Communication Specialist (External Relations - Support to SWA Leadership), P-4, NYHQ

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a global partnership of over 150country governments, private sector and civil society organizations, external support agencies, research and learning institutions and other development partners working together to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively. Partners work towards a common vision ofsanitation, water and hygiene for all, always and everywhere.

The Secretariat of the SWA global partnership is hosted by UNICEF at its Headquarters in New York. The SWA Secretariat is responsible for supporting the Steering Committee, Executive Chair and Chair, promoting the country-level engagement of partners, and organizing global High-level Meetings of finance and sector ministers.

**This post is being considered for out-posting to Geneva**

Purpose of the Position

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the WASH Senior Advisor (Coordinator for the SWA Secretariat), the CommunicationsSpecialist (External relations - Support to the SWA Leadership) will support the overall achievement of SWA's vision by providing support to the SWA Chair, Executive Chair and Steering Committee, and by helping to position SWA's work within the broader context of achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Communications Specialist will also work in close collaboration with the other members of the SWA Secretariat, and SWA partners, including ministers and heads of external support agencies.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

Expected result #1. Chair: The voice and influence of the SWA Chair are used strategically to help raise political will in favour of greater action on water, sanitation and hygiene, and to promote the contribution of the SWA global partnership.

Identify opportunities to use the voice of the Chair, in meetings, via media exposure including Op-eds, and social media.

Prepare briefing notes for the Chair including, as needed, speaking notes, video scripts and draft media and social media contributions.

Support the Executive Chair and Coordinator in verbal briefings with the Chair and her or his staff.

Provide feedback to the Chair's staff after events and activities.

Supervise the Events and Protocol Manager to ensure that all aspects of the Chair's travel are taken care of, to the satisfaction of the Chair and his or her staff.

Expected result #2. Executive Chair: The SWA Executive Chair is effectively supported to fulfill her or his responsibilities, including in the areas of fundraising and as Secretary to the Steering Committee.

ldentify opportunities to use the voice of the Executive Chair, in meetings, via media exposure including Op-eds, and social media.

Prepare briefing notes for the Executive Chair including, as needed, speaking notes, video scripts and draft media and social media contributions.

Support the Coordinator and other Secretariat staff in verbal briefings with the Executive Chair.

Work with the Executive Chair to ensure that the partnership is appropriately governed, that membership reflects the global ambitions of the partnership, and that its work is fully resourced.

Expected result #3. Steering Committee: The SWA Steering Committee provides strong, strategic leadership for the partnership.

Coordinate elections of new Steering Committee (SC) members.

Provide induction for new SC members.

Supervise the Events and Protocol Manager to set up SC meetings (virtual and face-to-face).

Support the Executive Chair and Coordinator in preparation of SC papers (agenda, background papers, draft decisions and minutes).

Support the Executive Chair to set up and conduct verbal briefings for SC members between meetings.

Support the Executive Chair and Coordinator in preparing regular updates to SC members.

Expected result #4. Positioning SWA: SWA is positioned in a way that allows the partnership to make a unique and tangible contribution to the achievement of water, sanitation and hygiene for all, always and everywhere.

Identify and articulate SWA's unique contribution to the achievement of the sanitation, water and hygiene-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Identify opportunities to achieve, and to communicate SWA's contribution.

In collaboration with the WASH specialist (SWA Support to the High-level political dialogue) promote SWA's involvement with partnerships in other sectors (e.g. nutrition, education, health).

Follow the work of relevant UN and other bodies and processes (e.g. UN DESA,AMCOW) and ensure integration and alignment of SWA's work.

Expected result #5. Work planning and reporting: Annual work plans and budgets are developed, and progress against them monitored regularly, forming the basis for effective reporting to the SWA leadership, donors and the Secretariat host, UNICEF.

Develop annual work plans and budgets for the SWA Secretariat to support achievement of the SWA Strategy.

Ensure alignment of the SWA workplan and budget with relevant UNICEF systems, and prepare reporting as needed.

Supervise the annual collection and analysis of data to monitor progress against the targets established in the SWA Results Framework.

Prepare regular updates and reports for the SWA Steering Committee and donors.

Expected result #6. Management: Human resources and financial resources are effectively managed and optimally used.

Line manage the Events and Protocol Manager.

As directed by the Coordinator, manage other Secretariat staff members and advisors to effectively and efficiently contribute to specific projects and activities.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Advanced degree in a related field such as Political Science, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Public Relations, EnvironmentalHealth, Public Health, Communications.

At least eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the UN or other international or national development organization, national government or the private sector.

Experience should include the design and implementation of annual workplans, and interaction with senior staff in government or development agencies.

Experience in the global health and development sphere, and/or on behalf of partnerships an advantage.

Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.Knowledge of an additional UN language (specifically French or Spanish) is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

Commitment

Diversity and Inclusion

Integrity

Core competencies

Communication - Level II

Working with People- Level II

Drive for Results- Level II

Functional Competencies

Leading and Supervising- Level II

Planning and Organizing- Level II

Relating and Networking- Level II

Formulating Strategies and Concepts- Level II

Persuading and Influencing- Level II

To view our competency framework, please clickhere.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

HOW TO APPLY:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=501786