Communication Officer (Multimedia), NOB, ESARO Johannesburg at UNICEF

Purpose for the job:

• The purpose of the post is to produce, disseminate and manage flow and quality of multimedia content to engage national, regional and global news media on child rights issues, and support regional communication and advocacy campaigns, partnership and resource mobilization efforts. The incumbent will also be expected to provide a full scope of visual storytelling skills in the field such as scriptwriting, photography, videography and video editing; as well as supervising flow and quality of multimedia content provided by freelance creators. The position is based in Johannesburg, South Africa and part of the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Multimedia (photo, video, editing) Production
• Multimedia Talent Management
• Media Relations
• Communication Strategy
• Monitoring and Evaluation

Multimedia (photo, video, editing) Production

• Produce and/or repurpose multimedia content that will drive news media and social media engagement during a sudden onset emergency or on advocacy priorities (social media content e.g., video editing, packaging of news video broll, photography and captioning, graphic layout, etc.)
• When necessary, film UNICEF’s work in the field and edit these into powerful and compelling video stories for news media and social media channels.
• When necessary, photograph UNICEF’s work in the field and compile a selection of compelling photographs and captions that can be used for news and social media.
• Package content and upload to WeShare database, or on social media channels or website as needed.
• In collaboration for DGCA, PFP and national committees, support global campaigns by providing additional multimedia content, localizing global assets and regional dissemination.
• Support country and regional teams in the area of multimedia production as needed.
• Advise on trends relating to latest software and audio/visual equipment and ensure available equipment is well-maintained.

Multimedia Talent Management

• Identify, develop and nurture professional relationships with external creative talents and content creators to support UNICEF’s mission in delivering high-quality multimedia content.
• Assist in developing terms of refence (setting deliverable, requirements and production timeline) and Vendor contracting procedures to bring in additional freelance multimedia capacity to the region.
• In collaboration with country team, manage logistics, schedule and flow of content being produced by freelance creators (Vendors) and ensure that final content is made available through various external and inhouse platforms.
• Provide technical advice to country teams to ensure quality content and coverage of relevant country efforts is gathered and support to identify effective relevant activities and results to be documented for news and social media audiences.
• Ensure quality of outputs in all content products, alignment with UNICEF brand, global standards and engagement objectives.
• Streamline workflow with freelance creators (Vendors) and ensure archiving is done and uploaded onto WeShare.

Media relations

• Maintain contact and cultivate professional relationships with local, regional and global news organizations based in Johannesburg and in the broader region and maintain up-to-date contact database.
• In collaboration with country teams, identify news and feature story ideas and other media opportunities to engage print, TV, radio, web journalists and contribute to increase news coverage on child rights issues in the region.
• When necessary, develop, draft, edit and disseminate communication material for journalists, including press release, news note, human interest stories, briefing notes, video b-rolls, photo captions, video shot lists, etc.
• Ensure timely and accurate dissemination of news materials to the media, UNICEF’s regional and global network offices, and other appropriate audiences.
• Develop and pitch news and feature ideas and facilitate coverage of child rights issues and UNICEF operations in the region for journalist deployed to the field in print, broadcast, online and digital media.
• In collaboration for DGCA and PFP, support global media outreach efforts by providing additional regional content and dissemination.
• When necessary, provide on the ground support to facilitate news media project site visits, facilitating photo and video coverage and utilizing both web-based and traditional media as appropriate.

Communication strategy

• Contribute to the development of a regional communication strategy and workplans to build political and moral support for the cause of children.
• Implement specific tasks and activities of the regional communication strategy and accountable for the execution of allocated budget as per rules and regulations.
• Produce or source communication material and ensure quality control before dissemination (e.g. social media, web, and multimedia content)
• The production of communication products and materials are timely executed and followed up to support country communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities, and to support resource mobilization as set out in the work plan.
• Contribute to nurture relationships with celebrities and partners and assist in achieving advocacy and communication objectives to further UNICEF’s goal and missions.
• Contribute to support major regional and global communication campaigns and events by ensuring highquality multimedia coverage for global audience and assist with other communication tasks

Monitoring and evaluation

• Regular monitoring and evaluation activities are undertaken according to the work plan to ensure maximum impact and continuous improvement of regional communication efforts.
• Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of multimedia materials. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.)
• Monitor public perception of UNICEF in the region and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive sentiment for the organization.
• Assist in providing feedback on the use and appropriateness of country, regional and global multimedia content and other communication material such as publications, reports, briefings, etc.
• Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.

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

• A first-level university degree in journalism, film making, photography, public relations, communications, or a related field.

Experience

• Two years practical professional work experience in media or communication, as a multimedia specialist filming and editing content as well as taking high-quality photographs.
• Experience producing a range of high-quality content for news, corporate, social media is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience working with industry-standard software such as Adobe Premiere, Photoshop is required.
• Experience working in emergency settings is an asset.
• Experience working with a UN agency, NGOs is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

• UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)