General
Description of assignment title: Communication Specialist(Field Content Gathering)
Assignment country: Afghanistan
Duty stations: Kabul
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 08/01/2026
Duration: 12 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education
Host entity: UNICEF
Modality: Onsite
Type: International
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives:
- The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights ofevery child, everywhere, in everything the organization does— in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equitystrategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded childrenand families, translates this commitment to children's rights intoaction. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have anopportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential,without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that anychild has an unequal chance in life — in its social,political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her orhis rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investingin the health, education and protection of a society's mostdisadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not onlywill give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potentialbut also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries.This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It acceleratesprogress towards realizing the human rights of all children, whichis the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Conventionon the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitabledevelopment of nations.
Context:
- Under UNICEF's mandate to promote the rights and well-being ofevery child, communication plays a critical role in making thesituation of children visible, documenting results, and mobilisingsupport for programmes that protect and advance children's rightsin Afghanistan. In a complex and rapidly changing operatingenvironment, high-quality, ethical and timely field content isessential to show how UNICEF and partners are reaching children andfamilies, particularly in hard-to-reach, emergency-affected andunderserved areas.
- Field missions and story gathering are central to the work ofthe Communication and Advocacy section. The section leads theplanning, production and dissemination of human-interest stories,photographs, videos, social media content, web stories, donorvisibility materials and other communication products that explainUNICEF's work, amplify children's voices, and demonstrate resultsfor children.
- To support these efforts, UNICEF Afghanistan is seeking a UNVolunteer to join the Communication and Advocacy team. The UNV willhave a strong field orientation, with a primary focus on planning,coordinating and carrying out content-gathering missions acrossAfghanistan.
- The role will include identifying compelling storyopportunities, preparing mission plans and interview guides,coordinating multimedia production, gathering accurate andchild-sensitive content, and ensuring that all materials areconsent-based and aligned with UNICEF communication standards,safeguarding principles and office priorities.
Task description:
- Plan, coordinate and undertake regular fieldcontent-gathering missions to UNICEF field offices, outposts andprogramme locations, in line with office priorities, securityguidance and operational feasibility.
- Develop mission plans and content packages, coordinatecontent gathering by photographers, videographers and fieldcolleagues, including preparation of briefs, mission schedules,interview guidance, quality control of captions and stories, andfollow-up on missing information.
- Gather, draft and produce high-quality human-intereststories, photo essays, captions, web stories, short-form videoconcepts, social media content and donor visibility materials thatdocument UNICEF-supported results for children and families.
- Work closely with programme sections and field offices toidentify strong story leads, verify technical details, documentresults, secure clearances, and ensure that produced contentreflects UNICEF's programme priorities and the realities ofcommunities served.
- Contribute to the section's editorial planning by trackingupcoming field opportunities, maintaining a pipeline of stories andmultimedia products, and supporting the timely dissemination ofcontent across UNICEF channels and with regional and globalteams.
- Monitor donor visibility efforts and performance and supportthe identification of areas for improvement to ensure quality,strategic prioritization (e.g., major donors), and alignment withoffice-wide communication priorities.
- Facilitate internal communication on donor recognition,working with programme sections to ensure awareness of andcompliance with donor visibility requirements. Track follow-up onallocation emails and contribute to internal coordination platformssuch as programme and management meetings.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a countryother than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:
- 3 years
Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, Literature, Marketing,Journalism, Advertising, Creative/Technical Writing, Public Health,Social Sciences, or a related field. A diploma in a relevant fieldwith experience can be considered in lieu of the degree.
Competencies and values:
- (If competency‑based interviews are used,list only those competencies that are directly relevant to theassignment, using the host entity's competency framework whereapplicable. The list below is only indicative.)
- Accountability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Judgement and decision-making
- Planning and organising
- Professionalism
- Self-management
Skills and experience:
- 3 years of professional work experience at the internationallevel in communication, partnerships, resource mobilization,fundraising, or other relevant programmes.
- Experience working with multi-lateral or bilateral donors isas asset, as well as grant management skills; drafting, editing andproof-reading skills; production of newsletters and communicationsproducts; experience working in the UN or other internationaldevelopment organizations.
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting,formulation, reporting skills.
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production andediting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and sociallysensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with arange of partners, including grassroots community members,religious and youth organizations, and authorities at differentlevels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications fordevelopment.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in achallenging environment; ability to work effectively in amulticultural team of international and national personnel.
- Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision;ability to work with tight deadlines.
Area(s) of expertise:
- Communication, advocacy, public information
Driving license:
Other information
