About UNICEF: Employment
Programme Communication Specialist, L-3, Dakar Regional Office, Senegal (TFT)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the world’s leading organization working for the rights of children, is seeking a Programme Communication Specialist to be based in its Dakar, Senegal Regional Office.
Under the general guidance of the Regional Chief, Communication for Development, and in close collaboration with the Chiefs of Programme sections, you will be responsible for assisting UNICEF Country Offices in the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of behaviour and social change communication strategies in support of ACSD including HIV prevention.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1.Provide technical support to UNICEF COs, 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 including HIV prevention; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation.
2. Provide technical advice on M&E activities on the basis of applied communication research and visits to project sites.
3. Provide guidance to COs to organize/manage participatory, community-based research and documentation.
4. Provide support COs in the development of effective partnerships with social networks, 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 including HIV prevention.
5. Advise Country Offices in the identification of regional institutions and external consultants that can support activities in programme communication, through access to a Technical Assistance Network.
6. Develop training materials and activities to build capacity in social and behaviour change communication in support of programme sustainability.
Your profile:
• 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.
• Five years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including two years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
• 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.
• Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese would be an asset.
If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send a detailed curriculum vitae in English, AND a duly completed United Nations Personal History form (available at www.unicef.org/employ), quoting “VN-09-Programme Communication Specialist” to: scisse@unicef.org. Candidates are also asked to complete the Candidate Self Assessment Form. Applications should be received by 24 April 2009. Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. The successful candidate will be offered a temporary contract for a period of one year.
UNICEF’s salary and benefits package is based on the United Nations Common System; visit www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances for further information.
UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly women are strongly encouraged to apply.
