Digital Communication Specialist

UNICEF is seeking a highly skilled Digital Communication Specialist to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for working with internal and external partners to maximize the use of data to deliver on goals and objectives, and to integrate latest technological developments to enhance the U-Report platform.

• Manage and oversee the RapidPro platform for U-Report, including creating and maintaining chatbots and polls.
• Collaborate with UNICEF teams and U-Reporters to design interactive and user-friendly chat flows and polls and ensure U-Report user experience is regularly updated and optimized.
• Continuously analyze and optimize user interactions, improving efficiency and satisfaction.
• Architect solutions to common digital problems faced by U-Report projects and lead the productization of those solutions for digital reliability and scalability at the country office level.
• Further develop functionality and sophistication of U-Report technology to better serve young people based on their feedback and demands.
• Work with internal and external partners to integrate up-to-date technology into the U-Report platform, including the use of Artificial Intelligence solutions.
• Work with ICTD-RapidPro, RapidPro vendors, and country offices to ensure that CO RapidPro workspaces are optimized and compliant with U-Report privacy policy and UNICEF safeguarding guidelines.
• Maintain platform documentation and ensure all workflows are properly documented.
• Lead on the technical development and delivery of U-Report Global Coordinated actions and responses to emergencies and provide support to country office and regional office-led actions.
• Lead on data analytics functionality and actual data synthesis, analysis, and presentation for specific assigned purposes, overseeing the work of the Data Digital Communications Officer.
• Coordinate contributions to the data work, application, and integration within UNICEF's broader data work (with DAPM) and programme work (with PD and EMOPS).
• Increase U-Report's ability to evaluate trends in engagement and identify the positive and negative outcomes of changes in the U-Report platform.
• Contribute to developing business requirements for the required data architecture, infrastructure, warehousing, and dashboard development, with ICTD.
• Build, manage, and evaluate campaign performance using advanced RapidPro techniques.
• Support the Digital Communications Specialist with dissemination of U-Reports results delivered/accelerated by and with young people through UReport internally and externally.
• Support country office scale and delivery.
• Globally consolidate technical learnings from U-Report to inform capacity building.
• Document best practices and lessons learned in working with COs and developing training materials based on digital and data learnings.

• An advanced university degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Journalism, International Relations, International Development, or another related field is required.
• Or a first-level university degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant work experience in digital communications focused on young people, mobile messaging products, including chatbots, using data analysis, and data-driven strategy development is highly desired.
• Experience conducting statistical analysis of raw data, data sets utilizing multiple languages, and data sets collected from multiple differently designed surveys.
• Experience in data protection and user privacy, including development of and operational adherence to privacy policies and data protection laws.
• Experience working with RapidPro and proficiency with advanced features like expressions, variables, functions, and the API is highly desirable.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of stakeholders, and in working with coalitions.
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Knowledge of children's rights, public policy, international development, and humanitarian issues.
• Knowledge of child safeguarding and ethics of working with children and youth.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience in consensus building and in motivating cross-functional teams to meet ambitious project goals and timelines.
• Ability to work independently, has sound judgment, and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships.

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

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

• Builds and maintains partnerships.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Innovates and embraces change.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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

To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030.

At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background, or disabilities.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF's active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from programme countries are encouraged to apply.

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

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). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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.