Communication Specialist (Polio), P4, Kabul, Afghanistan # 90260

Under the general guidance of the Chief Polio, responsible for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote Polio Eradication and to support UNICEF's mission in the country.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a geographically mobile & diverse workforce

Under the general guidance of the Chief Polio, responsible for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote Polio Eradication and to support UNICEF's mission in the country.

How can you make a difference?

You will be responsible for:      

1.         Developing a strategy to get Polio Eradication issues into the public domain and strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, including communication assessment and analysis, development of a communication plan, strategic use of resources and involvement in key programme processes, especially National Emergency Action Plan, reviews and evaluations.as well as monitoring and evaluating its impact.

2.         Developing close collaboration with the mass media through activities such as organizing visits to project sites facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, and utilizes both web-based and traditional media as appropriate to generate and maintain both national and international public interest in polio eradication in Afghanistan and to tell the story of UNICEF's role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

3.         Developing partnerships with individuals, groups and organizations, whose support is essential to the achievement of advocacy and communication objectives, and strengthen their capacity through appropriate advocacy and communication training, access to updated information, supplies and equipment and through experience-sharing.           

4.         Adapting and disseminating advocacy materials from NY, the Regional Office and other polio affected countries to identified target audiences, arranging translation into local languages as necessary. Identifying the need for additional materials/activities, such as radio and television programmes, publications, photographs, websites, etc., to advocate and promote organizational goals within the country, and manages their production and distribution to the target audiences.           

5.         Engaging nationally-known personalities and organizes special events and activities to support key events for the polio eradication programme. Generating public support for special events.           

6.         Assisting HQ and the Regional Office in identifying and obtaining feature stories and other materials to facilitate global/regional advocacy and fund-raising activities.           

7.         Identifying recruiting and supervising technical resources and consultants as necessary for the above activities.           

8.         Advising the Chief Polio Programme and the polio programme team on the effective use of tools of mass communication, including press briefings and conferences and media interviews, to achieve country programme objectives.           

9.         In coordination with the Country Office Communication Specialist, participating in advocacy activities by planning visits of goodwill ambassadors, high profile and/or VIP visits and Executive Board members, including preparation of information materials (e.g., press releases, programme summaries, country fact sheets and media kits), and necessary logistic arrangements.           

10.       Developing a work plan for polio eradication communication activities, monitors compliance and provides support and guidance to ensure objectives are met. This includes performance planning, monitoring and appraisal. Plans and monitors the use of communication budgetary resources.

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations; or equivalent professional work experience in the communication area, combined with a university degree in a related field.

  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• A minimum of Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience in communication, print and broadcast media or interactive digital media, four years of which should be in developing countries, and two at the management level. 
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Candidates who already applied don't need to apply again.