Advocacy and Communications Officer (NO-3), FT, #00133192, San Jose - Costa Rica

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Purpose

The Advocacy and Communication Specialist is responsible for leading and coordinating advocacy and communication initiatives that promote children's rights, influence policy and decision-making, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and increase public support for UNICEF’s mission. The position contributes to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of strategic advocacy and communication interventions aimed at achieving measurable results for children and adolescents. This role involves identifying advocacy opportunities through analysis of political, economic, and social trends, and designing and executing communication and public engagement initiatives to support these advocacy goals. The specialist will also lead and support digital communication campaigns, content creation, and audience engagement, while building and maintaining strong relationships with media outlets and journalists.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement advocacy strategies with clear objectives, outcomes, and theories of change. Identify advocacy opportunities through analysis of political, economic, and social trends. Design and execute communication and public engagement initiatives to support advocacy goals. Lead and support digital communication campaigns, content creation, and audience engagement. Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets and journalists. Monitor, evaluate, and communicate advocacy results using evidence and data-driven approaches. Manage projects, work plans, budgets, and resources effectively and transparently. Strengthen internal advocacy and communication capacities through coaching and knowledge sharing. Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and stakeholder networks to advance UNICEF priorities. Perform additional duties as required to support advocacy and communication objectives.

Work Experience

At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in advocacy, campaigning, and communications is required. Experience in advocacy strategy development, policy influence, communication tactics, stakeholder engagement, coalition building, digital and social media, media relations, project management, budget management, monitoring and evaluation, children’s rights, public policy, development, and humanitarian issues is required.

Skills

Advocacy strategy development, Policy influence, Communication tactics, Stakeholder engagement, Coalition building, Digital and social media, Media relations, Project management, Budget management, Monitoring and evaluation, Children's rights, Supervising people

Explore related opportunities