Readvertisement: Communication Officer (Polio), (NO-2), Fixed Term, Karachi, Pakistan (Open to [...]

UNICEF; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international organization in Islamabad is seeking a Communication Officer (Polio) to play a vital role in supporting the Polio Eradication Program. The successful candidate will manage media relations, enhance public awareness, and promote vaccination campaigns effectively. This position requires a university degree in a relevant field and at least two years of professional experience in communication. Fluency in English and Urdu is essential, with additional languages being an asset.

Benefits

Diverse opportunities for professional development

Attractive compensation and benefits package

Paid parental leave

Breastfeeding breaks

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years practical professional work experience in communication, media or digital media.
• Strong analytical and writing skills in both English and Urdu.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and implementation of media and communications strategy.
• Manage media relations and social media engagement.
• Enhance public awareness and counter misinformation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills in English and Urdu

Media relations

Social media engagement

Education

University degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences

Job description

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.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose Of The Job

The Communication Officer (Polio) will play a vital role in supporting the Polio Eradication Program by supporting the planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating of the comprehensive media and communications strategy at the provincial level. The Communication Officer (Polio) will support media relations, social media engagement, and managing print and electronic media to enhance public awareness, counter misinformation, and promote vaccination campaigns effectively working with the provincial emergency operations centre for polio.

Summary of Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks

• Communication materials.
• Media relations.
• Advocacy, Communications & Media Support to Polio eradication.
• Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Celebrities, partners and special events.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Communication Officer POLIO KHI.pdf

Education

• University degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Minimum of two years practical professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media.
• Strong analytical and writing skills in both English and Urdu.

Language Requirements

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

Desirables

• Experience working in dynamic and complex partnerships would be highly desirable.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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.

The 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

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks: This vacancy announcement is open to internal staff members (staff holding Permanent, Continuing, or Fixed Term contracts) and other UNICEF personnel (TAs, UNVs, and other personnel); however, priority will be given to staff in abolished posts and internal staff members.

Note

• The post has been re‑advertised; candidates who have already applied do not need to reapply.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross‑cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Verbal feedback shall be provided to unsuccessful internal candidates upon the completion of the recruitment process.

Please note that the flexibility clause shall not be applied to external applicants, including TAs and affiliate staff.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.