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, a champion 

UNICEF is the agency of the United Nations mandated to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF strives to establish children’s rights as international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF’s role is to mobilize political will and material resources to help countries ensure a “first call for children". UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children.

UNICEF's work is carried out in 190 countries through country programmes and National Committees. There are seven Regional Offices and 127 Country Offices worldwide, a research centre in Florence, a supply operation in Copenhagen and offices in Geneva, Tokyo and Brussels. UNICEF headquarters are in New York. UNICEF’s 33 National Committees raise funds and spread awareness about the organizations mission and work. For additional background on UNICEF, refer to our official website. Additional information can be found through our main social media platforms, namely Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Divisional Background & Rationale

The Division of Global Communications and Advocacy provides ....

Purpose

Develop a strategy and roadmap for GCA’s Podcast. The consultant will focus on:

Creating a strategic framework that defines the podcast’s unique value proposition – the “so what?” – mission, roadmap and key success indicators. Conducting in-depth research to identify relevant themes and topics that resonate with the intended target audience. Analysing and recommending target audiences, episode and content formats, distribution channels and promotional strategies. Drafting scripts and production notes for the first season of the podcast (8-10 episodes). Drafting content samples and posting strategy for the first season. Curating a list of potential speakers and guests who can enhance the podcast’s content. Developing promotional materials and strategies to effectively communicate the podcast's value to internal and external audiences. Monitoring and analysing performance to inform strategic adjustments. Creating a production roadmap outlining roles and skills required for ongoing production after the consultancy. Developing a pitch document for fundraising and sponsorship.

How can you make a difference? 

Ultimate purpose: The purpose of this consultancy is to establish a robust strategic direction for GCA’s Podcast – ensuring they effectively communicate UNICEF's mission and values while engaging and expanding its audience. The consultant's work will lay the groundwork for a successful launch of the podcast.

Need addressed: UNICEF requires a specialized approach to launch a podcast that stands out and engage its audience effectively. This consultancy aims to create a strategic foundation to ensure success and sustainability, emphasizing the delivery of valuable content that aligns with UNICEF's mission.

Current work, successes and challenges: This consultancy will build upon UNICEF's existing communication efforts and leverage its established audience for maximum strategic impact. While UNICEF has successfully engaged audiences through various media channels, the challenge lies in distinguishing the podcast in a saturated market and ensuring they deliver unique, mission-aligned value.

Scope of Work:

Develop a comprehensive podcast strategy document. Conduct thorough research on podcast themes, topics, audience engagement strategies and guests. Draft podcast scripts and production notes for the first season and calendar year. Develop and execute promotional strategies for the podcast and monitor and analyse their performance. Create a podcast production roadmap. Develop a podcast pitch document for fundraising.

Expected results: (measurable results)

Description of the assignment

This consultancy role offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the GCA podcast. The consultant will be instrumental in defining the mission and vision and delivering meaningful value to internal and external audiences through compelling content grounded in highly strategic thinking.

Duty Station

UNICEF NYHQ

Timeframe

Start date: August 1, 2024

End date: February 28, 2025   

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

Masters in communications, Media Studies, English, Journalism and/or any other academic field related to strong writing and communication skills. 3-5 years relevant work experience in the field of strategic communications is required. Expertise in creating strategic frameworks for podcasts defining the unique value proposition, mission, roadmap, and key success indicators. Ability to conduct in-depth research to identify relevant themes and topics that resonate with the intended podcast audience. Proficiency in analyzing and recommending podcast target audiences, episode and content formats, distribution channels, and promotional strategies. Experience in drafting scripts and production notes for podcast episodes. Skill in developing content samples and posting strategies for podcast episodes. Ability to curate a list of potential speakers and guests to enhance podcast content. Competence in creating promotional materials and strategies to effectively communicate the podcast's value to internal and external audiences. Expertise in monitoring and analyzing podcast performance to inform strategic adjustments. Skill in creating a production roadmap that outlines roles and skills required for ongoing production. Experience in developing pitch documents for fundraising and sponsorship opportunities. Fluency in English is required; proficiency in any other UN language is a plus.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

Application Guidance:

All applications must contain the following (incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration)

1. Fully completed TECHNICAL PROPOSAL  Technical Proposal Form - Updated 10 July 2023.xlsx

2. Fully completed FINANCIAL PROPOSAL FORM  Financial Proposal Form - Updated 10 July 2023.xlsx

3. Fully completed applicant online applicant profile

4. Cover letter

5. Resume

EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Technical Assessment Criteria (applications will be evaluated based on the following technical criteria):

Each Proposal will be evaluated against a weight allocation of 70% for the technical proposals and 30% for the financial proposal.  The total maximum obtainable is 100 points.  The minimum acceptable technical score is 49.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.