About us

Communication Specialist

Location: Hyderabad
Closing Date: 29th June, 2011

Purpose of the post:

The incumbent will be responsible for building partnerships, advocating and influencing the policy, planning, implementation, monitoring of programme for promoting the attainment of rights of children, for an assigned programme or specific projects in the State of Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.  

The jobholder works at the State and District level. He/She also works under the daily supervision of the Chief of Field Office and take sector specific guidance from the Chief of Advocacy and Partnership Section in New Delhi.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:-

Influencing Policy Advocacy

Assists the Chief of Field Office in the development of the strategy and plan for child rights advocacy, based on state priorities, to increase media visibility& discourse, public action and discourse among civil society and legislative assembly members on the changes required in policies/legal frameworks and implementation of those policies/legal frameworks.
 
Building Partnerships

Convenes strategic partnerships with media, local celebrities & sportspersons, private sector, civil society corporates and other partners to impact on overall advocacy for children’s policies, to support programmes and resources in the States.

Interacts with media and other partners, on the management of advocacy and communication initiatives. Participates in meetings with Ministries/Departments, media, civil society partners responsible for advocacy, Legislative Assembly members and follows up on implementation of agreements and plans.

Assists in the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in advocacy management and evaluation.

Programme Implementation

With guidance from the Chief of Field Office, proposes strategies for advocacy. Prepares, implements, monitors and evaluates advocacy initiatives in the state. Analyzes and evaluates data/evidence for use to meet advocacy priorities and objectives of the state. 

In collaboration with Sectoral colleagues, designs, manages and implements specific media advocacy plan and results-focused communication campaigns to create constructive public pressure for change in policy, legal frameworks or implementation of Flagship programmes.

Coordinates and supports visits of journalists, NatComs, film producers etc. for web/media coverage and fund raising purposes. Contributes to and enables the concurrent monitoring and reporting on advocacy/communication campaigns in the state.  Integrates input/advice from the Advocacy and Partnerships Section in Delhi

Monitoring and Evaluation

Facilitates the review of communication initiatives in the state.  Undertakes field visits to monitor advocacy & partnerships initiatives (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.

Identifies and recommends necessary action for adjustments in planned  advocacy activities. Provides advice and assistance to government officials and other partners in the planning and management of advocacy and communication campaigns. 

Contributes to the preparation of the Situation Analysis, led by SPME, by compiling data, analyzing and evaluating information, and writing sections related to advocacy/communication/partnerships of the Analysis.

Work plan development

Responsible for the development of the Advocacy & Partnerships work plan, and ensures compliance with specific assigned objectives. Provides guidance and support to subordinate staff to manage and implement the plans.

Capacity Building and technical assistance for Government 

Assists government authorities to plan and organize capacity building programmes for strengthening advocacy and communication campaigns. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of state initiatives.

Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

Inter-sectoral collaboration

Proactively collaborates within state and/or sector with  programme colleagues to give and receive knowledge and assistance. Pooling resources for more effective programming. Assists in development of appropriate communication and advocacy strategy to support programmes. Supports/profiling and visibility for state initiatives on inclusive programming .

Supplies and Cash Assistance

Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Chief of Field Office  as required.

Report Writing

Writes programme/project inputs for donor proposals, status reports required for management Board, donors, budget review, programme analysis, annual reports, etc.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:

• Advanced university degree in any of the following: Social Sciences,   Communications, Journalism, Public relations or related area.

• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in social sector related to child rights at state, district and community level in the field of advocacy, information and communication through senior level officials, elected representatives, media agencies, corporates and civil society partners.

• Fluency in written and oral English. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.

Competency Profile

i)   Core Values (Required)

• Commitment 
• Diversity and Inclusion     
• Integrity

ii)  Core Competencies (Required)

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

ii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and supervising   [me]             
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts    [II]  
• Relating and Networking   [II]              
• Persuading and Influencing    [II]                      
• Applying Technical Expertise   [II]     
•  Entrepreneurial Thinking [II]
        
iii)  Technical Knowledge  

a) Specific Technical Knowledge required (for the job)
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.) 
Specific, detailed and up-to-date knowledge of:
 Executive Board and other policy documents. 
 Executive Directives
 Mid-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP)
 UN/UNICEF Policy Papers
 UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines.
 Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF
 General administrative and financial guidelines.
 Human resources manual
 UNICEF communication and other DOC guidelines
 Communication toolkit
 Brand Toolkit and Brand Book
 UNICEF Stylebook
 Ethical Guidelines on Reporting on Children

b) Common Technical Knowledge required (for the job group)
General knowledge of:
 Communication management. Knowledge of theories and practices in communication research planning and strategy.
 Fundamentals for working in various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
 Computer systems/applications and network, including internet navigation, office applications, and specifically, interactive digital media.
 Knowledge of United Nations or other international organizations;
 Global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.
 UNICEF communication goals, policies, guidelines and strategies.
 UNICEF policies and strategy to address national and international issues.
 UNICEF emergency communication policies, goals, strategies.

c) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job)
 Expertise of management, communication strategy and networking.
 Technical competence in producing content for various media formats – print, audio, video, web etc.
 UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
 UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
 UN security operations and guidelines.  

Application consisting of a cover letter and an up-to-date CV should be sent by email to devpro@pmsind.org  by 29th June 2011. In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Title and Location of the post i.e. Communication Specialist – Hyderabad in the subject line of your e-mail/application.

Only applications of short-listed candidates will be acknowledged. This vacancy is open to Indian nationals only. UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training or any other fees).

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.

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