UNICEF recruits 01 Communication for Development Officer, NOB

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, early moments matter

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of children and women in Afghanistan. Since 1949, we have been bringing basic services, including education, health, nutrition, protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene to those who are most in need, addressing inequities in each of these areas. UNICEF also provides humanitarian assistance during emergencies. Together with our partners, we are on the front lines of the battle to eradicate polio in Afghanistan, one of only three countries in the world where the disease remains endemic.

In many ways, violence dominates the conversation about Afghanistan. The individual voices and faces of people, particularly women and children, are often lost in the noise. UNICEF is working to change this narrative so that every child may be given choices and opportunities in their life.

As one of the longest-serving members of the international community in Afghanistan, UNICEF has a unique role to promote peace and stability for the country’s children. We continue to support the country’s transition from decades of war and natural disasters so that children, adolescents and women can access the services they need and fulfil their right to survival, development, protection and participation.

Work for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2

For every child:  https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/

 

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office and technical guidance from the C4D Manager/Section in the Country Office, the Communication for Development (C4D) Officer provides technical and operational support to the Chief of Field Office, C4D section and internal colleagues in the field office by administering, implementing, monitoring and/or evaluating a variety of strategic C4D initiatives and activities to promote community engagement and participation, and measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization, requiring the application of technical and theoretical C4D skills and thorough knowledge of organizational goals, rules, regulations, policies and procedures to complete the following tasks:

1.  Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities

• Research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, communication, cultural, economic and political issues in the country/region. Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the C4D component of the Country Program of Cooperation and the One UN Framework.
• Collect, synthesize, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for evidence-based C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the country office programmes) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Assess, select and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for C4D initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination.
• Monitor and assess the impact of C4D strategies and activities on the CO and UNICEF goals to achieve measurable behavioral and social change resulting in the improvement of children’s rights and well-being. Submit qualitative report/synthesis of results for development planning and improvement.

2. Support to the implementation of C4D activities

• Collaborate and/or consult with internal and external partners to provide operational and technical support to research, develop, and produce evidence-based strategies and test, produce and use quality C4D materials and/or organize events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change .
• Provide technical, administrative and logistical support and background materials to carry out C4D strategies and activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods and procedures to ensure community engagement and participation, and optimum outreach and impact .
• Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources and multiple/social/digital media and tools to support maximum impact and outreach of C4D initiatives.
• Follow up and monitor the production of C4D materials to ensure technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). 
• Collect, assess and organize information for budget planning and management of program funds and prepare documentations and related materials for financial plan for C4D activities. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with national and international civil society organisations, community groups, leaders and other critical partners in the community and civil society to reinforce cooperation through engagement, empowerment and self determination and to pursue opportunities for greater 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 messaging to enhance C4D outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes.

4.  Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners/users, and disseminate products to key audiences including partners and donors.
• Support the organization, administration and implement capacity building initiatives, including partnerships with training and academic institutions, to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners across programme sectors in C4D planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programs/projects. Develop training materials for training activities, and revise and update them as necessary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

 

Education: A  minimum of university Degree in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations, public health or other related field.

Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of professional work experience in areas 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.

Demonstrable knowledge of and experience with local / regional existing networks such as local leaders, authorities, youth and women networks, journalist and media networks, government outreach workers, local NGOs etc is an asset. Experience in community mobilization or related areas is an advantage.

Languages: Fluency in English and local language of the duty station (Dari/Pashto) is required.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional competencies required for the posts are:

• Formulating strategies/concepts (I)
• Relating and networking (I)
• Persuading and influencing (I)
• Applying technical expertise (I)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)

View our competency framework at:

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity within its workforce.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

We are the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.

Remarks:

Priority will be given to qualified female candidates.