Job Title: Senior Communications Associate

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path.

About U-Report:

U-report continues to grow as does the demands on the program from government, NGOs, other UN agencies and UNICEF itself. To meet the information requirements being placed on U-report by partners at all levels, UNICEF Uganda requires an enthusiastic, hard-working, determined Data Analyst to ensure that data integrity is improved and that trends are identified and analysed effectively for publication in the media, online and throughout Parliament.

The U-report program uses mobile technology through SMS to provide a forum of opinion and information sharing for youth and children in Uganda. Using a crowd-sourcing approach to initiate an SMS dialogue with the members (‘U-reporters’) the ultimate aim of the program is to stimulate citizen-led and youth-led development.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• The UNICEF Senior Communications Associate will support the Project Manager with planning, development, delivery and execution of internal or external communication activities.
• Create content for the website and post updates on social media and/or blog
• Responsible for collecting, producing and disseminating U-report stories in cooperation with external and internal parties.
• Organize and conduct interviews with U-reporters, NGO partners, Members of Parliament, Government of Uganda Officials as material for media.
• Work closely and coordinate with designers to ensure the effectiveness of U-report messaging in promotional material.
• Establish a system or method for gathering feedback on the content of marketing material and activities to gain lessons learned for future production projects.
• Work with the Project Manager and the Youth Engagement Programme Specialist to create and implement media activities that generate a positive outlook on U-report and empower young people within their communities.

• Develop a campaign specifically to recruit children with disabilities into the U-report program which will include creative assets.
• Supervising media partners by coordinating and organizing the logistics for U-report productions (TV shows, radio shows) ensuring objectives are successfully carried out.
• Responsible for the accountability of radio stations contracted via LTA for U-report campaign support. As such the consultant will work closely with 3rd party monitoring agency (IPSOS) to ensure spots are played as scheduled.
• Verify timely payment of invoices for media vendors as instructed by the Chief. This requires the development and management of an invoicing system which will be used to follow up with payment discrepancies and alert vendors that have not billed for delivered activity.
• Create, develop and maintain a media optimization platform that allows for easy understanding of the most efficient media channels and the most efficient media stations for generating U-report membership and feedback, through compilation and advanced analysis of U-report registration data since May 2011.
• Coordinate all media related activities in and around internationally recognized UN days and communicate these when applicable to the U-reporters.
• Write and present national U-report presentations under guidance and supervision of the Project Manager.
• Perform any other task required to ensure the success of the U-report programme.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicants should hold degrees in Social Sciences as well as a track record of practical data analysis and communications experience. (A combination of a degree and relevant practical experience may be substituted for the particular fields mentioned.)
• Four or more years’ experience working in a humanitarian field, part of which was dedicated to communications.
• Past exposure and experience working with youth organizations.
• Previously published articles within Ugandan media and government publications.
• Prior experience writing TV and radio show briefs and scripts.
• Fluency in written and verbal communication in English is essential. (Publication standard)
• Good knowledge and understanding of development issues, world affairs and current events
• A good understanding of UNICEF programmes and policy, including knowledge of communication, technology, youth participation and partnership goals.
• Strong writing and communication skills and the aptitude to handle competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences
• Ability to travel and work in remote and sometimes insecure locations
• Residence and work experience in East Africa, current or past, is advantageous.

 How to Apply:

• ONLY Ugandan Nationals will be considered.
• UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The applications will be considered only if accompanied by an updated CV and P11 form, as well as the most recent performance evaluation report.

If applications are sent by email, please clearly indicate the position applied for and use this order to name your file attachments: Firstname_Lastname followed by document e.g. Gold_MukasaP11 or Gold_MukasaCV or Gold_ MukasaApplication.

UNICEF is a smoke free environment.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

All candidates who desire to work in the prestigious United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the above position should send their resume to:

Human Resource Specialist,

UNICEF Kampala, Uganda,

Plot 9, George Street,

P.O. Box 7047, Kampala-Uganda.

Via email to: ugderecruit@unicef.org / jobst4d@gmail.com

Deadline: 8th August, 2014

  job, JOBS, UNICEF