Communication Specialist

**Job no**: 570650

**Contract type**: Fixed Term Appointment

**Duty Station**: Kuala Lumpur

**Level**: NO-3

**Location**: Malaysia

**Categories**: Communication

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, an advocate**

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.

Together with the Malaysian government and others who are truly passionate about child rights, UNICEF works in Malaysia to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow; to be healthy and happy; to live safely; and achieve their full potential.

With the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the 12th Malaysia plan as our guides, we endeavor to change minds, change policies, and in turn change the lives of all children in Malaysia.

**How can you make a difference?**

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication, you are accountable for coordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring public advocacy strategies and associated products and activities on on-going basis with public audiences and non-financial supporters, including volunteer engagement, with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support for UNICEF's mission, geared towards achieving advocacy impact in alignment with programme outcomes and overall advocacy priorities in the country office, and in a coordinated manner with regional and global communication and advocacy priorities.

**Summary of key functions/accountabilities**:

- **Public Advocacy strategy**:The Country Office has a clear public advocacy strategy and associated work plan to get children's issues into the public domain, influence attitudes, perceptions and behaviours, as well as strengthen and expand supporter engagement in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, enhance the organization's credibility and brand, and to support the achievement of UNICEF Malaysia advocacy and programmatic objectives set by the office.
- **Media relations**:The Country Office has a media strategy and engagement plan aligned with advocacy objectives, with success indicators and targets clearly defined in alignment with the public advocacy objectives and campaign to maximize partnership opportunities with national and international media.
- **Networking and partnerships**:The Country Office has a mapping and engagement plan for strategic partners key actors and stakeholders and invests in appropriate action. Proactive partnership with UN Country Communication team and the UN Country Team and counterparts keeping in view One UN-One Voice aspects of Public Advocacy.
- **Celebrities and special events**: The Country Office has a strong partnership with national ambassadors, celebrities, influencers, and other public figures in a systematic and strategic manner to jointly raise awareness of children's rights, mobilize public advocacy support for children and strengthen UNICEF's brand in Malaysia.
- **Global priorities and campaigns**:The Country Office has an effective process in place for integrating UNICEF's regional and global communications priorities into the Country Office level initiatives and campaigns, and disseminating these in a locally appropriate way in alignment with the CO's public advocacy initiatives.
- **Resource mobilization support**:Global and country level fund-raising activities are supported by effective advocacy and communication strategy and activities.
- **Management**:Human resources (the public advocacy and commu