UNICEF seeks to recruit Communication for Development Chief, Fixed Term, NO-D, Khartoum, Sudan

(Open to Sudanese nationals ONLY)

Description

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, www.unicef.org/sudan

Sudan is a huge country, more than four times the size of Sweden and the third largest in Africa—even after South Sudan was carved out in 2011. Sudan has a lot of land and resources, a population of 40 million and a history that predates the Nubian kingdoms established along the Nile River around 4,000 BC.

Sudan’s children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives improve. Fewer boys and girls are dying before their fifth birthday. Primary school attendance is increasing. Immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free.

Still, millions of children continue to suffer from chronic conflict, from seasonal natural disasters and disease outbreaks, from under-investment in basic social services. Sudan ranks as one of the worst in the world for malnutrition, and three million of its school aged children are not in the classroom.

 

How can you make a difference?

The Communication for Development (C4D) Chief 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 Communication for Development 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 wellbeing in the country.

 

1. Support to strategy design and development of C4D activities
2. Implementation of C4D activities
3. Technical and operational support
4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

 

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 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 United Nations Development Assistance Framework (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.
• Prepare and develop materials and related documentations for evidence-based C4D strategies and plans (as a component of the Country Office 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 Mid Term Strategic Plan, Country Office (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 wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D events.
• Identify, 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 Monitoring and Evaluation exercises, including country program previews, meetings and mid-term/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

• • Collaborate with internal CO and Regional Office (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.

 

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 (UN Country Team; 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.

 

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 appropriate/available 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/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.

 

Organize/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.

 

To qualify as a champion  for every child you will have

Advanced university degree (Master or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in areas of social development programme 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 in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

 

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic language is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply