Internship, Communication for Development (C4D), UNICEF Djibouti

Under the direct supervision of the CSD Specialist and the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative as well as in collaboration with Programme Chiefs and Officers, the stretch assignment holder will be responsible for implementation and monitoring of current C4D initiatives across all UNICEF programmes, conceptualising C4D strategies and packages of interventions for the next Country Programme and ensuring cross-sectoral linkages of C4D interventions. While the position is located in the CSD section, the incumbent will be expected to work across all programme sections.

Context

UNICEF Office in Djibouti is committed to ensure every child and young person benefits from opportunities to survive, develop and reach their full potential. A special focus of the UNICEF Djibouti Programme is on the most vulnerable groups, including children from the rural areas, children with disabilities, children living in poverty. While various social factors, beliefs and norms affect the realization of children rights in Djibouti, UNICEF undertook concrete steps to explore and better understand them, to support evidence based programming and create a supportive environment for children and their families.

A Communication for Development Strategy in support to Maternal and Child Health was developed in 2014 to address poor family care practices. A pool of C4D trainers are available at national level to build C4D capacity at institutional and community level. In 2017, a new C4D strategy to vaccine uptake and acceptance is available. There is a need to strengthen community participation using community-based approaches already available in-house such as the Programme of promotion of human rights and Life skills. There are 27 Community management communities, relays and health committees and facilitators of the Life skills Programme from local associations and NGOs. Operational research will be undertaken to identify enabling facts and bottlenecks to enhance community participation to support management of community-based kindergartens and retention of girls in schools.

The Office is also part of two new C4D initiatives – the launch of the Playdagogy, education Programme funded by the French Natcom in partnership with Paris 2024 in 2017 and the launch of the Essential Family Practices in 2017.

 Purpose

 Under the direct supervision of the CSD Specialist and the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative as well as in collaboration with Programme Chiefs and Officers, the stretch assignment holder will be responsible for implementation and monitoring of current C4D initiatives across all UNICEF programmes, conceptualising C4D strategies and packages of interventions for the next Country Programme and ensuring cross-sectoral linkages of C4D interventions. While the position is located in the CSD section, the incumbent will be expected to work across all programme sections.

 Main responsibilities and tasks

         Concept Note on Essential Family Practices (EFP): In close cooperation with Programmes, finalize a concept note with a clear plan of actions, with identification of key interventions, partners and stakeholders, resources, M&E framework to support the implementation of a cross-sectoral set of essential family practices in the next country Programme (2018-22). Support initial stages of development of label/branding and other materials etc. and design a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, capturing key expected results (at output and outcome levels), and timeline, indicators to measure project achievements and impact and means of verification.

 ·    Contribute to the organisation of French Natcom and Paris2024 project sites visits and technical support to implement the “Playdagogie” initiative: Ensure project visibility and guide implementing partners in ensuring donor visibility, as per UNICEF and Paris2024 guidelines.

      Support and provide technical advice on the implementation of the initiative, using the ongoing youth empowerment and community mobilisation component of the Life skills programme in schools.   In collaboration with the Youth and adolescent programme, support programmes and implementing partners and integrate the C4D component into the educational Life skills programme. Provide advice on implementation of the Awareness raising and advocacy component of the initiative.

 ·    Communication for Development Plan to enhance community participation for Girls’ Education and ECD: Support technically a national Consultant who will be responsible of developing a C4D plan of action to ensure that institutions, communities, families, children and adolescents have skills and knowledge to prevent girls’ drop-outs based on the results of operational research to identify key bottlenecks, gender stereotypes but also positive community models supportive of girls’ education and early childhood education. The Plan of Action will contribute to stimulating a dialogue at central and local level about gender stereotypes and gender-related norms, empowering parents to use positive educational approaches and should include a Monitoring and Evaluation framework.

 ·        Technical support to build capacity of frontline workers: Organize a training for community management committees in Djibouti city and the regions to enhance community participation and social mobilization on key positive hygiene and sanitation practices. Establish a monitoring and evaluation plan to track and measure progress on behavior change.

 ·         Other relevant C4D programme priorities: Coordinate and supervise current cooperation agreements and contract, under communication unit. Provide guidance for activities conceptualization, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Provide technical support to relevant ministries, systems and structures at central and local levels in the development and appropriate use of C4D/SBCC, creating demand for and access to basic services, and community engagement strategies to advance rights of children and their communities.

 Minimum qualifications and competencies

Education

 Advanced university degree in social and behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required

• Work Experience

 Four years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, communications and public advocacy and/or related areas. International work experience for (IP), National or field work experience (for NO)

• Language Proficiency

•  Fluency in French and English as well as
• Strong French and English writing skills are required;
• Proven ability to conceptualize strategies, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team, interact with colleagues across different programme sections and prepare and manage a budget, contracts, contractors and consultants.

 Competencies of successful candidate

 Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

 Core competencies

• Communication, L2
• Working with People, L1
• Drive for Results, L1

 Functional Competencies

•  Formulating strategies and concepts, L1
• Relating and Networking, L1
• Persuading and Influencing, L1
• Apply Technical Expertise, L1

 How to apply

 Interested staff members should discuss this stretch assignment with their supervisor and obtain the supervisor’s/head of office agreement, send an e-mail application with following subject title “Stretch Assignment, Communication for Development Officer” to waboubaker@unicef.org by COB 26 July 2017. The email should include:

•      Your up-to-date P11, CV or e-recruitment profile
•      Your two latest PERs
•      A signed approval letter from your supervisor
•      A cover letter

Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing office will communicate to reach an agreement on the start date for the recommended staff member.

Duration of the Stretch Assignment:

The duration of the assignment comprises one period of 2 months. In line with the provisions of our policy on short-term assignments, the staff member's salary will continue to be paid by the releasing office during this assignment. If you are travelling from another office to take up this assignment, you will be travelling economy class and will be paid 50% of the DSA for the duration of the assignment.

Candidates considered potentially well matched for the assignment may be contacted for a short interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates.