United States of America: Youth Movements Communication Project Manager

Rationale and context of the assignment:

The Digital Strategy Section (DSS) within the Division of Communication comprises Web, Social Media and Multimedia teams working together to create compelling public-facing content and to provide digital services within the organization. Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, DSS draws attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s work, encouraging public support, participation and action, as well as ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

DSS seeks to hire a consultant (Youth Movements Communication Project Manager), to work in the Social Media and Engagement Team, responsible for leading and linking UNICEF’s digital engagement and communication efforts with existing youth movements that UNICEF can support and amplify, positioning UNICEF as a key player and a convener on global and local levels.

This role is the Digital Strategy Section’s focal point for the Division of Communication’s efforts in planning and implementing UNICEF’s efforts in creating systems, building relationships and piloting initiatives connected with UNICEF’s engagement with youth movements. The consultant will lead on the research, analysis and knowledge management of UNICEF's youth engagement with social movements through convening a group of academics and thought leaders on the subject, looking into country-specific case-studies and analyzing trends for future engagement. Additional responsibilities include acquiring a robust grasp for the role of social media in social movements, understanding UNICEF's objectives and future engagement plans, identifying opportunities for the convergence of social movements and UNICEF's campaigns and coordinating the conceptualization and implementation of the youth movement strategies with other key stakeholders.

For more information, see the attached TERMS OF REFERENCE.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of a comprehensive “glocal” strategy for UNICEF’s engagement with youth movements; to be rolled out in 191 countries, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Liaise and collaborate with other departments including: Public Partnerships Division, Communication for Development, Adolescent development and participation, Innovation as well as country offices and national committees in order to ensure consensus in relation to the direction of the strategy.
• Ensure alignment between youth movement strategy and the Adolescent and Youth Engagement Strategy, as well as UNICEF’s organizational goals and priorities.
• Ensure close alignment with key digital youth engagement initiatives within the Division, including Voices of Youth as well as other Divisions.
• Guide and commission research aimed at data-driven analysis of case-studies in relation to movements, youth engagement and precedent case-studies.
• Translate strategic vision into executable plans, starting with 5-10 pilot countries and expanding into other countries and regions.
• Manage global implementation plans, develop timelines, and monitor resources and budget allocations.
• Plan the roll-out of engagement plans with local offices, in coordination with local stakeholders. Supervise implementation and adjust plans for scalability and adaptability in multiple contexts and environments.
• Work with country offices in order to identify opportunities for learning and documenting case studies/best practices.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation metrics through partnership with pioneering research/ academic institutions.
• Position UNICEF as the leading UN agency with respect to youth movements and engagement through efficient use of real-time data tools, market trends analysis and windows of exposure and opportunity.
• Establish a speaker series to highlight the most influential thinkers/ doers in the field and convene like-minded youth leaders and organizations, UN agencies, influential individuals and private sector companies under UNICEF’s banner.
• Seek and participate in relevant conferences, seminars and events in order to highlight UNICEF's role and work.
• Create a coalition of organizations, UN agencies, academic institutions and private sector companies in order to promote youth movements and positive engagement.
• Identify youth movements on global and local levels; actively reach out to youth leaders in communities to create partnerships.
• Build strong partnerships with relevant counterparts at UN agencies and other organizations.
• Facilitate conversations within UNICEF and between UNICEF and youth leaders as well as relevant supporting organizations.
• Design systems to disseminate knowledge, and provide networking opportunities for colleagues with the best in the field and coordinate implementation.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/ experience required:

• 5-7 years experience working with non-profits, international agencies or youth-oriented organizations.
• Experience managing complex projects, working with remote teams across time zones and cultures.
• Experience in agile project management, documentation and budget monitoring experience.
• Excellent skills in communication, strategic thinking, strategy planning and public speaking.
• Ability to develop partnerships with diverse stakeholders including youth organizations, government representatives and academics.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Experience in working for the UN, UNICEF or with International NGOs or global organisations a plus.
• Knowledge of current trends in youth movements, trends and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot and implement innovative approaches in the work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and encourage an environment that is fast moving, entrepreneurial and accountable.
• High command of English. Other languages such as Spanish, French and Arabic are a plus
• Advanced university degree in social science, marketing, journalism, international affairs or communications. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. mes

Applications should be sent to: digitalstrategy@unicef.org by 23 May 2016. When sending to this mailbox, please ensure that the position you are applying for, ‘**Youth Movements Communication Project Manager’**, is quoted on the subject line. Applicants MUST submit their resume along with a signed and dated (not typed) UNICEF P-11. Please send details of the daily fee/rate (in USD) you are willing to accept for the performance of this job. Please state whether negotiable or non-negotiable. To download P11: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/Personal_History_P11.doc

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. Non-U.S. citizens must be in possession of a G4 visa or become a US permanent resident/citizen before the contract begins.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.