Communication for Development Specialist (COVID), P3, TA, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 120,036 USD and 157,177 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, Health.

With over 850 indigenous languages, and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

The Communication for Development (C4D) Specialist for the COVID-19 Response and Vaccine Demand Generation reports to the C4D Manager Health and Nutrition Section for general guidance and supervision. The Specialist provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for C4D as an integral part of programme development, planning and implementation; specifically, to provide technical support to the PNG National Department of Health and partners for the development and implementation of evidence based C4D plans towards leveraging resources and strengthening community engagement, this work will aim to: continue the promotion of best practice behaviours to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 spread both before and after immunisation, prepare the country with crisis communication plans in response to Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) and fake news, and implement the national/sub-national advocacy plan to mobilise widespread support for COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, this role will support the development of strategic partnerships and facilitate collaborations between UNICEF PNG C4D partners to strengthen community engagement interventions, create effective feedback mechanisms at community level, and establish social data and behaviour patterns.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategic Direction and Coordination:

1. Support RCCE Cluster to determine strategic directions for C4D, social mobilization, communication, community engagement and behaviour change and ensure the strategies are in line with UNICEF Country Office plans to achieve COVID-19 vaccine coverage targets.
2. Make viable recommendations and decisions on appropriate C4D demand generation strategies to achieve the RCCE’s goals and objectives.
3. Provide expert advice and assistance to the RCCE Cluster which promote culturally sensitive and tailored Social and Behaviour Change interventions contributing to ensuring sustainable demand and uptake of immunization services.

Implementation of C4D activities

1. Develop, maintain and update the RCCE approaches, plans and activities geared towards generating demand for COVID-19 vaccine and other primary health care services.
2. The strategy should be founded on sound evidence based on studies with clear objectives, approaches, plans, activities, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
3. Provide support for social listening and rumour management through establishment of crisis communication.
4. Provide support for capacity building of health workers, CSOs, Front-Line workers on demand generation-linking it with the gains made in RCCE.
5. Ensure approaches used are inclusive, consultative and participatory to carry along all stakeholders.

Promotion of C4D/SBCC/RCCE principles

1. Provide advice on appropriate use of Social and Behavioural Change interventions
2. Provide expert advice, coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of C4D to ensure optimum leverage and impact of communication activities on programme, policy and advocacy activities.
3. Collaborate with the national and subnational government officials, community/traditional leaders, other UN bodies, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of RCCE’s goals and strategies.
4. Monitor and evaluate activities on the basis of applied targeted communication research and visits to field/project sites, when needed.
5. Disseminate communication research findings, ensuring exchanges of experience and new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.

Capacity Building for Sustainability

1. Oversee and advise on the development of goals, strategy, approaches, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of C4D intervention within RCCE strategies for generating demand for COVID-19 vaccine uptake by communities.

Advocacy, networking, and partnership building

1. Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. religious leaders, 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
2. Plan and implement advocacy activities, events and materials to build the commitment of in-country partners and stakeholders such as relevant line ministries and departments, MPs, churches, CSOs, media etc.
3. 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.

Innovation and knowledge management

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 programmes/projects including in humanitarian settings.

As a champion for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or the local language in PNG is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

View our competency framework at https://www.unicef.org/careers/media/1041/file/UNICEF%27s_Competency_Framework.pdf

This position is classified as temporary and does not carry any expectancy of renewal and will not be converted to any other type of appointment.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training).