Communication for Development Specialist, NO-C (TA) (For Liberian Nationals Only)

Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

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.

BACKGROUND:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions his or her rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF Liberia works, in support of the Government and its various structures and branches, in both humanitarian and development contexts to strengthen community knowledge, attitudes and behaviors for social change for the promotion of children's rights and resilience. Communication for Development is one of the strategies to better reach and support local communities in terms of matching the supply of services with the demand. Strengthening C4D in Child Survival and Development will support the need to increase supply and demand for WASH, nutrition, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (MNCAH) services which is geared toward the reduction in Maternal, Neonatal and child morbidity and mortality.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Communication for Development Specialist, NO-C reports to the Chief, CSD for general guidance and supervision. The Communication for Development Specialist provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for C4D as an integral part of CSD programmes development, planning and implementation. Through communication and engagement, as well as the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, s/he promotes measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival and wellbeing in the country.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

• Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities for Child Survival and Development.
• Implementation of C4D activities.
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design C4D strategies, including formulation, production and testing materials to organize C4D events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change for MNCHA, nutrition and WASH 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 audiences (e.g. PLHIV Network, Adolescent(e)s, communities, government officials, partners, media, schools 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, etc. related to MNCHA, nutrition and WASH to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination, stigma/discrimination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable programme results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D events.
• Enhance country-level capacity to roll out effective and coordinated risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) approaches through capacity gaps assessment, provision of simplified tools and resources, distance-based training and guidance and rapid deployment of RCCE expertise for COVID-19 response planning and monitoring.

• Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of C4D in health, nutrition and WASH Rolling Work Plans. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.

  Technical and Operational Support:

• Collaborate with internal CO, 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 CSD programmes/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.
• Participate in budget planning and management of CSD programme 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.

• Develop C4D strategy and plan of action for polio outbreak response, organize and manage the formative research, development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant messages, activities and communication materials to facilitate effective and efficient program delivery and sustainable shifts in the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of specific stakeholder groups.

  A****dvocacy, Networking and Partnership Building:

• 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.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with national and subnational media, government departments/sectors, formal and informal community leaders and other civil society organizations, to orient and coordinate their involvement in C4D activities towards strengthening CSD systems, COVID-19 response and, other epidemics.

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.

• 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 programmes/projects including in humanitarian settings.
• Accelerate priority research and innovation in social sciences to support the implementation of public health measures and ensure participation of at-risk and affected communities to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the COVID-19 response and accountability towards people.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Education: Advance university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, public health, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.
• Experience: 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.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset

Competencies:

Core Values

• Care,
• Respect,
• Integrity,
• Trust
• Accountability

Functional Competencies:

• Builds & Maintains Partnerships,
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness & Ethical Awareness,
• Drive to Achieve Results for Impact,
• Innovates and Embraces Change,
• Manages Ambiguity and Complexity,
• Thinks and Acts Strategically-and
• Works Collaboratively

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

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 to become a part of the organization.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, a future!