Under the general guidance of the MENARO Health Specialist (Regional Polio Coordinator) and in close collaboration with the MENARO SBCC and communications advisors, the incumbent will be working as a member of the Incident Management Support Team (IMST), and she/he will be deployed to polio outbreak countries, as a member of Team, according to IMST work plan and GPEI outbreak SOPs. The incumbent will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of behavior change and social mobilization activities in support of the country programmes, with a specific focus on support to areas of communication for polio eradication and for generating demand for and uptake of immunization services and will work on other health interventions as needed.
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, Results
Under the general guidance of the MENARO Health Specialist (Regional Polio Coordinator) and in close collaboration with the MENARO SBCC and communications advisors, the incumbent will be working as a member of the Incident Management Support Team (IMST), and she/he will be deployed to polio outbreak countries, as a member of Team, according to IMST work plan and GPEI outbreak SOPs. The incumbent will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of behavior change and social mobilization activities in support of the country programmes, with a specific focus on support to areas of communication for polio eradication and for generating demand for and uptake of immunization services and will work on other health interventions as needed.
How can you make a difference?
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Support to SBCC strategy design and development:
• Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive SBCC situation analysis of social, cultural, economic, and political issues in the country/region, 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 the SBCC interventions both for polio outbreak response, maintenance and routine immunization strengthening.
• Participate in country programme 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 programme results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies and plans of action for SBCC to promote behavioral and social change.
• Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for SBCC strategies and plans (as a component of polio outbreak SOPs) 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 SBCC activities with UNICEF SP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.
• Participate and provide technical support to COs so SBCC staff is optimally engaged in national EPI planning processes and polio communication activities.
- Implementation of C4D activities:
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult GPEI partners to design SBCC strategies to respond to an outbreak of polio, including formulation, production, and testing materials to organize SBCC events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change, including in humanitarian response.
• Carry out SBCC 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 programme results on children and women’s rights, equity, and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for SBCC events.
• Identify, establish, and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia, and other strategic partners to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests, and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on children’s rights, and measurable changes in social and behavioral outcomes.
• Support polio outbreak response and immunization efforts assessments and implementation of their recommendations.
- Technical and operational support
• Collaborate with COs, RO sector programmes and GPEI partners to contribute to the development of strategies, approaches, policies, and the planning of SBCC social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of polio outbreak response.
• Participate in budget planning and management of programme funds and prepare financial plan for polio SBCC initiatives required to stop polio outbreaks. 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
• Identify, build, and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks; celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of (socially aware) society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for SBCC advocacy to promote UNICEF mission and goals for child rights, social equity, and inclusiveness.
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance SBCC outreach including in humanitarian contexts.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; National UN Communication for Development Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the GPEI, the GAVI and all immunization related planning and preparation of SBCC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
• Develop the communication strategy for polio programme considering key communication practices.
• Contributing to the development of the crisis communication, misinformation strategies and implementation plans in the outbreak countries which encompasses supporting the crisis communication assessment in each country, as well as development and implementation of the national crisis communication and misinformation management strategies.
• Draft a diverse range of written materials including factsheets, newsletters, reports, press releases targeting different audiences and stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of materials for meetings and events.
• Coordinate with regional communication team to develop consolidated, strong visual and written communications products on regional outbreak response efforts and review and advise on current messaging.
• Develop strong media engagement at regional and global level in coordination with regional communication team.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Advanced university degree in communication for development or other social/behavioral sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) or related area, with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.
- An additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
- A minimum eight years’ progressively responsible work experience in communication for development, the planning and management of social communication programmes, including in immunization/polio.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is of added value.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
Works Collaboratively with others (2)
Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
This VA is open to internal UNICEF staff only.
This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/ assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.