Advocacy Specialist, Accra

General

Description of assignment title:

Advocacy Specialist

Assignment country:

Ghana

Duty stations:

Accra

Work location:

On UN premises

Expected start date:

09/01/2026

Duration:

12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal:

17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity:

UNICEF

Modality:

Onsite

Type:

International

Volunteer category:

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule:

Full-time

Number of Assignments:

1

Details

Mission and objectives:

Ghana is a peaceful, stable, multi-party democracy and a lower-middle-income country. The nation experienced steady socioeconomic development progress until 2020. Children under 18 comprise a significant portion of the population. Urbanization is a continuing trend. Disparities exist between regions, particularly regarding poverty. Many children in Ghana experience multidimensional and monetary poverty. In addition to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, several ongoing challenges, including health concerns, increased exposure to climate change, and regional security risks, pose threats to child well-being and overall development. The national medium-term development policy framework prioritizes areas such as economic growth, urbanization and infrastructure, digitalization, science, technology, innovation, pandemic preparedness, public health, climate change, emergency preparedness, and youth empowerment.

In Ghana, UNICEF cooperates with the Government and other partners to defend the rights of children and help them fulfil their potential. With offices in Accra and Tamale, the UNICEF team seeks to achieve results in strategic programme areas. The overall goal is for every child to survive and thrive, to live in a safe and clean environment, to learn, to be protected from violence and exploitation, and to have an equitable chance in life. The current Country Programme of cooperation is aligned with the Government priorities, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership (UNSDP), and Key Results for Children (KRCs) in the West and Central African Region (immunization, nutrition, learning outcomes, ending child marriage, and ending open defecation). UNICEF main strategies include Social protection and public financing for children, Advocacy and partnership, Social and Behavior Change and Innovation, Evidence and Knowledge management.

Context:

UNICEF's core mission is to advocate for the rights of every child in all its initiatives, programmes, advocacy, and operations. In Ghana, the Advocacy and Communication function, under the Chief of Advocacy and Communication, supports the advancement of national child-focused priorities through strategic engagement, evidence-based policy influence, and high-level partnerships. As the development landscape becomes increasingly competitive and complex, strong and coordinated advocacy is essential for UNICEF's effective positioning in Ghana and the wider West and Central Africa region. This requires sustained political engagement and strategic influence to support the development and implementation of policies that improve outcomes for children.

UNICEF Ghana is committed to equity, with a focus on reaching the most disadvantaged children and families. The organization works to ensure that every child can survive, develop, and reach their full potential without discrimination. Investments in health, education, nutrition, and protection not only improve child wellbeing but also contribute to national stability, human capital development, and long-term economic growth.

In alignment with its mandate under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF Ghana is strengthening its advocacy agenda around four key priority areas:

• Birth Registration - ensuring every child is legally recognized and able to access essential services and protections
• Foundational Learning - improving early grade learning outcomes and strengthening basic education systems
• Health and Nutrition Commodities - increasing Access to essential, life-saving commodities for maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition
• Adolescent Girls- advancing the rights, health, education, and protection of adolescent girls, with a focus on equity and inclusion

These priorities guide UNICEF Ghana's advocacy efforts to influence policy, strengthen systems, and drive collective action across government, development partners, civil society, and communities.

Ultimately, UNICEF seeks to remain a leading advocate for children in Ghana, supported by strong strategic partnerships and a coordinated network committed to advancing children's rights and driving sustainable change.

Task description:

Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate and support the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.
• Support UNICEF's global communications by creating country-specific materials and activities, enhancing communication capacity to highlight effective programs, and ensuring alignment with global priorities and campaigns through regular coordination.

Strategy and Planning

• Develop annual and issue-based advocacy strategies and workplans
• Identify policy windows and opportunities for influence
• Map key stakeholders and power dynamics

Policy Engagement

• Support engagement with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MMDAs)
• Contribute to policy briefs, position papers, and talking points
• Facilitate consultations, roundtables, and high-level meetings

Partnerships & Coordination

• Strengthen collaboration with development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and youth networks
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder advocacy initiatives
• Support coalition-building around priority issues

Communication strategy development and implementation:

• Provide technical assistance in designing and delivering effective communication plans that will deliver the aims of key advocacy strategies and help mobilize public and private support for the cause of children.

Communications & Messaging

• Translate technical program data into accessible advocacy messages
• Develop key messages, briefing notes, and campaign materials
• Support media engagement and public advocacy campaigns

Adolescent and youth engagement strategy development and implementation:

• Support the implementation of a local Adolescent and Youth Advocates programme: researching potential adolescent and youth advocates; supporting workplan development and communication; supporting adolescent and youth advocates in preparation for events/media; documenting learnings and successes.
• Assist in the development and implementation of communication content with and for adolescents and youth as part of campaigns and advocacy priorities.
• 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.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Support building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, influencers, media outlets, and social media personalities for advocacy purposes.
• Identify, build, and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.

Internal Advocacy

• Coordinate internal communication approaches to keep staff informed on program activities and ensure alignment across the office.
• Contribute to building internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy and communication through coaching, training, and sharing of expertise, including developing the Advocacy taskforce.
• Undertake other key responsibilities as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age:

18 - 80

Required experience:

3 years

Nationality:

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

5 years

Languages:

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration or related field.

A Master's Degree is an added advantage.

Competencies and values:

• Teamwork
• Drive for results
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Sustainability

Skills and 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 written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear advocacy messages, reports, and briefs
• Strong knowledge of analyzing and interpreting research and data. Analytical skills, including data collection and synthesis.
• 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

Desirable (Added Advantage):

• Experience in volunteering, activism, or student leadership
• Knowledge of policy processes, human rights, or development issues

Area(s) of expertise:

• Communication, Development programmes, Economics and finance

Driving license:

-

Other information

The recruiting organization, UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund, has not specified a closing date for this vacancy or continues to list jobs after their stated closing date. Because such positions may remain open, they are listed here until removed from the recruiting organization's website.

Click the button below to verify its current status.

More Information and Application Details