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.
For every child, wellbeing
Purpose for the job :
Background :
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child; in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Through communication and partnerships, UNICEF South Africa works to strengthen advocacy and fundraising to achieve its programme priorities to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children. This includes in the areas of education, health and nutrition, child protection and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
The volunteer programme was established in 2018 and engages young people across Universities in South Africa to support advocacy, fundraising and awareness raising activities in support of UNICEF’s work for the most vulnerable children. The goal is to raise awareness of the UNICEF brand and child rights issues in the country, while at the same time contributing to social and behavior change.
UNICEF South Africa engages on integrated campaigns that bring together the power of our programme work with communication, advocacy and fundraising for maximum impact in improving the lives of children and young people across the country. The volunteer programme and coordination work across sectors is key to ensuring the most effective response possible. UNICEF South Africa is also the only Private Sector Fundraising (PSFR) Country Office on the African continent.
Key responsibilities of the Volunteer Programme and Campaigns Specialist
The selected candidate will :
- Design, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate activities related to the volunteer programme and select campaigns on key priorities. This work will support the programme, advocacy and fundraising priorities of the office to improve the lives of children ;
- Strengthen and manage volunteering networks and campaigns to help promote child rights and support the country office to build and/or expand relations with a range of partners ;
- Identify opportunities and strengthen the involvement of volunteers on priority issues to leverage the voices of volunteers in support of the most vulnerable children ;
- Collaborate and coordinate with UNICEF South Africa programme sections (education, child protection, health, WASH) to maximize the use of volunteers and to engage on key campaign work. This includes a focus on the Generation Unlimited partnership that aims to improve the education and advancement of young people’s rights to education, protection, and skills development, working with Government and multiple other partners ;
- Collaborate and coordinate with UNICEF South Africa’s external partners as necessary on volunteer and campaign work ;
- Provide professional technical assistance and support for the design, planning and implementation, management and evaluation of volunteer projects and campaigns, including progress reporting, in support of the achievement of country programme results ;
- Contribute to the broader work of the communication and partnerships section and play an active role in UNICEF’s internal communication work ;
- Work with UNICEF East and Southern Africa regional office and UNICEF HQ to promote the role of South Africa’s volunteers at a regional and global level, as well as to coordinate on key priority moments.
Qualifications :
Education : A University degree in the social / behavioral sciences (communication, marketing, public health), international relations or in a related technical field. Knowledge in HRBA, Results-based management, Child Rights, gender issues, child participation and strategic partnerships an asset.
Work Experience :
- At least two years practical professional work experience in programme design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to networking and partnerships for child rights ;
- Proven advocacy, communication, social mobilization and partnerships work, including experience of working with government and civil society groups is necessary ;
- Work experience with an international organization or within the UN is an asset ;
- Demonstratable field work experience is needed ;
- Background/familiarity with emergency situations is an asset ;
- Computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools and other office technology such as Microsoft word, excel, to create documentation, exchange and archive e-mail, and maintain electronic filing systems ;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision. Ability to organize own and others work, set priorities and meet deadlines. Ability to organize meetings and events. Ability to handle work quickly and accurately under time constraints.
Language Proficiency : Proficiency in English both speaking and writing is required. Knowledge of any other national languages in South Africa is an asset.
Administrative Issues :
The staff member will report to the Chief of Communication and Partnerships. The staff member will not be required to be in the UNICEF South Africa office (Pretoria) full-time but attendance in office is necessary, according to COVID-19 safety measures, on certain days. Field travel may also be necessary according to COVID-19 safety measures. These can be discussed with HR and the Section Chief on recruitment.
How to Apply :
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link : https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=536278 by 21 December 2020.
This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica UN Job List, UN Jobs.
We invite you to watch a short video on the system on how to apply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePgDIQ9RVYs&feature=youtu.be
If you have not been contacted within 1.5 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The functional competencies required for this post are…
View our competency framework at : UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.