Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: India
Closing date:
16 Feb 2017If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, 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. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Position
The Chief Communication for Development (C4D) reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Specialist is responsible for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for C4D as an integral part of program development, planning and implementation to promote measureable behavioral and social change/mobilization through communication, engagement, empowerment and participation of stakeholders, partners constituents, communities and civil society to achieve successful and sustainable concrete (program/project) results on children's rights, survival and well-being in the country.
Summary of Key Functions/ Accountabilities
1. Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities
Conduct, participate and/or manage a comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, cultural, communication, economic and political issues including gender inequalities and discrimination in the country/region. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to establish comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the C4D component of the Country Program of Cooperation (and UNDAF).Participate in country program planning and reviews to determine/discuss 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 program results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action for C4D to promote behavioral and social change.Lead knowledge management initiatives to support evidence-based C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programs) 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 C4D activities with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN system development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.2. Implementation of C4D activities
Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based strategies and formulate, produce and test materials and/or to organize C4D events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.Confirm/approve the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to key audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend and/or select appropriate multiple media and communication format and platforms (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web etc.). Manage the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans.Carry out C4D 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 program results on children and women's rights, equity and well-being. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D events. ldentify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia, research and implementing organizations and other strategic partners and networks 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.Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including country program previews, meetings and mid-terms annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of C4D on UNICEF and CO Strategic Plans/Goals. Take timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.3. Technical and operational support
Set policy directions and ensure that C4D strategies are in line with India Country Office Program priorities and with the common result areas for UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia as well as the Global Strategic Plan priorities and CCCs.Collaborate with internal CO, RO and/or RO colleagues to provide expert advise on the development of evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of C4D Social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programs/projects implementation and delivery of results.Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for C4D advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.Participate in budget planning and management of program funds and submit financial plan for C4D initiatives. Approve the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.Ensure that strategic planning processes, sectoral and cross-sectoral C4D strategies, partners C4D strategies and other relevant processes conform to evidence-based quality and technical standards as defined by UNICEF's programme guidance.Provide overall management and financial oversight over the implementation of C4D programme in Delhi and in States with regular monitoring of budget and programme implementation, expiring grants, and DCTs, etc.Engage in fundraising efforts, to ensure that sufficient funds are available for program implementation, through providing a consolidated approach and vision towards key results and outcomes for children.4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia, research and implementing organizations, media and communication networks, celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of (socially aware) society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for C4D 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 strategies and messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance C4D outreach and impact.Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; UN Communication for Development Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF planning and preparation of C4D advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.Liaise with relevant government counterparts, academia, UN, and bilateral agencies and NGOs to strengthening social sector systems' capacity for demand generation and for influencing positive changes in social norms and harmful social practices.5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for C4D that are appropriatelavailable for the CO context and audience.Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in C4D practice, and influence national and local policies and investments in C4D for sustainable results.Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/localpartners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.Organizes/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/government and non-government partners in evidence-based C4D planning, implementation and evaluation in Support of programs/projects.Qualifications of a Successful Candidate
An Advanced university degree (Master's) in social/behavioural sciences, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.Additional training in Social Norms, integrating gender concerns in development policy and planning, C4D, behavior analysis, formative research, and/or evaluation of communication interventions is an asset. Afirst level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field (as identified above) in conjunction with at least 12 years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of journalism, communications, external relations, publicaffairs, public relations or corporate Communications, may be taken in lieu of the advanced university degree.A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively professional experience inareas of social development program planning, communications and public advocacy and/or related areas at the international and/or large organization, some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required.
Relevant experience in related areas (as identified above) in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.Competencies of a Successful Candidate
Core Values
CommitmentDiversity and InclusionIntegrityCore competencies
Communication - Level IIIWorking with People - Level IIIDrive for Results - Level IIIFunctional Competencies
Leading and Supervising - Level IIIFormulating Strategies and Concepts - Level IIIRelating and Networking - Level IIIPersuading and Influencing - Level IIIApplying Technical Expertise - Level IIEntrepreneurial Thinking - Level IIITo view our competency framework, please clickhere.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=502460