Background Information - Pakistan

Pakistan

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) aims to make significant strides in promoting sustainable development, aiding the federal and provincial government in SGDs attainment, and establishing itself as a reliable provider of efficient services for development programming around Climate Adaptation, Basic Service Delivery and Energy Efficiency. Operational since 1999, UNOPS Pakistan (Project Office) is part of Siri Lanka Multi-Country Office in the Asia Pacific Region.

UNOPS is hiring on behalf of UNICEF Pakistan:

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights if every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the lifecycle. Pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global; presence with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights - especially the most disadvantage. Background Information - Job-specific

Job organizational context:

UNICEF’s 2022–2025 Strategic Plan elevates advocacy and communication from support functions to strategic levers for systemic change, leveraging evidence, digital innovation, behavior change, and partnerships to champion the rights of every child. It underscores the importance of adolescent and youth engagement, both online and offline, recognizing young people as active agents of change whose voices drive more relevant, effective policies and programmes.

The Advocacy & Communication Section elevates UNICEF’s voice and the voices of children and youth, using digital platforms and strategic partnerships to engage and mobilize children, communities, governments, and stakeholders to influence policies, resource mobilization funding, and shape public discourse to realize the rights of every child in Pakistan.

Purpose for the job:

The Advocacy & Communication Section requires the expertise of an Advocacy & Communication Consultant to strengthen UNICEF’s voice and impact at provincial level through communication, advocacy and visibility efforts. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office in UNICEF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and with technical guidance from the Communication Specialist based in Islamabad, the consultant provide support with developing tailored communication strategies - leveraging digital media, activations, and youth-focused campaigns aligned with key UNICEF priorities. This role will elevate UNICEF Pakistan’s capacity to deliver compelling advocacy and visibility campaigns in the provinces, foster stronger partnerships and engagement with government, civil society, children and youth, and galvanize support for children’s rights.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office in UNICEF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with technical guidance from the Communication Specialist based in Islamabad, the consultant will be responsible for providing support to developing communication and advocacy strategies and compelling content including human interest stories, case studies, multimedia assets including photos and videos, social media posts for UNICEF Pakistan’s digital platforms. The consultant will document UNICEF’s work for children in Pakistan, showcasing project progress, impact, results, and lessons learned. The consultant will develop key messages, communication briefs, fact sheets, and knowledge products for donors and internal knowledge sharing. The consultant will also build capacity by training UNICEF and partner staff on storytelling techniques, branding, and effective communications. To ensure UNICEF and donor visibility, the consultant will monitor branding at project sites and recommend corrective actions when needed. During field missions, the consultant will support planning, logistics and content creation for donor visits, media, celebrities and influencers. In the event of a humanitarian emergency, the consultant will be responsible for preparing key messages that highlight the critical needs of children and families and UNICEF’s response, and working with implementing partners and staff to collect real-time stories and visuals from the field.

Communication and Advocacy Strategy

Provide support with the development and implementation of a provincial-level communication and advocacy strategy and work plan to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people in line with UNICEF’s programme objectives and goals. Conduct and incorporate a stakeholder analysis, audience analysis, core messages and communication channels to deliver the communication and advocacy objectives and unlock opportunities for children.

Monitor and evaluate the Communication and Advocacy strategy against established baselines to measure success; undertake analysis to refine and improve the strategy and activities’ effectiveness; prepare results and reports as needed. Content Development & Storytelling

Identify, research, and develop compelling human interest stories and case studies. Capture quotes from children, adolescents, and communities to amplify children’s voices and demonstrate the impact of UNICEF’s programmes.

Produce and edit high-quality photos and videos for UNICEF Pakistan’s website and social media channels, ensuring captions and signed consent forms and adherence to UNICEF’s ethical imagery guidelines and child safeguarding protocols.

Develop engaging multimedia assets - including video scripts, captions, and infographics - to demonstrate the impact of UNICEF’s work in the lives of children, adolescents and youth.

Work with vendors to supervise the planning, production and design of multimedia content (Videos, animations, infographics) and publications (reports, factsheets, brochures) as needed.

Create compelling social media content which highlights UNICEF’s advocacy priorities, programmatic interventions and partnerships, and amplify the voices of children and youth.

Document key events and activities related to programmes, advocacy and donor recognition. Project Documentation & Knowledge Management

Document project progress, results, and lessons learned through communication materials (briefs, fact sheets, knowledge products) that recognize the valuable contributions of UNICEF, donors and partners in the lives of children.

Produce communication and advocacy materials (briefs, fact sheets) to support donor reporting, programmes, and internal knowledge sharing.

Produce factsheets and briefing notes to support field missions from donors, media, celebrities and influencers. Capacity Building

Design and deliver workshops to strengthen the communication and advocacy skills of UNICEF staff and partner staff, focused on storytelling techniques, branding, development and design of fact sheets, photography, and digital storytelling best practices.

Donor Visibility, Branding Compliance and Reporting

Monitor UNICEF and donor branding at project field sites and ensure visibility and recognition standards are met.

Gather high-quality communication products including high resolution photos with credits, captions and consent for field reporting on donor grant commitments.

Field Missions & Stakeholder Engagement

Coordinate and support field missions for donors, media, celebrities, and influencers - preparing itineraries in coordination with programme colleagues, managing logistics, developing communication plans and capturing content to maximize outreach. Emergency Communication

Prepare clear key messages and communication products during emergencies (such as floods or disasters) highlighting the needs of children and UNICEF’s response. Work with implementing partners to capture realtime stories and visuals for rapid dissemination.
Youth Engagement

Initiate and support the participation of children and adolescent girls and boys in online/in‐person events and activities organized by UNICEF, including children living in marginalized communities and children with different abilities.

Develop and maintain relationships with children, adolescents and youth (girls and boys) who can support UNICEF’s advocacy.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: A first University Degree (Bachelor's) in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, International Development or any related field, including Marketing and Advertisement, Media Sciences or and other relevant field.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years relevant professional progressive work experience in mass media and/or digital communication, journalism or development communications is required.

Experience in international development organizations or the UN—including producing, curating, and monitoring creative mass and digital media content, managing advocacy events and campaigns (both online and in-person), and leading youth-focused engagement and advocacy initiatives, is a strong asset.
Language: Fluency in English, Urdu and Pashto is required with a focus on creative communication, especially writing stories and especially writing stories and producing content in these languages, e.g. scripts for visual productions etc.
Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Specialist Contract level: LICA 9 Contract duration: 12 Months

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Advocacy & Communication Consultant, Peshawar