OVERVIEW

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), invites applications from experienced communications professionals for the position of Communications Expert, based at UNICEF Malawi's country office in Lilongwe.

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to protect children's rights, improve their well-being, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive, learn, develop, and thrive.

The successful candidate will support UNICEF Malawi's Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) Section by developing strategic communication plans, leading advocacy campaigns, managing media relations, strengthening digital communications, and communicating programme results to partners and the public.

HOST ENTITY: UNICEF

JOB TYPE: National UN Volunteer – Expert

ASSIGNMENT MODALITY: Onsite

WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time

ASSIGNMENT DURATION: Six (6) months, with the possibility of extension

EXPECTED START DATE: 1st April, 2027

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL: SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Date Posted: Wednesday, 28th October, 2026

Application Deadline: Thursday, 12th November, 2026

POSITION: COMMUNICATIONS EXPERT

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Expert will provide strategic advice and hands-on leadership in communications, advocacy, public engagement, and digital media. The role will translate programme evidence and results into compelling stories, communication products, and campaigns that advance child rights, strengthen UNICEF's reputation, and demonstrate programme impact.

The successful candidate will coordinate communication activities across programme teams and external stakeholders, ensure editorial quality, manage reputational risks, and monitor communication performance to inform decision-making.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Hold a Master's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field.
Candidates with a first university degree and additional relevant professional experience may also be considered.
Have at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, media relations, digital communications, advocacy, campaigns, public relations, or a related field.
Demonstrate a proven track record of independently leading communication initiatives from strategy and planning through implementation, quality assurance, measurement, and reporting.
Have experience developing integrated communication strategies and workplans linked to organisational or programme results.
Possess a strong portfolio of writing and editing, including stories, press releases, briefs, speeches, talking points, website content, and social media copy.
Demonstrate experience leading public campaigns, media engagement, and digital content planning, with evidence of measurable reach, engagement, or influence.
Have experience advising senior colleagues and communicating complex information clearly to government, donors, media, partners, and the public.
Be experienced in using media monitoring, social media analytics, and performance data to refine communication strategies and report results.
Have sound knowledge of brand management, ethical storytelling, informed consent, child safeguarding, and reputational risk management.
Demonstrate experience coordinating multimedia production, events, external suppliers, and multiple stakeholders.
Have fluent English communication skills.

ADDED ADVANTAGE

Experience working with the United Nations, an international development organisation, or a child-rights organisation.
Familiarity with the Malawian media and communications environment.
Experience in digital and social media, public information, advocacy, information management, or related areas.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Professionalism: Sound judgement, discretion, political sensitivity, and the ability to manage information accurately and confidentially.
Integrity: Commitment to UN and UNICEF values and ethical standards.
Teamwork: Ability to work effectively across teams, cultures, and professional backgrounds.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Planning and Organisation: Ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple assignments, and meet deadlines.
Relationship Management: Ability to build effective partnerships and work with diverse stakeholders.
Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing work requirements and demanding conditions.
Continuous Learning: Initiative, adaptability, and commitment to professional development.
Commitment to volunteerism, solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance.
Commitment to UNICEF's mission, vision, and the UN Core Values.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Communication Planning and Storytelling

Develop and implement integrated communication plans aligned with UNICEF Malawi's programme priorities, advocacy objectives, partnership goals, and key events.
Translate programme evidence and results into compelling human-interest stories, feature articles, briefs, press releases, speeches, talking points, and social media content.
Provide editorial quality assurance to ensure communication products meet UNICEF's brand, accessibility, ethical storytelling, child-safeguarding, and visibility standards.

2. Digital and Social Media Management

Plan and develop editorial calendars and content for UNICEF Malawi's website and social media channels.
Ensure digital content is timely, audience-focused, and appropriate for each platform.
Use digital analytics and audience insights to improve content and strengthen engagement.
Coordinate multimedia production while ensuring accuracy, consent, accessibility, branding, and safeguarding standards.

3. Media Relations and Public Information

Develop proactive media engagement plans and maintain trusted relationships with journalists, editors, and media houses.
Identify newsworthy opportunities, pitch stories, coordinate interviews, and support media coverage of UNICEF priorities, results, events, and campaigns.
Prepare media advisories, press releases, key messages, question-and-answer briefs, and executive talking points.

4. Public Advocacy Campaigns

Lead the design, planning, implementation, and evaluation of integrated public advocacy campaigns on priority child-rights issues.
Develop campaign strategies, audience journeys, key messages, creative briefs, scripts, and communication materials in collaboration with programme teams and partners.
Coordinate engagement with government, media, youth, civil society, and private-sector stakeholders.
Establish measurable indicators, track campaign performance, and document results, lessons, and recommendations.

5. Events Management

Support the planning and execution of UNICEF events, including launches, press briefings, field missions, donor visits, community engagements, and high-level advocacy meetings.
Coordinate event logistics, branding, media presence, and documentation.
Prepare event briefs, talking points, speeches, and post-event communication materials.
Ensure events comply with UNICEF communication standards and visibility guidelines.

6. Coordination, Quality Assurance, and Results Management

Coordinate communication inputs across the CAP Section, programme teams, senior management, regional and headquarters colleagues, and external partners.
Manage communication workplans, production schedules, and assigned budgets.
Oversee external suppliers and consultants against agreed briefs, deliverables, and quality standards.
Establish monitoring frameworks and prepare concise performance reports demonstrating communication reach, engagement, influence, and contribution to programme results.
Build the communication capacity of colleagues and partners through coaching, guidance, templates, and constructive feedback.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver:

An agreed six-month communication workplan with clear audiences, deliverables, milestones, responsibilities, and performance indicators.
High-quality communication products delivered on time and in accordance with UNICEF standards.
Public advocacy campaigns with measurable audience reach, engagement, and documented results.
A consistent editorial calendar and improved content quality across UNICEF Malawi's digital channels.
Proactive media engagement and timely management of emerging reputational risks.
Effective communication support for major events, donor visits, and high-level engagements.
Monthly analytics and results reports to inform management decisions.
Integration of age, gender, and diversity perspectives throughout the assignment.
A final statement documenting achievements and capacities strengthened through volunteerism.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is a national UN Volunteer assignment based at UNICEF's premises in Lilongwe.
The assignment is expected to begin on 1st April, 2027, and last six (6) months, with the possibility of extension.
The successful candidate will be responsible for arranging their own accommodation and other living essentials.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities during recruitment and the assignment where required.
Appointment is subject to applicable UNICEF requirements, including any relevant duty-station vaccination requirements.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official United Nations Volunteers recruitment portal.

Application Link: Apply for Communications Expert – UNICEF Malawi

Closing Date: Thursday, 12th November, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to review the official application page for complete eligibility criteria, volunteer benefits and allowances, and application instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or recruitment fees. Applicants should not pay anyone to secure this opportunity.