A conversation about workers, communities and social justice

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Seeks Advocacy & Engagement Fellow (NYC)

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

By helping to establish UNICEF’s domestic imprint, UNICEF USA Global Citizenship Fellows exemplify the concept of the “global citizen” as someone who understands global interconnectedness, respects and values diversity, has the ability to challenge injustice and inequalities, and takes action in a way that is personally meaningful. Fellows aim to organize and inspire their communities to take action for the world’s children by engaging local groups and cultivating awareness.

Global Citizenship Fellowship, UNICEF UNITE Advocacy & Engagement Fellow: The Fellowship is a highly-selective, full-time, two-year program that prepares diverse, committed, and globally-minded individuals for effective leadership in public service and community-based activities

By helping to establish UNICEF’s domestic imprint, the Fellows exemplify the concept of the “global citizen” as someone who understands global interconnectedness, respects and values diversity, has the ability to challenge injustice and inequalities, and takes action in a way that is personally meaningful.

The UNICEF UNITE Advocacy & Engagement Fellow will support the core functions and goals of the Engagement, Advocacy, and Global Programs Division’s Advocacy & Engagement team, in close coordination with the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy (OPPA). Advocacy & Engagement helps UNICEF USA supporters build relationships with U.S. government offices—particularly members of Congress and their staff—in order to influence public policy and legislative action for the survival, protection and development of the children both in the United States and around the world.

Fellow objectives include implementing UNICEF USA’s advocacy strategy at the federal, state and local levels, creating content for digital advocacy activations, building resources for government engagement, tracking data on government offices and constituent interactions, designing educational resources and leading advocacy related trainings, and supporting the monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF’s advocacy initiatives. By providing both UNICEF USA staff and grassroots organizers (UNICEF UNITE Teams) the tools they need to effectively advocate for UNICEF, the Advocacy and Engagement team plays a vital role in working towards a day where children in the United States and children around the world can be healthy, learn, play and be empowered to speak up and take action to build the world they want.

Reporting to the Manager of Advocacy & Engagement, the Fellow will provide day-to-day support, and other duties, to help sustain and deepen UNICEF USA’s advocacy work with supporters around the country. This position is based in New York City.

Core Objectives and Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Advocacy & Engagement team and OPPA in integrating advocacy activities into the work of all UNICEF USA departments and regional offices throughout the year
  • Contribute to the development of UNICEF USA’s advocacy strategy to address targeted child rights issues in the U.S. through a situational analysis process
  • Help track the advocacy actions of UNICEF USA volunteers and report on the impact of legislative campaigns through BBCRM and other means
  • Create advocacy and communications web and email content as part of a comprehensive digital strategy
  • Support the management of content on UNICEF USA’s digital advocacy platforms, including Phone2Action, CQ Roll Call’s Knowlegis, and app technology for Advocacy Day
  • Engage UNICEF UNITE teams, regional offices, Global Citizenship Fellows, and UNICEF USA clubs and youth in advocacy by contributing to advocacy resources, supporting the creation and dissemination of advocacy calls-to-action, presenting on monthly UNICEF UNITE calls, helping to develop and lead advocacy-specific trainings, and leading prep sessions for meetings with government officials at the federal, state and local levels
  • Assist in managing logistics, scheduling, materials and training to prepare UNICEF USA supporters to participate in the annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
  • Maintain and update resources for legislative tracking including key pieces of legislation, key Congressional Committees, etc.
  • Support the design and execution of a pilot to implement UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative in the United States, in coordination with city officials, local stakeholders, Global Citizenship Fellows, regional staff and UNICEF UNITERs, where appropriate
  • Serve as an issue-specific lead within the Advocacy & Engagement team to research and organize around a given global or domestic policy area (e.g. child marriage, global health)
  • Participate in relevant coalition meetings and disseminate information to OPPA and the Advocacy and Engagement team as needed
  • Support the team with other duties and administrative tasks, as assigned

Through weekly one-on-one meetings, updated project plans/reports, and participation in department meetings, UNICEF USA staff will monitor and assist the Fellow in meeting their own personal and project objectives. Periodic workshops, activities, trainings and professional development activities will be a part of the Fellow’s continuing education and support structure.

The Global Citizenship Fellowship offers: 

  • A deep understanding of complex, global issues facing the world’s children
  • Training in UNICEF domestic initiatives, program and curriculum design, metrics and reporting, development and relationship building, group training, and consensus building
  • Leadership skills development in problem-solving, volunteer engagement, community outreach, event planning, nonprofit management, communication, public speaking, and program management
  • Hands-on project implementation experience
  • Extensive personal and professional development and internal and external networking opportunities
  • First-hand knowledge of non-profit operations and infrastructure

Eligibility/Qualifications:

Innovation, creativity, team player and leadership are necessary for success in this role. The successful candidate must also have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of children’s rights and international issues, general volunteer management experience, as well as a commitment to public service. The ideal fellow will be a resourceful and energetic self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work autonomously. Candidate must be a team player who embraces the mission of UNICEF and the UNICEF USA, and is highly motivated and enthusiastic.

All candidates must be available to start on the indicated start date (July 8, 2019), commit for the full two-year term (through July 30, 2021), and be able to travel for orientation and periodic convenings.

Qualifications also include:

  • Undergraduate degree and/or equivalent experience; professional or academic background in advocacy, education, civic engagement, international affairs, public policy, fundraising or related fields
  • The successful candidate must also have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of children’s rights, international issues, public policy, as well as a commitment to public service
  • Must have a passion for inspiring others and experience engaging in government advocacy, community mobilization and organizing, and/or volunteer management, including leadership development
  • Experience with data management
  • Demonstrated experience making presentations and leading trainings to small and large groups
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail is essential
  • Innovation, creativity, and a team player mentality are necessary for success in this role
  • Must be a creative thinker with ability to proactively develop new ideas and outreach strategies
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, including administrative tasks, and priorities while consistently meeting deadlines and working across teams
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office (Outlook- 2010 preferred, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekend and evening commitments
  • Must demonstrate UNICEF USA Core Values: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork, and Service
  • Applicants must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship

 

To apply:

 

  • Upon submission of application materials, candidates must include:
  • An updated résumé
  • A 500-word maximum statement of purpose
  • 2-3 references (including contact information)
  • The Statement of Purpose must address the following questions:
  • Why do you want to be the Advocacy & Engagement Fellow?
  • What professional and personal experiences and skills prepare you for this role?
  • What experience have you had with grassroots advocacy and/or public policy?
  • What are your long-term career aspirations? How does the Fellowship role fit into these aspirations and plans?

 

All applications are due by May 22, 2019.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

UNICEF USA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

Please apply at: https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=UNICEFUSA&cws=1&rid=1126

Location: New York, NY