International UNV Advocacy Officer (Immunization)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in Panama City, in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

The Communication and Advocacy team, leads the regional office’s communication and advocacy efforts, collaborating across sections and supporting country offices to get children’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Immunization is one of the Communication and Advocacy team’s thematic areas of work, as for many years, Latin America and the Caribbean had one of the highest childhood immunization rates in the world, but now it has one of the lowest. In the last 10 years, the region had the biggest decline in childhood immunization coverage, leaving 1 in 4 children unprotected from deadly diseases. That is why, it is critical that UNICEF and partners work with governments to regain lost ground and ensure that all children are vaccinated.

Under the supervision of the Communication Specialist, the UN volunteer will support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional advocacy efforts related to immunization. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at the regional office and country office level.

Duties include: 1. Advocacy strategy development and planning:  Assist in the development of advocacy strategies or plans to achieve SMART outcomes. 2. Advocacy strategy implementation:  Support the implementation of communication and advocacy strategies or plans, contributing to a range of tactics, such as: the production of advocacy assets, writing advocacy briefs, developing narratives, and delivering creative campaign activations. 3. Advocacy M&E:  Support the establishment of baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities; coordinate social media listening; produce and disseminate advocacy M&E results on a regular basis. 4. Project and budget support:  Support the day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, developing and tracking project plans to ensure progress and address obstacles and bottlenecks.  Support effective budget management, projections and tracking. 5. Develop capacity building in Advocacy:  Document and disseminate advocacy good practices to build internal UNICEF capacities in advocacy. 6. Stakeholder engagement:  Research current and potential advocacy partners. Assist and maintain a database of formal and informal partnerships and networks whose support is essential to achieving advocacy objectives.  Support the flow of information to key stakeholders. 7.Others: Undertake other key responsibilities to support the performance and impact of the Communication and Advocacy Section as required.

Core Values attributes  Care  Respect  Integrity  Trust  Accountability Core competencies skills  Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)  Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)  Drive to achieve results for impact (1)  Innovates and Embraces Change (1)  Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)  Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)  Works Collaboratively with others (1)

advocacy or campaigning, at a national, regional or global level.  Demonstrated experience in supporting and/or managing projects to completion.  Knowledge of international development, humanitarian issues and children’s rights.  Experience working for an advocacy or campaigning organization e.g. international or national NGO, UN or other multilateral organization is an asset.  Experience in training and facilitation is an asset.  Experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean is an asset.

Panama is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that it is said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%. The currency is the Panama Balboa, pegged 1:1 with the US dollar. Highspeed internet is readily available in Panama City.

Panama is a unique country. It provides for interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness. Flexibility and the ability and willingness to adapt to local conditions are essential.