Communication Officer (NO-2), Kandahar, Afghanistan #00117575 (only for Afghan nationals)

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a voice!

Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2

UNICEF in Afghanistan: https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/

How can you make a difference?

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration the Chief of Field Office, Polio Team Lead in SR, the Chief of Communication, and external partners, the Communication Officer provides technical contributes to the development, management and facilitation of the implementation of regional communication strategies and associated plans of action for: (a) regional public advocacy on priority child rights issues; (b) regional youth engagement and community participation; (c) regional civil society partnerships and social mobilization particularly for polio eradication as well as contribute to the (d) overall community engagement efforts to boost polio and other childhood vaccine uptake.
• In collaboration with partners, the Communication Officer facilitates the development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials for implementation of communication strategy action plan and facilitate formative research. Supports the rollout of UNICEF national communications objectives and strategies through development of complementary regional specific and local community materials.
• Supports the production of polio eradication audio-visual materials for the UNICEF Afghanistan online and social media channels.
• Provide inputs to media material focusing specifically on integrated service delivery in the SR
• Work with both Polio, Comms and CACE to cover & document field visits with quality audio/visual material. Collaborate with C4D officer and other team leads in developing media material to be shared with ACO.
• Ensures the quality, consistency and appropriateness of communication materials that are developed, produced/reproduced, and disseminated at the local level.
• Recommends appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities; recommend the appropriateness, quality and dissemination of printed and audio-visual materials.
• Recommends established contacts, networks, resources and processes to support communication activities.
• Develops partnerships with local media organizations, religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists and other organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to promote public awareness and understanding of children's and women's issues, to orient them on importance of childhood vaccinations and access to basic social services for polio eradication.
• Conducts regular six- monthly mapping of existing media and potential partners in the region. Builds and maintains active relationships with influential individuals and organizations. Actively explores potential innovations in partnerships for public advocacy, youth engagement and social mobilization.
• Working with the Polio Communication Officer, and Media team in Kabul, maintains and updates local media contact list and assists in developing and maintaining close collaboration with local media.
• Works with CFO and Communication team in Kabul to prepare appropriate background communication and promotional materials for briefing and sharing with media.
• Assists in the planning, logistic, and administrative arrangements for local as well as national and international media visiting the region, facilitating photo and video coverage as appropriate.
• Regularly assesses the level of capacity among local media, civil society and government partners for communication and social mobilization.
• In close collaboration with the communication team in Kabul, develops materials and implements training programmes for these partners as required and appropriate.
• In close cooperation with the communication team in Kabul, actively identifies influential regional local celebrities or influencers who can contribute to local and national public advocacy, social mobilization and behaviour change goals.
• Organizes and manages public events and community engagement sessions for public advocacy and social mobilization for polio eradication and related interventions within the scope of ISD.
• Monitors and evaluates programme activities based on applied communication research and frequent visits to project sites.

Key Outputs:

• Communication materials (HIS in print, photo essays or video formats, photos for social media posts) developed to increase public awareness of child rights & children’s issues particularly in the Southern Region.
• Media outreach undertaken to build UNICEF voice leadership and give visibility to polio eradication efforts and to launch and commemorative events with a regional flavor; and UNICEF support in emergency situations.
• Potential and Strategic partners including decision makers, civil society, academia, youth groups, religious and community leaders at regional level assessed, mapped, engaged and mobilized to support and promote child rights, and adolescent participation.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in communications, journalism, or the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education)
• A minimum of two of relevant professional experience in the planning and management of strategic communication, social mobilization, or development programmes.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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