Communication Officer (Polio), NOB, Islamabad, Pakistan, Temporary Appointment # 00134902 (364 days)

UNICEF; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,400,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A global child rights organization is looking for an experienced communications professional to develop strategies, maintain media relations, and lead crisis communications to support polio eradication efforts. The ideal candidate has strong media relations skills, fluency in English and Urdu, and a degree in Communications or a related field. This role includes opportunities for professional development and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Paid parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Support for persons with disabilities

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in communication or media relations.
• Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality media products.
• Proven ability to manage complex partnerships and engage stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and disseminate communication strategies for polio eradication.
• Maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Lead crisis communications and monitor media coverage.

Skills

Field work experience and background/familiarity with Emergency situations

Building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets

Planning and implementing digital campaigns

Strong analytical, presentation, and writing skills

Fluency in English and Urdu

Education

University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field

Job description

Overview

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a vaccine!

How can you make a difference?

• Communication strategy: Communication strategies, products and materials for the PEI and NEOC are developed, produced, and disseminated in a timely manner to support national communication strategies, campaigns, and priorities aimed at eradicating polio and promoting immunization. Efforts contribute to strengthening community trust, sustaining political commitment, and supporting resource mobilization.
• Media relations: Effective and timely support is provided in developing, drafting, and maintaining media materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets across all platforms - print, broadcast, digital, and social media - to communicate the progress, challenges, and impact of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts and UNICEF’s contribution within the PEI.
• Crisis Communications: Lead crisis communications efforts by effectively monitoring media coverage and promptly alerting senior management about news related to the program, workers, and issues that could affect the organization’s reputation, operational conduct, or the safety of frontline workers. Proactively address misinformation and disinformation in the media through rebuttals, corrections, promoting positive narratives and holding statements.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of communication activities are conducted to assess effectiveness, identify lessons learned, and ensure continuous improvement of communication strategies supporting polio eradication. Results, media analysis, and recommendations are prepared and shared with UNICEF, PEI and NEOC partners in a timely manner.
• Partnerships, advocacy, and special events: The contact network of journalists, influencers, partners, and institutions, including government, UN agencies, civil society, and community leaders, is maintained and expanded to strengthen advocacy and communication objectives for polio eradication. Support is provided for organizing events, campaigns, and partner engagements that promote vaccination, recognize frontline workers, and advance the goals of UNICEF and the PEI. Expand the base of polio partners to support polio eradication efforts at the national level.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two years of professional experience in communication, media relations (print, broadcast, and digital), or public information.

Skills:

• Field work experience and background/familiarity with Emergency situations is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets and journalists, pitching stories, and producing high-quality media products is mandatory.
• Proven ability to develop, manage, and maintain complex partnerships while effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders is mandatory.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing digital campaigns and developing impactful, audience-focused content for social media platforms is mandatory.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling, and contextually appropriate content in both English and Urdu is mandatory.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required.

Desirables:

• Field experience and familiarity with emergency contexts are considered assets.
• Prior experience working with the UN or international organizations, particularly in communication or public information, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or local language is an asset.

Competencies Required

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7 Works collaboratively with others

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

Child Safeguarding

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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.

Remarks

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.

Additional Information

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.