UNICEF Communication for Development Specialists/Polio Job Vacancy

The
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – For 70 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

We
are looking for qualified candidates to fill the position below:

Job
Title: Communication
for Development Specialist/Polio, (P-3)
Job Number: 506777
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

For
Every Child, Hope
The Communications for Development Specialist reports to the Chief of C4D/Polio
for general guidance and supervision with additional guidance provided by the
Polio Field Coordinator. The Specialist provides technical and operational
support in the development of a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy
and process for C4D as an integral part of program development, planning and
implementation to promote measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization
through communication, engagement, empowerment and participation of
stakeholders, partners constituents, communities and civil society to achieve
successful and sustainable concrete (program/project) results on children’s
rights, survival and well-being in the country.
Further, and in close coordination with the partners in immunization
activities, the incumbent will drive progress in Polio eradication and Extended
Programme on Immunization (EPI) activities in national office based in Abuja
and in all field offices in Nigeria with particular emphasis in the North East,
to achieve successful social mobilization that will result in increased uptake
for polio and routine immunization to build higher immunity against Polio,
meeting the short-term and long-term PEI (Polio Eradication Initiative)/EPI
goals. Incumbent is also responsible for actively supporting the national
Social Mobilization initiatives and to support Advocacy, Communication and
Social Mobilization Working Group at National Primary Health Care Development
Agency (NPHCDA) and the Communication working group at Emergency Operations
Center (EOC).

How
Can You Make A Difference?
Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities:

Develop
and implement strategies to address children’s and women’s issues around
polio eradication, immunization and cross cutting C4D strategies in the
public domain. Expected result is strengthened political will in support
of UNICEF’s mission and objectives, (including communication assessment
and analysis, development of a communication plan, strategic use of
resources and involvement in Polio Eradication & Routine Immunization
processes, especially rapid situation analysis, studies, reviews and
evaluations).
Plan
and oversee the production of culturally relevant programme communication
materials that meet requirements and quality standards aimed at: (a)
behaviour development/change at individual/household and community levels;
(b) social mobilisation of civil society and community-based
organizations; and (c) increased community participation in EPI programmes
and related primary healthcare programmes. Facilitate the integration of
lessons learned and adapt communication tools into existing communication
action plans.
Make
viable recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of
participatory communication, social mobilisation and behaviour change and
on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences.
Prepare
or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for
C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the Country Office – CO and/or
United Nations Development Assistance Framework – UNDAF Programs) to
ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
Collaborate/consult
with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy,
integration, coherence, and harmonization of C4D activities with UNICEF
sections at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.

Implementation
of C4D Activities:

Collaborate
with, advise and/or consult internal partners, including state-level C4D
colleagues, and external partners to design of culturally relevant C4D
strategies, including formulation, production and pre-testing materials
and/or to organize C4D events and activities to ensure engagement and
participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on
behavioral and social change, including in humanitarian response.
Confirm/verify
the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications
strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and
disseminated to target audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government
officials, partners, media etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media
formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community
networks, etc.). Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media
initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the
latest evidence.
Carry
out C4D advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents,
stakeholders, partners, communities, such as religious groups, traditional
leaders, teachers, artists and other organised groups at national, state,
zonal, Local Government Areas (LGA) and community levels, as well as civil
society organizations etc. to orient them on behavior and social
mobilization models, strategies, approaches, Polio eradication and routine
immunization as well as general health programme goals; and solicit their
involvement in the implementation of the overall country program; also to
encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination
and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural
change to achieve sustainable program results for polio eradication,
improved routine immunization, and children and women’s rights, equity and
well-being. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D
events.
Identify,
establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia
and other strategic partners to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies
and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in
promoting social/political engagement for political action on polio
eradication, and measurable changes in social and behavioral outcomes.
Conduct
and/or participate in M & E (Monitoring and Evaluation) and Evaluation
exercises, including country program previews, meetings and
mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of C4D on
UNICEF and Nigeria Country Office (NCO) Strategic Plans/Goals. Recommend
timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and
allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development
planning and improvements.
Monitor
and evaluate programme activities on the basis of applied qualitative
behavioral research and frequent visits to project sites.
Analyse
and evaluate data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and
recommend corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project
objectives. Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with
the established guidelines, methods and procedures. Provide technical
advice to programme staff, government officials and other counterparts,
and coordinate and manage the evaluative elements of country programme
milestone meetings, such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews
and reviews and annual reviews.

