Communication for Development Officer, NOB, Ankara Turkey (Turkish Nationals Only)

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. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

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.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

In close coordination with the Deputy Representative, the Communication for Development Officer will offer technical support and will help design, form, manage, execute, monitor and evaluate a behavioral change and social mobilization strategy, plan of action, and programme activities to support the overall country programme.

This includes organizing the research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials; developing and enhancing strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and civil society partners; and developing training materials and activities.

Key Expected Results

1. Programme communication strategy and plan of action strategically developed and formulated, and the implementation effectively managed, facilitated and executed for social and behavioural change in support of efficient and effective programme delivery.
2. Culturally relevant programme communication materials designed, pre-tested, and produced in time, meeting requirements and quality standards.
3. Strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society developed and enhanced to promote participation in social and behavioural changes supportive of programme goals.

4. Effective training materials and activities organized, developed and implemented to build capacity in participatory and behaviour communication at various government levels.

    Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Programme communication programme strategy, plan and implementation for behavioural change

Provides technical support and assistance in the development, management and facilitation of the implementation of programme communication strategy, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and promotion for social and behavioural change in support of country programme delivery.

• In collaboration with UNICEF management and decision makers and planners of government, donor organizations and the private sector, the Communication for Development Officer provides technical assistance in and contributes to the development, management and facilitation of  the implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through: (a) behaviour development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development programmes for positive social change.
• Makes viable recommendations on operational strategies, approach, plans, methods and procedures in the areas of participatory communication, social mobilization and behaviour change and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences.

2. Programme communication materials

Provides technical support and assistance in the research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials.

• In collaboration with partners, the Communication for Development Officer carries out or assists in formative research, development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery, including facilitating behaviour change, where necessary.
• Supports the UNICEF global communications objectives and strategies through development of complementary country specific and local community materials.
• Ensures the quality, consistency and appropriateness of communication materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated to local communities, government officials, other partners and the press.

3. Partnerships for social mobilization

Develops and enhances strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society for promotion of participation in social and behavioural changes supportive of programme goals.

• Develops partnerships with various religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists and other organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to orient them on country programme goals and to solicit their involvement in the implementation of the country programme.
• Promotes a better understanding of children's and women's issues by assisting in or managing a country level behaviour change and social mobilization strategy supportive of effective and efficient programme delivery.
• Promotes and influences behaviour development/change at individual/ household levels, social mobilization of civil society organizations and increased community participation in development programmes.

4. Capacity building support

Develops training materials and activities to build capacity for participatory and behaviour change communication.

• Develops training materials and activities to in capacity building in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programme communication intervention, in support of programme sustainability.

5. Coordination and collaboration with government and partners.

Provides effective coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.

• Liaises and coordinates with government counterparts in the development and appropriate use of communication for social development aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action. Provide technical support as required.
• Provides assistance and support to government officials, community leaders, UN, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of programme communication goals and strategies.

6. Monitoring and evaluation

Monitor and evaluate programme activities and prepare monitoring and evaluation reports. Exchange findings, experiences, lessons learned and new methods with partners.

• Monitors and evaluates programme activities on the basis of applied communication research and frequent visits to project sites.
• Analyzes and evaluates data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.  Prepares monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with the established guidelines, methods and procedures. Provides technical advice to programme staff, government officials and other counterparts to coordinate and manage the evaluative elements of country programme milestone meetings, such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.
• Disseminates communication research findings, and ensures exchanges and sharing of experience, lessons learned, best practices, and new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.

7. Budget planning and management of program funds

Contributes to the budget planning and ensure the compliance and the optimal appropriation of allocated programme funds.

• Provide professional input in and contributes to the budget and programme review and planning process. Assists in the establishment of programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance. 
• Reviews the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
• Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds. Improves programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (sociology, anthropology, psychology, health education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research.
• Two years of relevant professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes, including several years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes
• Fluency in English and local working language of the duty

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion

• Integrity

  Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with people

• Drive for results

  Functional Competencies

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Analyzing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Learning and Researching

• Planning and Organizing

  UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.