Communication Specialist, NO3, FT at UNICEF

Job Title: Communication Specialist, NO3, FT at UNICEF

Date Posted: 15th January, 2026.

Expiry Date: 27 Jan 2026 11:55 PM

About the Job

Accountable for developing, leading, and implementing a comprehensive communication and advocacy strategy that supports UNICEF Nigeria’s mission, priorities, and programmes by building public engagement, strengthening the organization’s visibility, and promoting awareness and respect for the rights of children and women, especially through digital channels and social media.

The role ensures that communication efforts contribute to programme results by generating compelling, rights-based content and fostering partnerships that amplify impact at national, regional, and global levels.

A central function of this role is to position U-Report as UNICEF Nigeria’s flagship digital platform for adolescent and youth participation, civic engagement, and accountability.

The Communication Specialist will drive the scale-up, innovation, and meaningful integration of U-Report across sectors to ensure that young people’s voices influence policy, inform programme design, and contribute to real-time feedback mechanisms that support evidence-based decision-making.

The role will also ensure alignment with UNICEF’s global digital engagement strategies and support the broader UN Country Team’s youth engagement agenda.

Your Job Description

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Within the delegated authority and the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be accountable for all or assigned areas of the following major duties and end results.

Communication Strategy

Ensure that the Country Office has a clear communication strategy and associated work plan to support the country programme objectives, get children’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Duties & Tasks:

Lead the development and execution of social media strategies and content based on advocacy and communication objectives with paid advertising principles in mind, while working closely with programme sections, and country and regional offices to ensure social media objectives and tactics are integrated and aligned.
Contribute towards the strategy and execution of social media content related to special projects, UN observances, the SDGs, and child rights as needed.
Ensure UNICEF’s rights- and results-based programming approach is appropriately reflected in the communication strategy, work plan, and products.
Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Advisers and HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination.

Content Creation

Lead the planning, development, and implementation of dynamic, interactive, and meaningful social media content strategies for UNICEF’s country channels.
Lead on the writing of social media packs, crafting engaging content from key messages with paid marketing strategies in mind, as relevant, for all advocacy priority areas.
Demonstrate leadership and initiative in strategizing ways to effectively reach UNICEF’s target audiences through social media channels.
Work with programmes and resource mobilization section to support UNICEF’s approach to donor recognition and visibility on country digital channels.

Celebrities and Special Events

Ensure that the Country Office has a well-maintained and continually developed contact list of nationally known personalities who have been identified, engaged, and support UNICEF’s efforts.

Develop and implement digital influencer/Goodwill Ambassador engagement strategies and activations.
Develop, maintain, and update celebrities contact list/database.
Establish, document, review, and refine process of working with celebrities, including special events, media opportunities, field trips, etc.
Participate in global advocacy activities by planning visits of Goodwill Ambassadors, National Committee representatives, Executive Board members, including preparing press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets, media kits, and logistics.
Maintain close collaboration with Regional Communication Advisers and HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination.

Global Priorities and Campaigns

Support UNICEF global communications objectives through development of country-specific and local community materials and activities.
Develop and deploy country office communication capacity to gather/facilitate the content and coverage of relevant country efforts.
Ensure regular communication and coordination with relevant communication focal points in regional offices and headquarters divisions.

Resource Mobilization Support

Mobilize country office communication capacity to support/facilitate the gathering of content and coverage of relevant country efforts.
Mobilize resources for fund-raising support by regular communication and coordination with relevant communication focal points in regional offices and headquarters divisions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Provide technical support to ensure a set of communication performance indicators is identified, adjusted as necessary, and incorporated into annual work plans.
Conduct timely and accurate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure communications objectives are met and the strategy is effective.
Undertake lessons learned reviews of communication experiences and share findings with country, regional, and HQ colleagues.

Capacity Building and Support

Advise UNICEF management, colleagues, and staff on social media strategy and implications for policies and actions.
Support communication activities through knowledge management, information exchange, and capacity building for country communication teams and partners.
Develop and update best practice social media editorial guidelines and resources.

Manage U-Report

Manage and maintain the U-Report digital platform (RapidPro) ensuring smooth operation and technical integrity.
Collaborate with program sections to design and deploy regular U-Report polls and digital content.
Analyze incoming messages, feedback, and data to assess progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making.
Promote U-Report as UNICEF's flagship program for advocacy and youth engagement.
Support youth mobilization by developing campaigns to increase U-Report participation.
Build and maintain U-Report communities including leaders and platform users.
Support the Chief CAP in fostering partnerships with government counterparts, media outlets, and mobile operators.
Assist in proposal development, reporting, and other communication-related tasks for advocacy, adolescents, and youth.

Managing U-Report Territory Officers

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD- Communication Specialist Level 3 (003).pdf

The Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
A first University degree combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree in journalism, communications, external relations, public affairs, public relations, or corporate communications.

Work Experience

Five years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in communication, print, broadcast, and/or new media
International and national work experience (for IP) or field work experience (for NO)
Background/familiarity with Emergency situations

Language Proficiency

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. Get acquainted with our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF Competencies Required for This Post Are:

Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere. The UNICEF workforce must reflect the diversity of children, including race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, and minority status.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Flexible working arrangements are strongly encouraged.

Code of Conduct and Background Checks

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with UN and UNICEF standards (including sexual exploitation/abuse, harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination)
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including academic credentials and employment history
Selected candidates with disabilities may be asked to provide supporting documentation confidentially
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance and, for IP positions, visa issuance and any required inoculations, including COVID-19

Remarks

Article 101, paragraph 3 of the UN Charter emphasizes securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity
Diversity and inclusion are critical to delivering the best results for children
Government employees selected by UNICEF are normally required to resign from their positions prior to assignment
UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer without compensation if visa, medical clearance, or inoculation requirements are not met
No processing fees are charged at any stage of recruitment
All positions are advertised; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
This position is open for one year

Advertised: 13 Jan 2026 W. Central Africa Standard Time

Deadline: 27 Jan 2026 W. Central Africa Standard Time

Method of Application: Click on this link to get detailed information and apply