Technical
And Operational Support:

Strengthen
and support Social Mobilization Working Groups, as platforms hosted by
government for the coordination and harmonization of all activities aimed
at improving the use of use of communication and social development,
targeting both individual and collective behavior change; provide similar
support to efforts at the State level, strengthening state capacity
through provision of technical guidance to both UNICEF state-level staff
as well as state-government social mobilization working groups.
Participate
in budget planning and management of program funds and prepare financial
plan for C4D initiatives. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned
and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and
regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.
Undertake
missions nationally, including to high risk States and LGAs in Nigeria and
select behavioral challenging areas to assess knowledge gaps, attitudes
and practices; identify barriers and/or facilitating factors on the basis
of applied communication research; communicate findings to local
government and partner authorities and communities regarding feasibility
and effectiveness of both planning and implementation.
Collaborate
with internal CO, Regional Office (RO) and/or RO colleagues to contribute
to the development of strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of
C4D social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of
programs/projects implementation and delivery of results, including
humanitarian response.
Participate
in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting
for C4D advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource
mobilization initiatives.

Advocacy,
Networking And Partnership Building:

Ensure
high polio visibility through strategic media engagement and advocacy.
With technical inputs from the Chief of C4D/Polio and Chief of External
Communication, provide overall guidance in the development and
implementation of the media and advocacy component of the national polio
communication strategy.
Identify,
build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive
collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks;
celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of (socially aware)
society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue
opportunities for C4D advocacy to promote UNICEF mission and goals for
child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.
Collaborate
with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link
and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication
platforms to enhance C4D outreach including in humanitarian contexts.
Participate
in organizational and/or inter-agency (United Nations Country Team – UNCT;
National UN Communication for Development Round-table) discussions and
planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF
planning and preparation of C4D advocacy and resource mobilization
initiatives including emergencies.

Innovation,
Knowledge Management And Capacity Building:

Implement
innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media
and social/digital platforms and networks for C4D that are
appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.
In
consultation with Polio Field Coordinator and state colleagues, develop
training modules and other materials; act as lead facilitator for capacity
building activities on participatory behavior and social change
communication at various levels of government, for partners and civil
society organizations; and engage as Trainer of Trainers in support of the
vast Volunteer Community Mobilizer network that benefits from the efforts
of over 15,000 individuals; all in support of programme sustainability.
Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with
global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners,
and disseminate these products to key audiences including donors and
partners.
Organize/implement
capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of
clients/stakeholders/partners (government and non-government) in C4D
planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programs/projects
including in humanitarian settings.

Budget
and Funds Allocations:

Participate
in and actively contribute to the budget and programme review &
planning. Establish programme work plans, allocation of resources, and
monitor progress and compliance.
Monitor
the allocation and disbursement of relevant programme funds, making sure
that they are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
Take
appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Improve programme
efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent
approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Qualifications
of Successful Candidate
Education:

An
Advanced University Degree in social and Behavioral Science, (Social
Sciences, Development Studies, Anthropology, Psychology, Public Health and
Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for
behavior development, social mobilization, participatory communication,
and research. Sociology Is required. Successful completion of C4D course
will be considered as an added advantage.
A
first-level university degree with additional two years of experience may
be accepted in lieu of advanced degree.

Work
Experience:

A
minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional work
experience in the development planning, research and management of social
development programmes, including several years in developing countries,
with practical experience in the adaptation and application of
communication planning processes to specific programmes.
Working
experience in polio endemic country will be an added advantage.

Language:

Fluency
in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a
local language is an asset.

For
Every Child, You Demonstrate:

Our
core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies
in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional
Competencies:

Leading
and supervising (I), Formulating strategies/concepts (II), Relating and
networking (II), Persuading and influencing (II), Applying technical
expertise (II), Entrepreneurial thinking (II)

Specific
Technical Knowledge:

Knowledge
of current developments in the fields of: communication theory,
motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media,
community organization and participation, strategic communication
planning, behavior analysis, formative research and evaluation of
communication interventions and experience in putting them to action.
Demonstrated
knowledge of and experience in emergency operations and management.
Demonstrated
knowledge of and skills in programme communication networking, advocacy
and negotiation.
Demonstrated
experience of training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication
intervention.
Experience
in organizing and implementing training, including the development of
curricula and methodologies.
Experience
in community capacity building.
Knowledge
and experience of inter-disciplinary approach in programme development and
implementation in programme communication, social mobilization and
behavioral change.
Computer
knowledge, skills and practical experience, including internet navigation,
network, telecommunications and various office applications.

Common
Technical Knowledge:

UN/UNICEF
policy papers, relating to polio programme communication and programmes
Executive
Directives
Communication
for Development Guidelines
UNICEF
country programme plans
UNICEF
programme manuals
Government
development plans and policies

How
to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note

The
successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to
commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.
Employment
is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required,
the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria
that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or
offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be
met before the date for commencement of service.