Background/ Purpose of Assignment

Japan is one of UNICEF’s most important partners, ranking among the largest government contributors to UNICEF. The UNICEF Asia-Pacific Pillar Office (Public Partnership Division) plays a central role in strengthening partnerships with the Government of Japan (GoJ), including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Parliamentarians, and other key institutions. As Japan continues to advance its global leadership in development cooperation, effective, high-quality communication is critical to sustaining visibility, demonstrating results, and reinforcing UNICEF’s role as a trusted partner.

The UNICEF Asia-Pacific Pillar Office leads communication and visibility efforts tailored to Japanese audiences, including media engagement, website and social media management, political outreach, donor visibility for Japan funded programmes, and coordination with UNICEF Headquarters, Regional Offices, and Country Offices. To meet growing demand and ensure timely delivery of communication products, UNICEF seeks the support of an experienced Communications & Advocacy Consultant.

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen UNICEF’s visibility, communication, and political advocacy efforts in Japan by producing high-quality communication products, managing digital platforms, supporting donor visibility, and enhancing engagement with government partners, media, Parliamentarians, and the Japanese public.

Scope of Work:

The Communications and Advocacy Consultant will provide comprehensive support to the UNICEF Asia-Pacific Pillar Office in strengthening visibility, strategic communication, media engagement, and political outreach for UNICEF’s partnerships in Japan. Japan remains one of UNICEF’s most important government partners, and clear, consistent, and culturally attuned communication is critical to sustaining and deepening this partnership. The consultant will play an essential role in ensuring that UNICEF’s global and country-level achievements are effectively communicated to Japanese audiences—including the Government of Japan (GoJ), line ministries, Parliamentarians, development
partners, media stakeholders, and the general public.

Over the course of seven months, the consultant will be supporting the productions of a full range of communication and visibility materials. This includes preparing and translating high-quality press releases, human-interest stories, and visibility assets; and producing analytics to track performance and impact. The consultant will also coordinate and produce visibility materials for high-level visits, missions, and senior leadership engagements, ensuring aligned messaging and timely dissemination with key partners.
 

The role also extends to supporting the Parliamentary League for UNICEF (PLU) engagement by preparing political briefs, newsletters, recruitment materials, and communication packages tied to parliamentary meetings and field visit. In addition, the consultant will contribute to the management of Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) assets, including photo and video libraries, and provide translation support for the documents and visibility requests.

The consultant will work closely with the Partnership Manager, Operation Associate, other fundraising colleagues, the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU), Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices (ROs), and HQ divisions to ensure strong alignment across messaging, branding, and visibility standards. The consultant is expected to proactively identify stories and opportunities to enhance UNICEF’s visibility in Japan and maintain high-quality communication materials that accurately reflect UNICEF’s mandate, values, and achievements.
 

This consultancy requires independence, attention to detail, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously under tight deadlines. The consultant will play a key role in strengthening UNICEF’s influence, visibility, and partnerships across Japan.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations or another
  relevant technical field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: public affairs, resource mobilization, communications, external relations, media, partnership or other relevant area.
• Excellent communications skills, both in Japanese and English at business level is required (verbal and written).
• Experience in translation is required
• Familiarity with donor visibility & recognition is required.
• Knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as political and governmental processes is required.
• Experience in social media & website management is required.
• Experience in event management is required.
• Knowledge of video editing is highly desirable.
• Positive performance record on drive for results and teamwork.
• Proven capacity to quickly absorb new information and techniques and work under tight deadlines.

Please submit a financial quote of all-inclusive fees for the consultancy by 1) presenting an all-inclusive lump sum rate (in US$) for the deliverables to undertake the deliverable-based Terms of Reference with a detailed breakdown of the lump sum amount, including the estimated number of days, and daily rate (in US$) with other application documents.  Applications submitted without a financial quote will not be considered.

Those interested in applying should refer to the site below and apply accordingly.

Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.