Overview
The Advocacy Specialist will coordinate and support the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans to defend the rights of children and help them fulfil their potential in Ghana.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate and support the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.
- Support UNICEF's global communications by creating country-specific materials and activities.
- Develop annual and issue-based advocacy strategies and workplans.
- Identify policy windows and opportunities for influence.
- Map key stakeholders and power dynamics.
- Support engagement with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MMDAs).
- Contribute to policy briefs, position papers, and talking points.
- Facilitate consultations, roundtables, and high-level meetings.
- Strengthen collaboration with development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and youth networks.
- Coordinate multi-stakeholder advocacy initiatives.
- Support coalition-building around priority issues.
- Provide technical assistance in designing and delivering effective communication plans.
- Translate technical program data into accessible advocacy messages.
- Develop key messages, briefing notes, and campaign materials.
- Support media engagement and public advocacy campaigns.
- Support the implementation of a local Adolescent and Youth Advocates programme.
- Assist in the development and implementation of communication content with and for adolescents and youth.
- Support the implementation of capacity building and knowledge management efforts.
- Support content moderation, community management, content creation, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for youth-focused digital platforms/communities.
- Assist in the local coordination and implementation of U-Report.
- Support building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, influencers, media outlets, and social media personalities.
- Identify, build, and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks.
- Coordinate internal communication approaches.
- Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication.
Required Experience
- Relevant professional experience at national and international levels in advocacy, campaigns, communication/journalism, marketing/public relations.
- Advocacy, Public Relations, Journalism, Media work, and International Humanitarian Work.
- Strong knowledge of analyzing and interpreting research and data.
- Strong knowledge of advocacy, social justice, campaigns, and youth or community engagement.
- Ability to support campaign planning, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach activities.
- Familiarity with social media platforms and digital advocacy tools.
- Good organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team and engage respectfully with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic digital tools.
- Willingness to learn, take initiative, and adapt in a fast-paced advocacy environment.
- Experience in volunteering, activism, or student leadership (Desirable).
- Knowledge of policy processes, human rights, or development issues (Desirable).
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or related field.
- A Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
