Job Vacancy at UNICEF Tanzania: National Consultant – Writer and Editor, UNICEF@80 Coffee Table Book – Dar es Salaam, October 2026

Position: National Consultant – Writer and Editor, UNICEF@80 Coffee Table Book
Organization: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Job Number: 596261
Contract Type: Consultant
Job Category: Communication
Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Position Level: Consultancy
Date Advertised: 13 October 2026
Application Deadline: 19 October 2026

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

UNICEF works alongside governments, communities and partners to promote the rights and well-being of every child, with particular attention to children who are most disadvantaged.

Background

In 2026, UNICEF marks 80 years of working with governments, communities and partners to advance children’s rights and well-being worldwide. In Tanzania, this milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on progress achieved for children, recognise the leadership, investments and partnerships that have contributed to that progress, and renew commitments to accelerating results for every child.

As part of the global UNICEF@80 campaign, Choose a Future for Children, UNICEF Tanzania is developing a national advocacy and storytelling campaign centred on Progress for Children.

A flagship output of this campaign will be a coffee table book documenting Tanzania’s journey for children across key areas, including health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, social policy, social and behaviour change, innovation, and climate action.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will research, structure, write and edit the narrative for the UNICEF@80 Tanzania coffee table book, ensuring that the publication presents a coherent account of progress for children in Tanzania over time.

The publication will document the policies, investments, partnerships and collective actions that have contributed to meaningful improvements in children’s lives, while accurately reflecting UNICEF’s contribution alongside the Government, communities, development partners and other stakeholders.

The consultant will translate technical evidence, historical records and programme insights into compelling narratives, connect past achievements with present realities and future priorities, and ensure consistency of voice, factual accuracy and high editorial quality throughout the publication.

The work will align with UNICEF@80’s focus on demonstrating how progress for children results from deliberate choices and renewing commitment to the choices needed to accelerate progress for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

The selected consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Develop the editorial framework and structure for the publication, including the overall storyline, chapter architecture, narrative approach and flow, aligned with Progress for Children and Choose a Future for Children.
• Conduct the research and consultations required to develop the publication. This will include reviewing section inputs, historical records, data and archival materials, as well as interviewing relevant UNICEF colleagues, government counterparts, partners and other identified contributors to verify and strengthen the evidence base.
• Write and edit the coffee table book narrative, translating research into compelling and accessible legacy stories that trace Tanzania’s progress for children over time and connect historical achievements with human experiences and the unfinished agenda.
• Develop timelines of progress for children, photo captions, pull quotes and other editorial elements required for the publication.
• Collaborate closely with programme specialists and technical experts to verify data, ensure accurate attribution and integrate consolidated feedback across sections.
• Ensure that all content reflects UNICEF’s storytelling principles, including accuracy, dignity, agency and a focus on children, families and communities as active participants in change.
• Copy-edit and proofread the full manuscript to ensure clarity, consistency, readability and alignment with UNICEF editorial standards and brand guidance.
• Work closely with the designer and campaign team to ensure appropriate text hierarchy, narrative pacing and integration of visual and editorial content in the final publication.

Qualifications and Requirements

1. Education

Applicants must have a master’s degree in one of the following fields:

• Journalism
• Communications
• International Development
• Social Sciences
• Public Policy
• Another relevant field

An advanced degree is an asset.

2. Work Experience

Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in writing, editing, journalism, research, publishing or strategic communications.

Candidates must also demonstrate experience producing high-quality, long-form editorial products, such as:

• Institutional publications and narratives.
• Annual reports.
• Books and other major publications.
• Feature writing.
• Similar high-quality editorial products.

3. Required Skills and Competencies

Candidates should demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, including the ability to translate complex technical evidence into clear, compelling and accessible narratives.
• A strong understanding of Tanzania’s development context and the ability to write accurately about social development, public policy and children’s rights.
• Proven research and synthesis skills across technical sources, datasets, reports and interviews.
• Ability to distinguish and articulate the respective contributions of the Government, UNICEF and partners while avoiding unsupported attribution.
• Strong fact-checking, copy-editing and proofreading skills, with meticulous attention to dates, data, names, sources and consistency.
• Ability to collaborate with technical specialists, communications colleagues and designers, manage feedback from multiple stakeholders and deliver work within tight deadlines.

4. Language Requirements

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili and the ability to conduct interviews in Kiswahili.

Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts, is also required.

UNICEF Core Values

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin its work and organisational culture.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate these values throughout their professional conduct and engagement with children, families, communities and colleagues.

UNICEF Competencies

The competencies required for this consultancy include:

1. Builds and maintains partnerships.
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
3. Drive to achieve results for impact.
4. Innovates and embraces change.
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity.
6. Thinks and acts strategically.
7. Works collaboratively with others.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of every child’s rights and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and representative workforce.

Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity, disability or other background. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process for candidates with disabilities.

For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Government employees considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment.

Child Safeguarding and Background Checks

UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These may include verification of academic qualifications and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers or other relevant organisations.

Appointment and continued engagement are subject to satisfactory completion of all required checks. UNICEF appointments are also subject to medical clearance and applicable organisational requirements.

Important Recruitment Information

• UNICEF does not charge any processing fee at any stage of recruitment, selection or hiring.
• UNICEF will not ask applicants to provide bank account information.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Appointments are subject to the applicable UNICEF recruitment policies and requirements.
• UNICEF personnel may be called upon to support humanitarian responses when required.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNICEF careers portal.

Application Link: https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=596261&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us

Job Number: 596261

Application Deadline: 19 October 2026, East Africa Standard Time.

Applicants are encouraged to review the complete Terms of Reference before applying.

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