External Vacancy announcement: Communication for Development Specialist, NOC (FT), Mumbai, India, SAR Post # 82432 (This post is open only to Indian Nationals)

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 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.

Click here to learn more about what makes us proud working for UNICEF!

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. Our workplace policies promote flexible work arrangements, to support all staff in maintaining a healthy life balance, both in and out of the office.

We are the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE

In an effort to measurably improve UNICEF's ability to deliver better results for children, 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. This is why 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.

For more information on UNICEF EDGE Certification, kindly view the video here.

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Job organizational context and Purpose of the Job

The pandemic has made SBCC critical to programme deliverables than ever before. The concentration of the hotspots in high containment zones in the urban areas with gradual spread to rural areas has necessitated to reimagine the programme strategy and geographic co locations. This implies changing behavior at scale addressing population at large. Another critical change in strategy is the role of SBCC to ensure continuity of services (RI, nutrition of young children, adolescents and women), sustain WASH behavior of hand washing of care givers/ others etc. This implies strengthening existing platforms and identifying newer ones for addressing the pandemic. Key to the strategy is the partnership approach (with business houses on transmission prevention) to promote livelihoods, address stigma, child marriage, food security etc. The future of SBCC to academia and professional bodies and its influencing role in the curriculum of medical programmes is an essential part of the job description.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Field Office Maharashtra, the Communication for Development Specialist reports to the Chief Field Office for general guidance and supervision and 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 in accordance with the Country Programme Recommendation and Country Programme Management Plan, focused on achievement of UNICEF's Priorities. 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 State.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities
2. Implementation of C4D activities
3. Technical and operational support
4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities

Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, cultural, economic and political issues in the State. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the C4D component of the Country Programme of Cooperation.

Participate in state programme planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of programme results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies and plans of action for C4D to promote behavioral and social change.

Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the CO) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.

Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities

Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, cultural, economic and political issues in the State. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the C4D component of the Country Programme of Cooperation.

Participate in state programme planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of programme results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies and plans of action for C4D to promote behavioral and social change.

Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the CO) 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 ICO, MTSP, and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response

Technical and operational support

Collaborate with internal CO to contribute to the development of strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of C4D social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of 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 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.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks; to pursue opportunities for C4D advocacy to promote UNICEF mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.

Collaborate with internal CO partners to harmonize, link and coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance C4D outreach including in humanitarian contexts.

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 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 stakeholders (government and non-government) in C4D planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects including in humanitarian settings.

Impact of Results:

The strategic and effective development and implementation of C4D advocacy initiatives and products directly impact on the ability of UNICEF to promote social, political and economic action and changes in behaviors, social attitudes, beliefs, harmful social norms and actions by communities, individuals and society on children’s rights, survival and wellbeing. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable, locally owned and concrete results in improving the survival, development and wellbeing of children in the country.

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

Education****: 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.

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.

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.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as 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...

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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.

UNICEF does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of UNICEF are fraudulent and should be disregarded. Candidates should apply to this position only directly through UNICEF’s careers web site, which is the only official portal for applications.

Remarks:

• This position is based in Mumbai (India).
• Selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.