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If 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 60 years, 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.

POSITION: Chief Communication for Development

 
Purpose of the Position
With the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, and in close coordination with the Chief of Communication, Health, Nutrition, WASH, HIV/AIDS and Child Protection, the incumbent is responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of integrated and strategic communication for development and social mobilization plans that support community empowerment and behaviour change as key components of the country programmes in UNICEF Nigeria.
 
Key Expected Results

 Policy Direction

• Set policy directions for communication for development teams and ensure the communication programme is in line with Country Office and MTSP priorities, CCCs and UN reform.
• Provide expert advice and assistance to the UNICEF Senior Managers and government counterparts on attitude and behaviour change modalities that contribute to changing mindsets and are culturally sensitive and tailored to address changing programme contexts.

 Vision and Expert Advice on Strategy, Plans and Implementation

• Provide vision, expert advice and assistance to programme communication teams.
• Make viable recommendations and decisions on appropriate communication for development strategies to achieve the organization's global goals, and to support UNICEF's mission in the country.
• In collaboration with UNICEF management and decision makers and planners of government, donor organizations and the private sector, the Chief Communication for Development oversees, manages, leads, and facilitates the formulation and implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through: (a) behaviour 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.

Operational Processes and Plans

• Provide expert advice, guidance and leadership in the management of operations process and plans of communication for development.
• Make major decisions and recommendations on operational strategies, guide operational processes, methodologies, approaches, and establish plans, to achieve participatory communication, social mobilization and behaviour change. Make operational decisions on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences, technical resources required, allocation of financial resources, as well as time-frame for various activities, in support of the achievement of country programme and organizational goals.

 Partnerships and Intersectoral Alliances

• Initiate, guide, lead, coordinate, facilitate and support the development/ strengthening of key partnerships and intersectoral alliances.
• Coordinate and collaborate with key NGO and bilateral partners and government counterparts for promotion of partnerships and alliances in the areas of behaviour change, community participation/empowerment and social mobilization

 Promotion of Appropriate Use of Communication Social Development

• Provide expert advice on appropriate use of communication and approach for social development, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action.
• Provide expert advice, coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.
• Collaborate with government officials, community leaders, UN, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of programme communication goals and strategies.

 Capacity Building for Sustainability

• Exercise effective leadership and provide expert advice on capacity building of communication for development teams.
• Oversee and advise on the development of goals, strategy, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of communication for development intervention, in support of programme sustainability.

 Resource Mobilization and Management

• Participate in the budget planning & review process, and ensure the optimal resource allocation, appropriation of allocated programme funds and the compliance with rules and regulations.
• Participate in and contribute to the budget and programme review and planning process. Establish programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
• Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds and mobilize resources; improve programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Oversee the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly and effectively coordinated, monitored and liquidated.

 
Qualifications of Successful Candidate

 Education

• Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, and participatory communication, and research, training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication interventions.
• Training in communication for development and implementation in communication for development, social mobilization and behavioral change. Training in inter-disciplinary approach in programme   communication.
• A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

 Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including six years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.

 Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English and another UN language.
• Local working language of the duty station an asset.

 
Competencies of Successful Candidate
 Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

 Core Competencies

•  Communication  [ III ]
•  Working with People  [ III ]
•  Drive for Results  [ III ]

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising   [ III ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts   [ III ]
• Analyzing   [ II ]
• Relating and Networking   [ III ]
• Persuading and Influencing   [ III ]
• Entrepreneurial Thinking   [ III ]

 
Remarks

 The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.