National Consultancy- Media Relations Consultant at UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The media has a vital role in helping to bring children’s issues to the attention of the Government, stakeholders and general public and rally them to make further strides to secure the rights and development children in Kenya. The media also plays a critical role in influencing popular opinion, promoting awareness and increasing knowledge and changing behaviours. In addition, UNICEF and donors (such as USAID and Qatar/Education Above All and others) require visibility in the media and social media in order to document best practice, show results and secure ongoing funding.

To this end, UNICEF Kenya requires professional expertise to assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with key media houses – Standard and Nation Media Group – and relationships with key journalists and editors, in order to secure stories on UNICEF’s work and children’s issues in Kenya. This includes visibility for key donors to cover specific and time-bound projects and campaigns for children.

Scope of Work: 

Develop and implement partnerships with key media houses – Standard and Nation Media Group – and relationships with key journalists and editors, in order to secure stories on UNICEF’s work and children’s issues in Kenya. This includes visibility for key donors, projects and campaigns, public advocacy on six priority issues for children, and the drought response.

Specific tasks include:

1. Implement strategic partnerships with Standard Group and Nation Media Group to help promote priority issues for children. Negotiate a new partnership with a third media partner, based on the Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships Strategy analysis. Leverage these partnerships to provide visibility opportunities for specific donors as below.
2. Support the Health and SBC sections in developing and implementing a media and content plan for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination rollout (May to Dec 2023), including visibility for US Aid and partners.  This is a time-limited project funded by US Aid, ending on 31 December 2023. Support the SBC Section to raise visibility of the HPV vaccine during the period of the campaign (May to July 2023) through media stories from affected counties.
3. Support the Education and Child Protection teams on implementing a media and content plan on ECD and pre-primary education, including for refugee and vulnerable host community children, with visibility for the US Fund and partners. This includes a time limited project funded by UNICEF USA, ending on 31 August 2023.
4. Support the Education team on implementing a communication, media and content plan on the Out of School Children programme, including visibility for Qatar, Education Above All and Educate a Child. Coordinate with CAP colleagues on video and social media.  This includes a time limited project funded by Qatar/Education Above All, ending on 31 December 2023.
5. Draft press releases, Q&As, fact sheets and other media materials for UNICEF events, reports launches and other media moments. Write stories for the media and social media on priority issues and donor funded projects. Given the unpredictable nature of media work, these tasks will be assigned on an “as needed” basis and charged according to the consultant’s day rate, not to exceed the overall budget of the consultancy.
6. Plan media visits and accompany journalists to the field when needed, or work remotely with partners, to collect human interest stories on priority children’s issues. Pitch key content such as op-eds and press releases to the media, in line with UNICEF’s media partnership agreements. Mobilise media to attend launch events and press conferences.  Given the unpredictable nature of media work, these tasks will be assigned on an “as needed” basis and charged according to the consultant’s day rate, not to exceed the overall budget of the consultancy.
7. Respond to requests from journalists and arrange media interviews for the Representative, UNICEF staff and youth advocates. Organise media cafés as needed, to highlight current issues of importance to UNICEF.   Given the unpredictable nature of media work, these tasks will be assigned on an “as needed” basis and charged according to the consultant’s day rate. Conduct one training for UNICEF staff on handling media interviews and two with journalists from partner media houses on child rights reporting.
8. Conduct one training for UNICEF staff on handling media interviews and two with journalists from partner media houses on child rights reporting.

A well-connected individual with a strong network of senior media managers, editors and journalists is required. The person should also have experience of conducting media relations work for UNICEF, another UN agency or child-focused NGO in Kenya. Media work is by its nature often reactive and hard to predict in advance so the tasks above will be done on an “as-needed” basis, in consultation with the Communication Specialist and Chief of CAP. Tasks will be assigned in the above areas and invoiced monthly, based on an agreed day rate.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A Bachelors degree or an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of six years’ relevant professional work experience in communication, print, broadcast media or interactive digital media, including experience covering children’s issues for a child rights organization such as UNICEF.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required, Kiswahili would be an added advantage.

Specialist skills/Training: 

• Proven experience in developing communication strategies
• Proven experience in professional writing
• General ability to draft ideas and concepts, clearly and concisely, in written and oral form; specific skills in writing press releases and articles/stories for traditional and electronic media
• Proven ability to research, analyse, evaluate and synthesize information
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Solid media contacts and the knowledge of current theories and practices in communication research, and the role of mass media
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and have a strong understanding of UNICEF programmes
• Knowledge of computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications, specifically interactive digital media (video editing)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Competencies: 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online using the button below. As part of their application, candidates should provide:
1. A cover letter that specifies how you meet the desired competencies, technical background and experience (no more than 2 pages)
2. A short CV (no more than 4 pages)
3. Interested candidates to indicate availability and daily rate expressed in Kenya shillings to undertake the terms of reference. Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered.
4. Three (3) Referees.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.