Children4Change seeks awesome, inspiring youth writers!

UNICEF Malaysia is seeking talented and creative youth writers (18-26 years old) for our Children4Change blog. This blog is a digital platform dedicated to reaching and empowering young people in Malaysia on issues that matter to them. These include bullying, safer internet, gender equality, mental health, and climate action.

This freelance opportunity is based on deliverables, requiring the completion of 8-10 articles over a 16-month period until end 2024.

1. Goal

The Children4Change blog aims to provide young people like you with a space to share your thoughts and solutions on issues that impact young people the most.

The youth writers will be responsible for producing 1-2 blog articles every two months. You will receive author attribution (with a byline) for your articles, or you may choose to use a pseudonym if you prefer.

You are also encouraged to share your own ideas for article topics. These may be linked to current issues in the country, a recently launched UNICEF report or a UN action day. Regardless of topic, it’s essential to approach these topics from a young person’s perspective.

2. Blog Article Requirements

Each blog article should be between 600-800 words and adhere to the following guidelines:

• • Style and Tone: The writing should be informal, lively, engaging, and free of jargon. Humor can be used, where applicable, to resonate with young people (15-24 years old).
  • Language: You may incorporate a mix of English and Malay languages including Manglish to connect with readers effectively.
  • Formats and Styles: We encourage a variety of formats – listicles, opinion pieces, human interest stories and news recaps – to keep the content fresh and engaging.
  • Multimedia Content: Each article should include URLs to shareable content like gifs, photos, memes, videos, and social media posts, provided they adhere to copyright laws. You are welcome to create original content or photos, and you will be credited accordingly.
  • SEO Standards: Ensure that each blog article follows basic SEO standards to optimize its visibility.

3. Scope of Work

The youth writers responsibilities will include:

• • Participating in editorial meetings to discuss and pitch story ideas and angles for blog.
  • Conducting research to gather factual information and authentic details for your story.
  • Interviewing program specialists, issue experts, or youth subjects as needed to develop your blog articles.
  • Submitting each article four weeks in advance of the agreed publishing date to allow for edits and upload.
  • Providing links to suggested gifs, memes, photos, and videos for embedding in the article.
  • Collaborating with the Project Supervisor to shape the material for publication.
  • Ensuring adherence to UNICEF communication standards and guidelines.

4. Duration

This is approximately an 18 month assignment, starting in 2023 Q3 and ending in 2024 Q4.

5. Qualifications & Experience

This role requires the following qualifications, experience and skills:

• Age: 18 – 26 years old.
• Location: Malaysia
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in journalism and/or writing blog/features for the web (experience in writing for youth is a plus).
• Language: Fluent in English with the ability to produce articles in English, Malay, Manglish, and Meme. Your writing should have personality and capture the attention of our readers.
• Interest: Passionate about human rights and child rights with a strong interest in issues concerning young people in Malaysia.
• Skills: Knack for identifying and selecting compelling youth-friendly media assets, including infographics, photos, memes, gifs, videos, and social media posts. These elements will enhance the engagement and impact of your blog articles.
• Time Management: Meeting deadlines is crucial in this position.

6. TO APPLY 

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit the following to inadchatram@unicef.org no later than 15 June 2023:

• Updated CV showcasing your relevant experience
• Links to any published blogs or news articles you have written
• Quotation for each article based on the deliverables outlined in the Terms of Reference

Please note, we will contact only shortlisted candidates for further consideration. We look forward to receiving your application!