Temporary Appointment: Communication Specialist (multimedia), P-4, Kabul Afghanistan (364 days)

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 for the job

The role of the Communications Specialist (multimedia) is to use communication as a key part of the effort to eradicate polio in Afghanistan. The purpose of the job is to work with partners to devise and implement thoughtful communications interventions in support of polio eradication.

The successful applicant will achieve this goal by using data to produce content and messages that makes Afghans more receptive to vaccination to move from creating ordinary Public Service Announcement (PSAs) to communications initiatives which are extraordinary, i.e., that create knowledge, that nurture understanding, that convince caregivers to vaccinate sleeping, sick and newborn children, evoke sympathy and pride in the work of vaccinators and social mobilizers, and that creatively instill a sense of national support in eradication efforts.

The Communications Specialist (multimedia) will supervise the creation of multimedia products and ensure video coverage of activities related to the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and facilitate research on the effectiveness of PEI PSA materials. This person will be responsible for all aspects of production of multimedia programs, including supervising the creation of public service announcements, video news stories, photography essays and social media products for local, regional and international use. They will develop and maintain key working relationships with media production companies, the media sector in Afghanistan, and with partner organizations used in advocacy products. They will take the lead in planning, scripting, editing and overseeing the production of complex communications campaigns (public information for a region, etc.). They will also play a role in shaping the Communications Strategy and ensuring that polio remains an important news story in the Afghan media. The role will require working closely with local reporters to create monthly messaging plans as well as following up with data collection on earned media.

Coordinate with the Social Mobilization Specialist and work with partner organizations to develop ways to implement campaign and to incorporate campaign messages and themes into all relevant events and products. Ensure that editorial focus of campaign messaging is integrated uses new digital media forms and opportunities as well as new methods, including linking with UNICEF digital platforms and tools. Plan and develop outreach activities with PEI partners and other civil society advocates. Create periodic status reports on multimedia strategy and outcomes. Make recommendations regarding planning needs. Evaluate results and impacts of communications activities. Conduct needs assessment trips to regions to review quality and applicability of material. Assist in the day to day operation of UNICEF polio communications efforts and of communications performed by Emergency Operation Center (EOC).

Key functions

1. Take the lead in development and maintenance of the polio section’s public multimedia strategy and outputs.

• Participate in development of scripts and shortlists for all new polio TV and radio ads.
• Ensure PSAs are in line with messaging and goals of PEI program.
• Oversee hiring of talent who will feature in all PSAs, including with partners.
• Ensure direction and recording of PSA material are creative and capable of speaking to key target groups including national audiences and caregivers in Humanitarian Requirements Document (HRD) regions.
• Ensure implementation of the Audio Visual strategy by applying the best practices, techniques, technologies and approaches.
• In consultation with Polio Communications Specialist, propose program formats and innovations. Prepare standard operating procedures for digital and other media productions.
• Ensure buy-in from EOC members.
• Oversee focus group evaluations so that ad messages are as effective as possible and are capable of increasing knowledge and engaging caregivers in key Low Performing Districts (LPD).
• Provide guidance and supervision to general services and other junior staff of the unit. Oversee related expenditures and make sure that work has been completed as contracted. Provide other related duties as required.

2. Facilitate the production of locally relevant Information Education Communication (IEC) materials by working with PEI partners in the regions

• In coordination with partners, the Social Mobilization Officer, regional polio officers and PEI partners, develop IEC materials that address knowledge gaps, including banners, leaflets, billboards, murals, etc.
• Coordinate the testing of such materials with focus groups and local partners
• Liaise with Monitoring and Evaluation to incorporate best practices into the production of new products.
• Attend regular meetings at EOC with Polio partners and strive to earn buy-in for new products.

3. Produce multimedia products for insider audience of donors and partners that capture the complexity and accomplishments of the PEI program.

• Organize and supervise missions to regions to create multimedia products that capture the internal work being done to eradicate polio in Afghanistan
• Oversee the deployment of multimedia staff and liaise closely with partner staff to ensure that video reporting missions are carried out smoothly.
• Script and edit (per suggestions of Communications Specialist and PEI partners) video and other multimedia outputs relating to work of PEI program
• Oversee editing, subtitling of end products.
• Collect data for monthly infographics and for presentations to Emergency Operations Center meetings.
• Liaise with HQ to produce material relevant for varied international audiences.

4. Work closely with contractors to engage influencers and craft “paid” radio programming

• Liaise regularly with WHO and UNICEF staff to identify messages and stories that dynamically tell the story of Polio to Afghan audiences.
• Organize regular briefings and trainings throughout regions with Afghan media with whom UNICEF has contracts and agreements.
• Collaborate on talking points, press releases and monthly communications matrix.

5. Contribute to the overall strategic direction of the work of the Polio Eradication Program (PEI), with appropriate strategic framing underpinned by a sustained innovation and grassroots research strategy that delivers the mandate of the section on the cutting edge of associated communication practices, techniques, channels, and approaches. 

• Review proposed multimedia products with PEI communications working group and make amendments where appropriate
• Conduct field missions to test new material with focus groups composed of PEI staff and balanced selections of local residents in order to improve quality of material.
• Propose multimedia products that appropriately address knowledge and beliefs of residents of different regions of Afghanistan. 

6. Plan and monitor the multimedia work and deliverable in the context of the program’s Communication Action Plan and the PEI’s project commitments.

• Create calendar for roll out of multimedia products.
• Supervise creation of all multimedia products, ensuring that deliverables are of high quality and on-message.
• Devise an appropriate distribution system for national audiences and regional and international partners.
• Act as a focal point for multimedia production, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to various inquires.

7. Serve as the PEI focal point on actions pertaining to advocacy products relating to celebrity influencers, including religious figures and athletes.

8. Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

1. Education:

Master degree or equivalent in communications, journalism, media studies, multimedia production.

*First university degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

2. Experience:

• At least 8 years of experience in the field of journalism, multi-media production or advertising.
• Proven expertise in the production of TV and radio ads, information leaflets, video storytelling, devising communications strategies, liaising with media, and managing focus-group discussions.
• Proven expertise in video editing, scripting. Proven expertise in managing teams of TV and radio technicians.
• Familiarity in leading focus group discussions.
• Proven expertise orchestrating focused, multi-pronged earned media campaigns.
• Proven experience working on tight deadlines in multi-media production in Afghanistan would be an asset.
• Experience with UNICEF would be an asset.
• Experience liaising and building relationship with partner organizations sought.

3. Language:

Fluency in English is required. 

Competencies of Successful Candidate

1. Core Values

• Commitment to UNICEF’s mission, vision and values;
• Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.
• Integrity

2. Core Competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

3. Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality multimedia products.
• Highly developed communications skills
• Ability to adapt and innovate as new communications challenges emerge.
• Technology awareness: fully conversant with rapidly evolving technologies and their application to public health information campaigns
• Ability to write engagingly for TV and radio
• Demonstrated understanding of communications for behavioral change and using media as a tool for local development.
• Familiarity with global health issues;
• Committed to the goal of gender equality in the hiring of local contractors and support staff.
• Ability to function in a team environment;
• Ability to travel throughout Afghanistan.
• Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
• Strong initiative and is comfortable to pro-actively reach out to new and existing external partners;
• Performance-oriented and focused on results;
• Persistence and willingness to follow through; Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility

To view our competency framework, please click here.

Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that Kabul is a non-family duty station.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service