Job Description

UNICEF works in some of the world\'s toughest places, to reach the world\'s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate

An upper-middle income and culturally diverse country, Malaysia is home to 32.7 million people of which 9.2 million are children. The country has witnessed tremendous progress over the years in poverty reduction, access to primary health care, education, and advances in Child Rights and wellbeing, social and cultural norms. However, gaps in the legal, regulatory and policy framework, comparatively low levels of public expenditure on social protection and social services, and limited capacity in the public sector to meet the demands of the equity agenda, constrain women and child rights. Further advances in education, health and nutrition, and social protection outcomes are needed if Malaysia is to achieve advanced nation status.

UNICEF Malaysia is a unique country office in that it is an upper middle-income country, but with significant remaining disparities and inequalities where both advocacy and programming approaches are required. UNICEF adds value by influencing the development narrative of the country through quality evidence generation, evidence-based advocacy and policy recommendations, supported by partnerships and alliances with civil society, academia, and think tanks. UNICEF Malaysia also has a highly developed Private Sector Fundraising Team (PSFR) which raises significant resources for children in innovative ways. In this context, the role of multi-faceted evidence-based communications and policy advocacy and partnership building play critical roles in advancing child rights.

Adopting a human rights-based approach, the UNICEF country programme in Malaysia has been designed in partnership with the Government of Malaysia and is aligned with the Shared Prosperity Vision for 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan. The programme responds directly to UNICEF\'s and the UN\'s global priorities, Agenda 2030, the Leaving No One Behind and Build Back Better agendas and forms an integral part of the United Nation\'s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Malaysia 2021-2025.

How can you make a difference?

The P4 Chief of Communication and Advocacy is accountable for leading the advocacy and communication strategies of the Malaysia Country Office, under the supervision of the Representative.

The key areas of focus are advocacy for adoption of inclusive policies, visibility and branding communications, changing social norms, partnership with private sector fundraising.

The key activities include:

The development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of integrated advocacy and communication strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

The effective deployment of public channels and private relationships to mobilize public and private resources for children, including through UNICEF.

Using traditional and digital media and key partnerships to build awareness of and support for child rights and UNICEF\'s mission, priorities, and programmes at the national, regional and global level.

Working with children and young people to empower them as agents of change.

Responding to major communication risks and challenges.

As a member of the Management Team, the staff member will work alongside colleagues to oversee the overall performance of the office, create a positive workplace environment, and ensure the wellbeing of staff.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have\xe2\x80\xa6

Experience

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy/ campaigning and communication is required.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy and communication strategies, with clear theories of change, specific, measurable and timebound objectives, and performance indicators.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
• Experience in building strong relationships with traditional and social media entities and using media relations and channels to engage public audiences.
• Experience in leading the development, implementation and monitoring of digital strategies.
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Experience in managing a team is a requirement
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Knowledge of children\'s rights, public policy, international development and humanitarian issues.
• Experience in advocacy at the international level is an asset

Education

• An Advanced University degree is required in one of the following fields: International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Communication or related fields.
• *A first level university degree (Bachelor\'s) in a relevant field, in conjunction with two additional years of relevant work experience in advocacy, campaigning or a related field may be taken in lieu of an Advanced University degree
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is an asset

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF\'s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities)

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Click to learn more about UNICEF\'s values and competencies.

Click to learn more about UNICEF\'s compensation and benefits.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

UNICEF is here to serve the world\'s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. , irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a , including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and . UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: 17 Feb 2023 Singapore Standard Time
Deadline: 15 Mar 2023 Singapore Standard Time

Unicef