United States of America: Web Editorial Lead


The Digital Strategy Section (DSS) within the Division of Communication comprises Web, Social Media and Multimedia teams working together to create compelling public-facing content and to provide digital services within the organization. Through multiple platforms and in multiple languages, DSS draws attention to the many facets of UNICEF’s work, encouraging public support, participation and action, as well as ensuring greater transparency and accountability.


Web stories, blog entries, photo essays, Facebook posts, Twitter campaigns, and videos for distribution via UNICEF.org, YouTube, news media and other outlets and platforms – all are a part of our digital storytelling. By measuring and testing our efforts, we also use data to inform content and engagement choices.


DSS seeks to hire a communication specialist (editorial lead, UNICEF.org) to oversee the English-language Web editorial programme of unicef.org. The ideal candidate is at home in a digital environment and has a keen interest in emerging digital trends. Duties include curation of the UNICEF.org global home page, liaison with offices to identify content, planning of editorial production and coordination of editorial resources.


Purpose


The editorial lead is responsible for editorial oversight of both the home page and content published for the UNICEF global website, to advance UNICEF’s mandate and to profile and articulate the story of children’s rights and international development to achieve child rights.


The incumbent also contributes to the production of the full range of Web content published by DSS, in multiple languages, for use worldwide by opinion leaders, government officials, the media, National Committees and the general public, as well as staff at headquarters and in the field.


Responsibilities


Under the overall guidance of the communication specialist (head of Web), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:


Ensuring accuracy, clarity and consistency with UNICEF’s goals, strategies, messages and brand, including:


  • Staying up to date on UNICEF and United Nations policies, positions and sensitive issues and how to communicate them, including children’s and other human rights and the dignified representation of all people without bias, stigma or other discriminatory implications;

  • Editing for continuity, logical arrangement, readability, clarity of expression, internal consistency, appropriateness for audience, impact;

  • Copy-editing to verify grammar, syntax, accuracy, clarity, punctuation, spelling and conformity with established UNICEF style;

  • Ensuring that material adheres to established Web and editorial standards and conforms to UNICEF policy, practices and style, as well as Internet best practices;

  • Ensuring that phraseology and terminology are correct and that content is attributed appropriately.

Overall supervision and administration of Web editorial, including assistant Web editors and page producers:


  • Identification and vetting of content, both internal and external, for UNICEF.org;

  • Planning of editorial production;

  • Oversight of editorial calendar.

A creative and engaging UNICEF.org home page experience that is timely, relevant, diverse and in line with UNICEF priorities.


  • Close collaboration with colleagues across DSS, the Division of Communication, other headquarters programmes and around the world to guarantee optimum use of home page.

Contribution to the development and formulation of organization-wide Web guidelines, procedures and standards, including liaison with content developers, writers and technical specialists to develop the highest quality editorial content for internal and external publications, for a variety of media and formats.


Other duties, as required.


Qualifications


  • Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, international relations or other fields related to the work of UNICEF. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree

  • Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional editorial work experience at the national and international levels, of which at least two involve online media. United Nations experience is highly desirable

  • Proven skills in communication, networking, strategic thinking and ability to relate to traditional and social media

  • Strong interpersonal communication skills, good understanding of UNICEF and/or United Nations system, and of world affairs, current events and international development issues

  • Strong ability to write and edit external communication materials, ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form

  • Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of a second United Nations language is highly desirable

  • Deep experience using software and applications relevant to the position

  • Digital expertise, with advanced knowledge of trends and best practices in Internet and social media

  • Ability to distinguish among competing priorities and meet demand in a high-pressure environment

Core values and competencies


  • Core values (required): Commitment; diversity and inclusion; integrity

  • Core competencies (required): Communication [ III ]; working with people [ II ]; drive for results [ II ]

  • Functional competencies (required): Leading and supervising [ I ]; formulating strategies and concepts [ II ]; relating and networking [ II ]; persuading and influencing [ II ]; applying technical expertise [ II ]; entrepreneurial thinking [ II ]; technical knowledge [ II ]

Duration


The contract duration is 364 days (temporary appointment/TA).




How to apply:


Closing date is 17 February 2016.


Applications should be sent to: digitalstrategy@unicef.org. When sending to this mailbox, please ensure that the position you are applying for is quoted on the subject line. Applicants MUST submit their resume and cover letter, along with a signed and dated (not typed) UNICEF P-11.


The Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc.


Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.


In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.





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