calendar, stronger

content quality and regular performance analysis.

• Proactive media engagement generates accurate, timely and positive coverage, while emerging issues and reputational risks are identified and addressed promptly.
• Major events, donor visits and high-level engagements are supported by coherent communication packages, strong visibility and timely follow-up products.
• Monthly analytics and concise results reports inform management decisions and demonstrate

communications’ contribution to advocacy and programme priorities.

• Age, Gender and Diversity perspectives are systematically applied, integrated and documented throughout the assignment.
• A final statement documents achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development,

including activities undertaken and capacities strengthened.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 84 months

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Duration limit: Maximum years of service as a national UN Volunteer is 4 years.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 7 months

Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level: Master's degree Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, International Relations, Development studies or a related field is preferred. A first university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted. At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, media relations, digital communication, advocacy, campaigns, public relations or a related field is strongly preferred. Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of independently leading and delivering core communication products and initiatives from strategy and planning through implementation, quality assurance, measurement and reporting.

Area(s) of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Data science, information management, Artificial Intelligence, Digital and social media

Driving license: -

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: understands UNICEF-relevant operations, rules and procedures; applies

sound judgement, discretion and political sensitivity; works independently, takes initiative and

manages information accurately, objectively and confidentially; is responsive and client-

oriented.

• Integrity: upholds UN and UNICEF values and ethical standards; acts in the organization’s

interest, resists undue pressure and does not abuse power or authority.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: works effectively across teams and cultures; builds

strong partnerships; respects diversity; supports gender equality and helps colleagues

achieve shared goals.

• Commitment to continuous learning: shows initiative, learns new skills and adapts to

changing work needs.

• Planning and organizing: sets priorities, manages competing deadlines and coordinates work

efficiently under pressure.

• Communication: communicates clearly in writing and speech; presents options and

recommendations concisely; shares information effectively with diverse audiences.

• Flexibility: adapts to changing, demanding or remote working conditions and is willing to

travel or relocate within the area of operations when needed.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes

solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s

mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated communication strategies

and workplans linked to organizational or programme results.

• A strong portfolio of high-quality writing and editing, including stories, press releases, briefs,

speeches, talking points, web content and social media copy.

• Proven experience leading public campaigns, media engagement and digital content planning, with evidence of measurable reach, engagement or influence.
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior colleagues, distil complex evidence into clear

messages and tailor communication for government, donors, media, partners and the public.

• Experience using media monitoring, social media analytics and other performance data to

identify risks, refine approaches and report results.

• Sound knowledge of brand management, ethical storytelling, informed consent, child

safeguarding and reputational risk management.

• Experience coordinating multimedia production, events, external suppliers and multiple

stakeholders against deadlines and quality standards.

• Excellent judgement, political sensitivity, organization and interpersonal skills, with the ability

to work independently and collaboratively under pressure.

• Experience with the United Nations, an international development organization or a child-

rights organization is an asset; familiarity with the Malawi media and communication

environment is desirable.

Living conditions and remarks

As a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.