Chief of Communication, P5, Nairobi, Kenya, post #98801

UNICEF is looking for a candidate who will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of a communication for development strategy in support of the country programme and for the conceptualization, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of an advocacy and communication strategy to promote respect for children’s and women’s rights, and support UNICEF’s mission in the country. In addition, the incumbent is responsible to foster and support strategic partnerships with a variety of social actors like civil society organizations, opinion leaders, artists, the media and private sector.

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 voice

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The incumbent will lead a team of Communication for Development, Advocacy and Partnership specialists under the overall supervision of the Representative and guidance from the Representative in areas of advocacy and partnership.

How can you make a difference?

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Policy Direction: Set policy directions for communication for development teams and ensure the communication programme is in line with Country Office and Strategic Plan 2014-2017 priorities, CCCs and UN reform.  

• Provide expert advice and assistance to the UNICEF Senior Managers and government counterparts on attitude and behaviour change modalities that contribute to changing mind-sets and are culturally sensitive and tailored to address changing programme contexts.

1. Vision and Expert Advice on Strategy, Plans and Implementation: Provide vision, expert advice and assistance to communication for development and programme teams. 

• Make viable recommendations and decisions on appropriate communication for development strategies to achieve the organization's global goals, and to support UNICEF's mission in the country.
• In collaboration with UNICEF management and decision makers and planners of government, donor organizations and the private sector, the Chief Communication for Development oversees, manages, leads, and facilitates the formulation and implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through: (a) behaviour development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development programmes for positive social change.

1. Operational Processes and Plans: Provide expert advice, guidance and leadership in the management of operations process and plans of communication for development.

• Make major decisions and recommendations on operational strategies, guide operational processes, methodologies, approaches, and establish plans, to achieve participatory communication, social mobilization and behaviour change. Make operational decisions on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences, technical resources required, allocation of financial resources, as well as time-frame for various activities, in support of the achievement of country programme and organizational goals. 

1. Advocacy, Communication and Partnership: Provide technical leadership for developing, managing and monitoring Country office strategy and implementation plan for advocacy, communication and partnership 

• Under the guidance of the Representative and in close coordination with the Deputy Representative ensure that the Country Office has a clear communication strategy and associated work plan to get children's issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF's mission and objectives, and enhance the organization's credibility and brand. In addition, the country office has a well maintained and continually developed contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, web, photo etc. including social media – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media to communicate the story of UNICEF's cooperation.

1. Networking, partnerships and corporate engagement: Initiate, guide, lead, coordinate, facilitate and support the development/ strengthening of key partnerships and corporate engagement.

• Coordinate and collaborate with key NGO and bilateral partners and government counterparts for promotion of partnerships and alliances in the areas of behaviour change, community participation/empowerment and social mobilization. Coordinate and collaborate with the UN Country Team and UN communication counterparts for effective advocacy and communication for DaO. Expand and further the current work with private sector to ensure the Children’s Rights & Business Principles are being championed through their business activity.
• Develop and lead the Kenya Country office visibility strategy and coordinate the visits of donors, celebrities, National Committees and other delegations.

1. Promotion of Appropriate Use of Communication Social Development: Provide expert advice on appropriate use of communication and approach for social development, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action.

• Provide expert advice, coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.
• Collaborate with government officials, community leaders, UN, and bilateral agencies, NGOs, private sector and philanthropy in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of programme communication goals and strategies.

1. Capacity Building for Sustainability: Exercise effective leadership and provide expert advice on capacity building of communication for development, advocacy and partnership teams.

• Ensure that C4D and advocacy activities are implemented in coordination, oversee and advise on the development of goals, strategy, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of communication for development intervention, in support of programme sustainability.

1. Resource Mobilization and Management: Participate in the budget planning & review process, and ensure the optimal resource allocation, appropriation of allocated programme funds and the compliance with rules and regulations.

• Participate in and contribute to the budget and programme review and planning process. Establish programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
• Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds and mobilize resources; improve programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Oversee the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly and effectively coordinated, monitored and liquidated.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An Advanced University Degree (Master's)* in Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Advocacy, Journalism, Public Relations or other related fields or disciplines.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in communication and/or media,  advocacy, partnerships and resource mobilization, print, broadcast, new media. Experience in UN organization or NGO/IGO would be an asset.
• International work experience in developing countries is required. Experience in developed countries would be an asset.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency situations would be an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.
  *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.

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 competencies required for this post are:

• Leading and Supervising - Level III
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Level III
• Analyzing - Level II
• Relating and Networking - Level III
• Persuading and Influencing - Level III

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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.