Digital Communication Expert

Host entity: UNICEF

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 24/08/2026

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund

Assignment context

Under the supervision of the Communication Specialist, the Digital Communication Expert will provide professional support in delivering effective digital outreach. The objective is to promote awareness, understanding, support and respect for children’s and women’s rights. The incumbent will be accountable for managing content across social media channels, monitoring performance, and contributing to the design and implementation of digital communication campaigns, including online media plans targeting diverse stakeholders.

Supervision, induction and duty of care of UN Volunteers

UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to:
• Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment;
• Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity;
• Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal;
• Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address;
• Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning;
• Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations;
• Leave management;
• DSA for official travel, when applicable;
• All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Communication Specialist, the UN Volunteer Digital Communication Expert will:

Strategy implementation and campaigns
1. Develop and implement a digital communication strategy aligned with UNICEF’s communication and advocacy priorities in the country.
2. Monitor current events, public opinion, and media trends; advise management on appropriate digital media responses.
3.Analyse the implementation and impact of UNICEF Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) social media presence; produce detailed monthly reports using online monitoring tools.
4.Lead web content development and integration for UNICEF campaigns to support advocacy goals.

Content creation and outreach
1. Manage UNICEF DRC’s digital media platforms and strengthen online community engagement.
2. Ensure all content is aligned with UNICEF’s voice, messaging, and strategic direction, with attention to sensitive issues and factual accuracy.
3. Coordinate social media communication and build relationships with key partners, donors, ambassadors, and influencers to maximize visibility and traffic.
4. Collaborate with the Division of Global Communication and Advocacy (DGCA), Programme, Country, and Regional colleagues to create compelling content, landing pages, and microsites for campaigns, partnerships, reports, and critical initiatives.

Capacity building and support
1. Contribute to the development and application of digital communication guidelines, procedures, and governance standards.
2. Provide technical support and training to Country Office and Programme colleagues to ensure a consistent stream of content from the field, especially during emergencies (epidemics, natural disasters, conflicts).
3. Support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen digital communication skills across teams.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers (UNV) programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs
• As an active UNICEF DRC team member, provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support to UNICEF DRC and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of duties, including:
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, including reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

Skills and experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in digital communication and social media management.
• Strong skills in content creation, digital analytics, and campaign management.
• Advanced skills in digital storytelling, with excellent writing and editing skills in French and English.
• Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues, and children’s rights.
• Experience working in developing countries and/or familiarity with emergency contexts.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF DRC; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF DRC procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF DRC in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions

Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo offers a dynamic environment with relatively developed access to essential services. The city has international air connections, although travel can sometimes be affected by logistical constraints. The climate is tropical, alternating between dry and rainy seasons.
The cost of living can be high for certain imported goods, but local markets offer alternatives. Housing options are available, ranging from apartments to secure residences. Access to electricity and water may be irregular in some areas, requiring alternative solutions (generators, water reserves).
Medical infrastructure exists, with some quality private clinics, but it is recommended to have adequate health insurance. Banking services and telecommunications are available, with mobile and internet coverage steadily improving.
Culturally, Kinshasa is a rich and vibrant city where respect for social and cultural norms is important, particularly regarding dress code and public behavior.
DRC is a unique country and is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Conditions of Service
The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.
A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).
The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,602. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.
In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.