TA Communication for Development Specialist (C4D), P-3, Sana'a, Yemen #104400

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, a champion

At UNICEF Yemen, we are focusing on delivering lifesaving services and supplies for the most vulnerable children and their families. The conflict in Yemen has taken a serious toll on civilians and has exacerbated pre-crisis humanitarian needs. Millions of Yemenis are facing severe food insecurity and malnutrition. The conflict has also destroyed infrastructure and damaged public services. A key achievement of UNICEF Yemen has been to scale-up and improve assistance where it is most needed. We have built mobile health and nutrition teams, are tackling cholera and malnutrition, and are addressing challenges in education, child protection, and overall humanitarian response. Challenges remain, though, and we need dynamic and results-driven people to join our team and help us make sure every child has a champion.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication for Development (C4D), the C4D Specialist is responsible for providing technical and operational support in the Yemen’s cholera and related response. Key activities include development and implementation of a systematic and evidence-based strategy and process for C4D interventions to promote measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization through effective communication, engagement, empowerment and participation children, caregivers and decision stakeholders, partners constituents, communities and civil society to achieve successful and sustainable concrete (program/project) results on children’s rights, survival and well being in Yemen.

Support to strategy design and development of C4D interventions

• Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive C4D situation analysis, surveys and other assessments of social, cultural, economic and other determinants of an effective cholera response in Yemen including through national/subnational working groups or committees.
• Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning of a social and behavior change components of the emergency Cholera response  
• Participate in country program planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of program results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies and plans of action for C4D to promote behavioral and social change.
• Prepare or provide quality assurance on public information and materials and related documentations for C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programs) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of C4D activities with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.

Implementation of C4D activities

• Identify, build, maintain and strengthen partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration and engagement with strategic partners including local authorities, executive units, local councils, community and religious leaders and others to ensure buy-in and smooth implementation of the Cash Transfer Programme and to promote UNICEF mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness in Yemen
• Coordinate the implementation of high quality and innovative community and public engagement and participation through integrated C4D approaches aimed at mobilizing and garnering household, community and public support, acceptance and adoption of critical lifesaving, care and protective practices
• Provide technical inputs and quality control in the development, testing, production, distribution and dissemination of  appropriate information, education and communication materials for maximum audience reach and impact in consultation and collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Carry out C4D advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc. to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable program results on children and women’s rights, equity and well being.

Technical and operational support

• Collaborate with internal CO, RO and/or RO colleagues to contribute to the development of strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of C4D social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programs/projects implementation and delivery of results, including humanitarian response.
• Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for C4D advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.
• Participate in budget planning and management of program funds and prepare financial plan for C4D initiatives. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance C4D outreach including in humanitarian and emergency response
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency discussions, Working Groups, Clusters etc in formulating and articulating C4D plans and outcomes and in disseminating key results and lessons learnt for effective preparedness and response.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms and networks for C4D that are appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.

• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, and disseminate these products to key audiences including donors and partners.
• Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners (government and non-government) in C4D planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programs/projects including in humanitarian settings.

Qualification of Successful Candidate

• Education: An Advanced University Degree in social and behavioral science, public health, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, or other related social science field is required.
• Work Experience:  A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, outbreak and emergency response communications and development, public advocacy and/or related areas at the international and/or large organization some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply

Remarks

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

* Please note that this 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.