Background and Justification

• Digital communication and social media have become essential tools for reaching diverse audiences and engaging stakeholders across Africa and beyond. These platforms are particularly effective in connecting with youth, raising awareness, and highlighting the urgent need to prioritize children and address the challenges they face. In today’s landscape of increased transparency and authenticity, social media is redefining how people interact and share information.
• Strategic digital content and engagement are key to reinforcing UNICEF’s leadership and credibility as a voice for and with children. To drive meaningful change, UNICEF ESARO must enhance its digital capabilities. As part of this effort, the office is seeking a Social Media Consultant with the expertise to produce engaging, creative content tailored to relevant platforms.
• The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen UNICEF’s digital presence and support its advocacy objectives on critical issues affecting children across the region.

Scope of Work

• Under the supervision of the Regional Chief of Communication, UNICEF ESARO, the consultant will regularly liaise with colleagues in Country Offices and Headquarters on digital content, style and storytelling. They will also support – and in some cases lead on - the creation and coordination of social media strategies and campaigns, monitoring and analysis, and moderation of platforms.
• The consultant may also be called on to provide technical assistance to Country Offices and ESARO staff in producing their own social media content and championing wider digital editorial processes.
• The consultant will be required to work with a variety of parties involved in the assignment and will need to develop positive working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and UNICEF staff.

The consultant will:

• Manage day-to-day activity on the UNICEF ESARO social media channels and support ESAR in the amplification of global and regional advocacy moments and campaigns on UNICEF Africa social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, including a quarterly analytical review.
• Support and provide a flow of content for the Regional Director’s social media channels.
• Provide digital capacity training to teams at ESAR as well Country offices, build training decks and documents for ESAR internal comms.

Support communication for regional advocacy priorities

• Support communication for regional humanitarian emergencies.
• Support visibility efforts for key donors, guided by partnerships/fundraising teams.
• Support on broader communications, for example filing of digital content such as photos and video, copy-editing and assistance on presentations.
• Work on researching and recruiting the next ESAR Regional Ambassador, as well as outreach to influencers in the region to further support the comms and advocacy work of the RO.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• University degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or a communication-related field; a university degree in a related field plus an additional two years of required relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least eight years of professional work experience in Communication, or a related field;
• Proven advocacy experience and good knowledge of development issues, especially children’ issues and UNICEF’s work;
• Excellent project management, analytical and writing skills;
• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of parts of Eastern and Southern Africa is a bonus.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.

Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Competencies that the consultant should have for the assignment:

• Builds and maintain partnerships
• Innovates and embraces change
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Works collaboratively with other
• Excellent English language skills
• Deadline: 19 Nov 2025