If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Communication Specialist, P-3, New York
Vacancy No: E-VN-2013-001416
Duty Station: New York
Country: USA
Region: NY HQ
Job Level:
Position#: 00086006
Application Close: 16-Aug-13
Contract Type: Long-term Staff (FT)
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Digital Strategy Executive Producer, the Senior Photography Editor is responsible for leading the organization`s use of photography as part of effective external communication, programme communication and fundraising advocacy in support of children`s and women`s rights globally and related UNICEF programmes and priorities. This includes:
– Directing the creation, acquisition, dissemination and use of photography and related multimedia products for UNICEF HQ and providing support and advice to other UNICEF offices worldwide for their photo acquisitions and use;
– Creating, implementing and disseminating policies, guidelines and technical requirements for the acquisition and use of photographs by UNICEF, and their use by external media and UNICEF partners, in line with child rights, international/national laws and the highest editorial standards;
– Promoting the development of partnerships with international photography professionals and related visual multimedia professionals, channels, institutions, agencies and corporations;
– Undertaking or coordinating HQ photo assignments.
Key Expected Results
Direct and manage the HQ photography operation and the development of related multimedia products, including:
– Consult with UNICEF policy-makers (, Communication and other specialists globally); with internal users of UNICEF photographs, including in HQ, regional, national and National Committee offices; and with external users including UN and other programme partners, international media, etc. to define priority areas for photographic coverage;
– Acquire photographs globally to address these needs, coordinating with relevant field and other offices, drawing from a consistently updated roster of qualified development/journalist professional photographers based around the world;
– Edit and supervise the researching/writing of related captions, ensuring accuracy and descriptions in line with UNICEF policies;
– Direct the timely dissemination of UNICEF photographs to maximize their broadest appropriate use in support of child
rights and UNICEF priorities, including via image profiles on www.unicef.org/photography and other UNICEF platforms and in other major international/national media and social media channels;
Create and update as needed comprehensive guidelines on UNICEF photography – and related visual media – policies and technical procedures/requirements and advocate for their broadest practise within UNICEF and externally, as appropriate;
Build partnerships with international development/journalism photographers and related visual media and/or academic agencies, channels, institutions and corporations;
Manage the UNICEF HQ Photography Unit and ensure that all required administrative, financial and personnel policies are adhered to and that UNICEF resources are cost-effectively deployed.
Carry out HQ and other photography assignments and related work, including:
– Complete HQ-based photography assignments, or support the hiring of alternate photographers for these assignments, including arranging all briefings, logistics, contacts, access, etc.
– Ensure complete follow-up of these assignments, including the timely editing, captioning and completion of selected image acquisitions for sharing with DOC or other colleagues or external partners and for their global distribution.
– Undertake field photography assignments, as needed.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
– Advanced university degree in photography or equivalent experience.*
– More than six years relevant experience (preferably within an international context) in professional editorial and social documentary photography, particularly in developing countries. This includes a comprehensive working knowledge of up-to-date photography processes and of the application of photography in a range of media, including news outlets, web and social media sites, multimedia products, print publications and exhibitions, etc. Up-to-date experience in strategic communication efforts (design and application) that utilize documentary/ photojournalistic photography to advocate for positive social change, preferably in an international context, in a rapidly evolving multimedia and multi-platform communication environment.
– Fluency in spoken and written English required. Knowledge of French or Spanish an asset.
*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing UNICEF’s mission.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.