Advocacy and Communications Specialist (UNICEF Iraq)

About the role

The Advocacy and Communications Specialist leads UNICEF Iraq’s advocacy and communications section, reporting to the Representative. The role supervises a Communication Officer and a Communication Associate, shaping public advocacy strategies that promote children’s and women’s rights across the country.

Key responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor public advocacy strategies aligned with programme outcomes and UNICEF’s global priorities.
• Manage media relations, build networks with public audiences, and coordinate campaigns on disaster risk reduction and humanitarian issues.
• Oversee the production of advocacy materials, ensuring consistent messaging and impact.
• Lead monitoring and evaluation of advocacy activities, reporting results to senior management.
• Provide team management, capacity building and mentorship to the communications staff.
• Collaborate with regional and global communication teams to align country‑level work with broader UNICEF initiatives.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or Social Science.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy and communications, preferably in an international development context.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising staff and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven track record of designing and executing effective public advocacy campaigns.
• Fluent proficiency in both English and Arabic.

Required skills

• Media relations
• Strategic thinking
• Team supervision
• International development context awareness

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence child‑rights advocacy at a national level.
• Professional development within a global humanitarian organization.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.