Dan Royal Job/Vacancies

Communication for Development Specialists - Immunization/Polio, L-3, Niamey, Niger (TA)

Since 1988 and the creation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, major efforts have been undertaken to eradicate polio worldwide. The investment has been successful and the incidence of polio has been reduced by more than 99%. However, in spite of all the investments and progress achieved, polio virus circulation has not been stopped yet in a few endemic countries. Further, polio has periodically been reintroduced into countries that had once stopped transmission.

In 2009, the West and Central Africa region is facing a surge of polio outbreaks that require an urgent response. A total of 16 out of 24 countries in West and Central Africa support intensive polio eradication activities.To bring these outbreaks under control and prevent further spread of the virus, additional efforts and investments are urgently needed. 

Given the importance of C4D to inform, mobilize and promote behaviour change and increase demand for immunization, it is critical to strengthen the capacity of UNICEF Country Offices to lead and coordinate effective communication and social mobilization interventions to improve the quality of the polio response. In the past years, support has been provided to countries to revise, improve and reinforce evidence-based and measurable communication plans and provide regular updates to WCARO and HQ on progress, challenges and next steps. UNICEF programmes have emphasized political and civil society engagement at national level to support polio programmes and help communicate health information to the communities. In light of the current rise in polio, further investments must be made to intensify and reinforce the quality of the communication response provided.

In this context, UNICEF will recruit a communication specialist to support efforts to strengthen national capacity to accelerate results in the field of increased immunization and polio eradication. The communication specialist will be based in Niger and will undertake missions to support the four other high priority countries.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:The C4D Specialist for polio will be based in Niger (Niamey). Scope of her/his work is to reinforce programming capacities of Country Offices and national key partners for the planning, implementation, M&E and reporting of C4D in support of the polio programme. 

The specialist will have a subregional mandate to cover other re/infected and at risk countries in the Region: Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin and Togo

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESUnder the supervision of the Regional C4D for EPI/Polio specialist based in Dakar and in close collaboration with the UNICEF Country Representative and country teams (C4D and immunization) and with the two other C4D colleagues based in the region, s/he will be responsible for assisting with overall management of the identified UNICEF CO C4D for polio portfolio. More specifically s/he will be completing the following tasks:

1. Ensure that a C4D national communication plan for polio for each country is developed or finalized, budgeted and implemented, with a focus on:
• Analysis of high risk groups
• Clear communication objectives and behavioural outcomes
• Strategies and activities to support meeting these objectives
• Designation of responsibilities among partner agencies
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Reporting on progress and according to the polio communication indicators adopted in the region
Ensure that the reinforcement of communication for routine immunization remains part of the strategy developed.
2. Develop data management and documentation mechanisms that will facilitate reporting, evidence and data collection as well as analysis for guiding programme planning, monitoring and evaluation, and to share lessons learned with partners and UNICEF WCARO and HQ.
3. Provide capacity building including training on C4D for polio to national counterparts at central and local levels as well as to other partners involved in polio eradication programmes.
4. Oversee the establishment (or revitalization) of committees for C4D for polio involving key stakeholders. In each country two types of committees will be supported; one at the central level with responsibility for the overall communication strategy development, and others at local levels with a coordination and supervision mandate.
5. Promote partnerships on polio eradication between governmental, aid institutions (such as WHO, CDC, Rotary, USAID, etc.) and donors at local, national and regional levels.
6. Advocate with National and local authorities for political engagement in polio eradication and for the endorsement of behaviour and social change communication as a key strategy.   
7. Receive and share updates on C4D approaches and innovations and promote their adaptation to communication for polio.
8. Serve as C4D subregional liaison for bordering countries. Help coordination among countries and international counterparts for synchronised polio campaigns.
9. Liaise and report regularly with RO on achievements and bottlenecks and provide monthly reports to both RO and UNICEF HQ.
10. Perform reporting as required for programming funding and assistance requests.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT: 

a) EDUCATION
Advanced university degree in communication for development or in the social/behavioural sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education), with emphasis on strategic communication planning, participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.

b) WORK EXPERIENCE
Five years progressively responsible work experience in strategic communication design or the planning and management of social development programmes, including three years in developing countries, with practical experience in the application of communication planning processes to specific programmes. Experience in C4D related to immunization is an asset.

c) LANGUAGES
Fluency in English and French required.

d) COMPETENCIES
• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication for development, adult learning, indigenous media, community organization and participation. Knowledge of the use and application of channels of communication such as community radio, theatre for development, etc.
• Training in strategic communication planning, social and behavioural analysis, participatory research and evaluation of communication interventions.
• Proven skills in communication, networking, advocacy and negotiation.
• Proven experience in social data methods and analysis, including participatory and qualitative methods such as Participatory Action Research, Appreciative Inquiry, Focus Group Discussion, etc.
• Knowledge of the social, political and economic environment of West and Central Africa. A working experience in WCAR related to C4D/immunization issues is an asset.
• Ability to organize and implement training.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.

If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send a detailed curriculum vitae in English, AND a duly completed United Nations Personal History form (available atwww.unicef.org/employ), quoting VN-10-C4D to: . Interested candidates are also asked to complete the Candidate Self Assessment Form. Applications should be received by 19 February 2010. Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. The successful candidate will be offered a temporary appointment at the L-3 level for a period of one year.

UNICEF’s salary and benefits package is based on the United Nations Common System; visit www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances for further information.