A Career Opportunity

UNICEF is the world’s farthest-reaching humanitarian organization for children. Across 190 countries and territories, and in the world’s toughest places, we work day in and day out to help children survive. To defend their rights. To keep them protected, healthy and educated. To give them a fair chance to fulfil their potential. Our work for every child relies entirely on voluntary support, including donations from generous Canadians.

Communication Manager, Advocacy

(Permanent; Full time; Flexible-Hybrid; based in Toronto or Montreal)

The Communication Manager, Advocacy is responsible for designing and managing integrated communication and outreach strategies in support of UNICEF Canada’s advocacy and policy efforts to promote the rights of children and youth in Canada and globally. Reporting to the Director of Communication, the Communication Manager, Advocacy works closely with the Domestic Policy & Programs team and the International Policy & Program teams in advancing UNICEF Canada’s domestic and international advocacy priorities through campaigns, events and communication assets. By engaging relevant audiences, the Communication Manager, Advocacy contributes to positioning UNICEF as a leading advocate for child rights.

The Communication Manager, Advocacy is a well-rounded communication professional who works with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that UNICEF’s policy and advocacy efforts reach and engage supporters, influencers, decision-makers and children/youth across Canada.

The responsibilities of the position will include:

Strategy & Planning

  • Lead the design and roll-out of communication and outreach strategies to advance UNICEF Canada’s domestic and international advocacy and policy goals.
  • Actively participate in the planning and strategic processes of the Domestic Policy & Programs team and the International Policy & Programs team, ensuring communication strategies are effectively integrated into their advocacy efforts.
  • Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of communication initiatives to optimize strategies and ensure alignment with advocacy goals.
  • Regularly report on performance metrics and make recommendations for improvements to enhance outreach and engagement

Copywriting, Editing & Content

  • Write and edit copy for a range of public-facing assets such as press releases, blogs, op-eds, videos, website content and newsletters in support of UNICEF’s domestic and international advocacy – and coordinate translation, branding and business solutions as needed.
  • Support the editing and quality assurance of various policy-oriented publications such as policy briefs, reports, key messages, backgrounders/FAQs following guidance provided by the Program & Policy teams.

Media outreach & partnerships

  • Craft and distribute media materials to relevant news organizations and maintain media contacts relevant to domestic and international policy issues.
  • Cultivate and expand partnerships with local and global media outlets and identify ways to increase exposure

Stakeholder & Knowledge Management

  • Identify ways to engage and mobilize supporters, influencers, decision-makers and children/youth across Canada in support of UNICEF’s thought leadership in Canada on priority advocacy issues such as health, nutrition, education, protection and climate change.
  • Cultivate and expand partnerships with local and global media outlets and identify ways to increase exposure. Support the communication needs of UNICEF’s youth programs, including the Youth Advocacy Summit and related youth-led initiatives to increase reach and visibility.
  • Ensure timely dissemination of information/content to relevant internal and external partners such as the media, NGOs, global UNICEF networks and relevant audiences. 
  • Actively monitor the policy, humanitarian and political landscape and maintain up-to-date knowledge of UNICEF’s overall communication and advocacy policies.

Qualifications, Competencies & Skills

  • A university degree in communications, journalism, public advocacy or related field or equivalent work experience.  
  • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in communication/public advocacy-related field.
  • Understanding of the media landscape in Canada, current affairs and political acuity.
  • Fully bilingual in English and French oral, written and comprehension strongly preferred. 
  • Excellent copywriting and editing skills in English. 
  • Demonstrated success designing, executing and measuring successful communications strategies. 
  • Demonstrated abilities to produce content on a number of diverse social issues, especially linked to children’s rights.
  • Demonstrated and successful social media planning and activation.  
  • Demonstrated experience with media positioning of complex and controversial social issues.

Salary Range: $62,000 to $71,500 per year.

What we offer

UNICEF Canada strongly supports workplace wellness and offers the following benefits:

  • Extended Health and Dental Benefits with Health Care Spending Account
  • Life insurance and AD&D
  • Short Term Disability (STD) 
  • Long Term Disability (LTD) 
  • Employer contributions (5%) to Group Pension plan
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • 2 paid personal days.
  • 10 paid sick days
  • Maternity and Parental leave top-up
  • 3 weeks of annual leave (vacation time increases with time served)
  • One additional day of vacation on the anniversary of each year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
  • Staff Appreciation Days.
  • Currently offering Flexible-Hybrid work option. 
  • Learning and Development Opportunities.
  • Discounted rate for a GoodLife membership.

For consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@unicef.ca by Aug 9th, 2024. Please attach your cover letter (including salary expectations) and resume as one document and reference “Communication Manager, Advocacy” clearly in the subject heading.

UNICEF Canada sincerely thanks all applicants for their expressed interest in this opportunity, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Consistent with our Child Safeguarding Policy, the successful candidate must receive clearance by a police background check, including a vulnerable sector screen.

UNICEF Canada is an inclusive workplace and is committed to championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the position.