DUTY STATION: Senegal
Section/Division: Country programme
Level: L4
Duration: 1 year
Title: Programme Communication Specialist / Communication for Development
PURPOSE OF POST: Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative and in close collaboration with the Chiefs of Child Survival, Basic and Quality Education, Child protection and Social Policy clusters the Programme Communication Specialist / Communication for Development is responsible for assisting UNICEF Country Office and their counterparts in the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of behaviour and social change communication strategies.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Provide technical support to identified clusters, development partners and national governments in the design and implementation of communication plans of action aiming at: (a) behaviour and social change at individual/household and community levels in key behaviours related to child survival and development with a special focus on the adoption of the basket of four Essential Family Practices; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) Increased community participation in child progammes.
2. Provide guidance to the country office clusters to organize/manage participatory, community-based research and documentation. Disseminate communication research findings; ensure exchange of experience and new methods to government officials, programme staff and other UNICEF partners.
3. In collaboration with partners, organize/manage participatory, community-based research, development and testing of socially relevant communication strategies and approaches to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.
4. Provide support the country office clusters in the development of effective partnerships with social networks, leaders’ networks, decision makers, mass media organizations and other local communication networks, to orient them in developing participatory communication for social and behaviour change for child survival and development
5. Advise the Country Office in the identification of local and international institutions and consultants that can support activities in programme communication
6. Maintain and up date the information and documentation relevant to C4D / ACSD and actively participate at the level of the UNICEF Regional Technical Resource Network.
7. Develop training materials and facilitate workshops to build the Co’s staff capacity in social and behaviour change communication in support of programme sustainability.
8. Support COs to implement a M&E system for C4D in order to document the program implementation and identify
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:
Education:
Advanced university degree in the social/behavoural sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, community-based development) with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research, training and impact evaluation of communication interventions.
Work Experience:
Eight years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including four years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes. A work experience in the Human-rights based approach programming applied to community participation and an experience in a West Africa would be assets.
Critical Competencies:
- Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication theory, adult learning theory, indigenous media, community organization and participation.
- Training in strategic communication planning, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.
- Proven skills in communication, networking, advocacy and negotiation.
- Ability to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies.
- Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
- Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
- Knowledge and work experience in the social, political and economic environment of West and Central Africa.
Languages:
Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of local language would be an asset
