Innovations Consultant (U-Report), Advocacy & Communication Section, Islamabad (For Pakistani Nationals Only) Req. # 508134

U-Report: PakAvaz is a flagship innovation project of UNICEF Pakistan, that maximizes the existing and potential reach of technology to fundamentally shift how children and adult community members in Pakistan access information, express their opinion on key social issues and how that information is amplified up to service providers, Government and other key stakeholders. The consultant will coordinate its implementation and other RapidPro-based innovation programming with UNICEF programme sections in line with the strategy developed by the Country Office. The consultant will provide support in managing the platform including development of polls in coordination with relevant programme teams, website management, media strategy implementation, partners’ management and liaising with internal and external coordination committees to scale-up U-Report: PakAvaz.

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Purpose of the Assignment:

U-Report: PakAvaz is a flagship innovation project of UNICEF Pakistan, that maximizes the existing and potential reach of technology to fundamentally shift how children and adult community members in Pakistan access information, express their opinion on key social issues and how that information is amplified up to service providers, Government and other key stakeholders. The consultant will coordinate its implementation and other RapidPro-based innovation programming with UNICEF programme sections in line with the strategy developed by the Country Office. The consultant will provide support in managing the platform including development of polls in coordination with relevant programme teams, website management, media strategy implementation, partners’ management and liaising with internal and external coordination committees to scale-up U-Report: PakAvaz. 

U-Report Manager will coordinate implementation of U-Report: PakAvaz platform in line with the strategy developed by the country office. The U-Report manager will be responsible for providing leadership in managing the platform including development of polls in coordination with relevant programme teams, overseeing implementation of the campaign in new and old districts, website management, media strategy implementation, partners management and liaising with internal and external coordination committees to scale up U-Report Pakavaz.

To make a difference, you will be accountable for the following tasks and deliverables:

Assignment Tasks:

U-Report: PakAvaz requires a dedicated person who can work with programmatic teams across UNICEF Pakistan to scale-up the platform. The platform requires unique innovative technical and coordination skills to manage the project and take it to scale in collaboration with multiple partners. There are currently no staff available with the time, skills and local knowledge on running the programme, doing timely analysis of data, engaging with field partners to complete these assignments, hence why additional assistance is required urgently. Over the past five months through the presence of a manager for U-Report, the workplan has been implemented smoothly and in a timely manner. This required 

• • Timely coordination within units and field offices
  • Ensuring training materials are developed on time
  • Trainings are monitored in selected districts ensuring that UNICEF policies are followed
  • Trainings and community dialogues are conducted with youth, community leaders and local audiences and
  • Poll results are shared with relevant sections and community leaders in an effective manner ensuring that U-Report objectives are being clearly met.

1. Coordinate Weekly polls on U-Report: PakAvaz and develop analytical reports for each in collaboration with relevant programme sections. Liaising with programme sections to support their U-Report needs.

2. Organize and host a visiting mission from Gender Fund coordinator & HQ including setting up meetings, field visits for the Gender Innovation mission.

3. Manage partnerships with youth-led organizations and develop other strategic partnerships for scale-up.

4. Coordinate U-Report: PakAvaz Internal Coordination Committee and the External Governance Group and Youth Committee in Sindh.

5. Coordinate and implement media strategy for U-Report PakAvaz.

6. Co-organize youth engagement activities with Advocacy and Communications section.

7. Support in the organization of UNICEF Child Day event and two youth focused events incorporating U-Report.

Expected Deliverables:

1. 12 polls and 3 live chats (2-3 per month) are launched and analytical reports (2 pager) developed through U-Report platform. Poll results shared for each poll.

2. Mission organized and completed as planned and submit report.

3. - Oversee completion of all activities with Pakistan Boy Scouts association, school of leadership and other youth organizations and    networks (Gender innovation challenge) and submit final report.

- Completion/Trip reports of 10 master trainings of U-Report leaders at community level in collaboration with partner organization.

- Completion report of 10 large scale youth camps in U-Report PakAvaz districts.

4. - One meeting of the Internal Coordination Committee organized.

    - One meeting of External Coordination Committee and one meeting of Youth Committee in Sindh organized and co-led.

    - U-Report PakAvaz Strategy based on lessons learnt from community response updated.

5. Four media content each month developed for social media channels.

6. Seven MHM innovation challenge projects successfully completed and targets met.

7. UNICEF child day event organized as planned. Two other youth focused events incorporating U-Report organized as planned.

Anticipated Travel Itinerary:

 The consultant will be required to travel locally within Pakistan.         

Estimated Duration of Contract:

Starting from: November, 2017 till May, 2018

Qualifications and Experience of a Successful Candidate:

• Master’s degree, ideally in public policy, communications, journalism, international development, or a related field;
• At least four years of project management experience with heavy communications and/or planning and monitoring focus. A first university degree and two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree;
• Proven experience working at all levels of project deployment and at all points of a project life-cycle;
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience in consensus building and in motivating cross-functional teams to meet ambitious project goals and timelines;
• Experience in creating or managing content and communications materials for engaging young people is a strong plus;
• Experience with website usability/mobile website usability is a strong plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships;
• A history of working with local NGOs in Pakistan and managing multiple stakeholders;
• Ability to travel at short notice and occasionally to remote locations;
• Past work experience with UNICEF and in particular UNICEF Pakistan is advantageous.

Competencies of Successful Candidate: 

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking;
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals;
• Has good leadership; co-ordinates group activities;
• Analyses and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources;
• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across the organization;
• Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

Language Proficiency

• Excellent English ability; must be able to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in written and oral form. Fluency in Urdu is also require.

Interested in finding out more?  

You will have a rewarding experience working with a dynamic, diverse and committed staff who are making a difference in saving lives and building a better future for Every Child in Pakistan.   

To know more about UNICEF’s work in Pakistan, visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan

Videos from Pakistan can be viewed on YouTube and Vimeo

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. 

NOTE:
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

- HEC Attested degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees.