Deadline: 7 December 2015
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Communication for Development Specialist in Niamey, Niger.
UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
Key Jobs Responsibilities
The Communication for Development Specialist will perform the following functions-
- Designs, manages, and facilitates the implementation of programme communication strategy, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and promotion for social and behavioral change in support of country programme delivery.
- In collaboration with UNICEF management and decision makers and planners of government, donor organizations and the private sector, the Communication for Development Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through: (a) behavior 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.
- Makes viable recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of participatory communication, social mobilization and behavior change and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences.
- Organizes the research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials.
- In collaboration with partners, the Communication for Development Specialist organizes and manages the formative research, development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery, including facilitating behavior change, where necessary.
- Supports the UNICEF global communications objectives and strategies through development of complementary country specific and local community materials.
- Ensures the quality, consistency and appropriateness of communication materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated to local communities, government officials, other partners and the press.
- Develops and enhances strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society for promotion of participation in social and behavioral changes supportive of programme goals.
- Promotes a better understanding of children’s and women’s issues by assisting in or managing a country level behavior change and social mobilization strategy supportive of effective and efficient programme delivery.
- Promotes and influences behavior development/change at individual/ household levels, social mobilization of civil society organizations and increased community participation in development programmes.
- Develops training materials and activities to build capacity for participatory and behavior change communication.
- Provides effective coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.
- Coordinates with government counterparts in the development and appropriate use of communication for social development aimed at both individual behavior change and collective action. Provide technical support as required.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Advanced university degree in the social/behavioral sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behavior development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research.
- A first level University degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with eight years of relevant work experience in social norms and behavior change communication field or a direct related field may be taken in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
- Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes, including two years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
- Fluency in French and English is required.
- Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications through online process.
For more information, please visit UNICEF.
