How can you make a difference?
UNICEF’s Digital Inclusion (DI), part of the Digital Impact Division, supports governments and partners to improve equitable, affordable digital access for children, schools, and communities. The programme engages with regulators, operators, and public institutions to explore innovative approaches to connectivity, infrastructure governance, and digital public goods.
The Communication Team is a lean, multidisciplinary unit located in the Digital Inclusion section and supports the work of UNICEF’s Digital Impact Division. The team is led by a Communication and Advocacy Manager (P4) with three mid-level roles; Communication Specialist, Multi-media Specialist and Engagement Specialist. The team members operate as both a functional communication unit as well as individually being part of multiple matrixed project teams, which include Giga, Digital Inclusion and Digital Impact Division deliverables.
The Engagement Specialist will be responsible for strategizing, shaping, orchestrating the delivery of how Digital Inclusion engages with, is positioned in and represented within various ecosystems and events ranging across high-stakes/high-visibility opportunities, events we will host, and leveraging other’s platforms, events and engagement opportunities. The role encompasses the design and production of strategic convenings, industry sector events (tech, development, media, geographic etc.), donor-facing events, high-level roundtables, intimate engagement, curated engagement formats and frugal and creative engagements that directly advance programme objectives and resource mobilization goals.
The role is Geneva-based and requires regular in-office presence multiple days per week. Given the nature of the position, the team member is also expected to attend events and engagements that may fall outside standard office hours, and flexibility in working arrangements is therefore essential.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Strategic Engagement Design
External Conference Presence
Engagement Calendar & Planning
Stakeholder Engagement & CRM
AI-Assisted Preparation & Follow-up
Event Systems & Knowledge Management
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: <a href="https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/TransferRichTextFile.ashx?sData=UFUtVjMtbv51pAVbyl-EAFq563Iw01nqPQ4Y4YYHze_0SuTpewAhiblejMEwgJl9hNcEu3Q7pscnJl7DYmxY68-O2UgcH88fefmDd1heNHp5IdTGyry9C6z_shfPM_2CYegFpPfSNhbwaMO-1gZvyMNFtT358w%7e%7e">JD - Communication Specialist Engagement_P3</a>
Minimum requirements
<strong>Education</strong>: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Marketing, Public Relations/Communication, Business, Media Relations, Journalism, Social Science, Economics, Brand Management, International relations and any other related fields.<br>A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree)in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
<strong>Work Experience</strong>: 5 years of professional relevant experience in event strategy and production, stakeholder engagement, or strategic communications within international organizations, development finance, diplomatic, or senior corporate contexts, with strong understanding of multilateral and bilateral donor landscapes including the EU, World Bank, and bilateral development agencies is required.
<strong>Skills</strong>:
Demonstrated experience designing and producing small to medium-sized, high-stakes convenings - such as for under 50 participants - with senior-level attendance including ministerial, C-suite, or institutional leadership. Specific examples will be required during the assessment process.
Demonstrated event logistics and operations expertise. Experience managing end-to-end event logistics including venue coordination, catering, AV, and travel and accommodation for speakers, VIPs, and senior attendees, with ability to develop run-of-show documents, contingency plans, and accessible event design.
Working familiarity with AI tools for audience research, briefing preparation, post-event synthesis, and stakeholder mapping; consistent practical application is valued over technical proficiency. CRM proficiency for invitation management and systematic engagement tracking using platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or equivalent platforms.
<strong>Language Requirements</strong>: Fluency in English is required.
Desirables
<strong>Language</strong>: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Multilateral ecosystem knowledge (including Geneva-based entities) is a strong asset - Sound understanding of multilateral and bilateral donor decision-making processes, including the EU, World Bank, and bilateral development agencies. Familiarity with Geneva's international ecosystem including Permanent Missions, UN agencies, and foundations, with ability to navigate its diplomatic conventions.
Experience in high-level UN events and positioning people to participate in these including VIP protocol, stakeholder management, requirements and timelines for preparation, delivery and documentation, secretariat liaison, UN compliance, and security and crisis management protocols.
Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively and respectfully within multinational, multicultural work environments engaging effectively with colleagues at all levels, in alignment with UNICEF Core Values and Digital Impact Division & Digital Inclusion Values.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
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: <a href="https://www.unicef.org/careers/get-prepared#Values" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">UNICEF Values</a>
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships<br>(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness<br>(3) Drive to achieve results for impact<br>(4) Innovates and embraces change<br>(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity<br>(6) Thinks and acts strategically<br>(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with <a href="https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">our competency framework</a> and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage <a href="https://www.unicef.org/accessibility#contact" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Accessibility | UNICEF</a>. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female applicants are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found <a href="https://www.unicef.org/careers/unicef-job-categories" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.