Advocacy Specialist, NO-3, Temporary Position, Somalia, 364 days, Mogadiscio, Somalia, #00136846

Apply nowJob no: 592124
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Mogadishu
Level: NO-3
Location: Somalia
Categories: Communication

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, 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.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference?

The Advocacy Specialist is accountable for coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children. This includes supporting the implementation of national advocacy strategies.

The Advocacy Specialist will report to the Chief of Communication (Level 4) and will work closely with programme sections and partners to support advocacy, communication and visibility of UNICEF’s work for children across priority programme areas. The position will also support coordination and management of communication and advocacy grants where required.

1. Advocacy strategy development:

• Provide technical support in developing a robust advocacy strategy, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change. Analyze national political, economic and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.
• Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.

1. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate the implementation of the advocacy strategy and plan, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

1. Advocacy M&E:

• Establish baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities, and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of advocacy M&E results on a regular basis.

1. Project and Budget Management:

• Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks. Ensure effectiveness and transparent use of budget and resources.

1. Advocacy Capacity Building:

• Contribute to building stakeholder capacities in advocacy, through coaching, training and sharing of advocacy expertise.

1. Stakeholder engagement:

• Identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.
• Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.

1. Communication and Media Support

• Support the Communication team in developing and disseminating communication products including human interest stories, multimedia materials, advocacy briefs and social media content highlighting UNICEF’s work for children.
• Contribute to digital communication and visibility efforts including social media engagement, campaigns and online advocacy initiatives when required.
• Provide communication and advocacy support to programme sections as needed, ensuring consistent messaging across UNICEF priorities.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Advocacy and Communication Specialist (1).docx

Minimum requirements

1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Communications, Public Health, Social Science, International Development, Communications, Public Health, Social Sciences, International Development and any other related fields.A Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree)in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
2. Work Experience: 5 years of relevant work experience in Communication, Media, Monitoring and Evaluation, Advocacy Strategy Development, Advocacy Strategy Implementation, Team Building, Advocacy Capacity Building, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication and Media Support and any other related fields.
3. Skills: Accountability, Advocacy, Communication, Coordination, Monitoring, Partnerships
4. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables

1. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language (Somali) is an asset. 
2. Networking, Creativity, Campaigns, Digital, Messaging
3. Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Advertised: 03 Apr 2026 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 10 Apr 2026 E. Africa Standard Time