Polio Communication for Development Specialist (SSA)
The purpose of this announcement is to attract suitable candidates to be included in UNICEF’s Consultant Roster for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. This is not a regular vacancy announcement but represents a recruitment effort to develop a confidential database used only by UNICEF managers to identify candidates on long or short-term assignments.
Candidates with suitable qualifications will be placed on the roster to be considered for consultancies worldwide. In case of a consultant vacancy in any of the UNICEF polio eradication programme areas, selected candidates will receive e-mail queries of interest and availability from the UNICEF Polio Unit.
If you are a communication expert with experience in health promotion or social / community mobilization and have a passion about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
The GPEI is the largest public health initiative in history and has achieved 99% reduction of polio cases since its inception in 1988 when the World Health Assembly adopted eradication as a global health goal. As a spearheading partner, UNICEF has the lead role in vaccine supply, logistics and communication. We need your help to accelerate the UNICEF efforts in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to stop all polio cases by 2012.
Communication plays a crucial role in polio eradication, fostering understanding of the disease and acceptance of the vaccine. UNICEF has key communication and social mobilization responsibilities in the endemic countries and also in effectively responding to outbreaks, and we are looking for experienced programme communication consultants.
I. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the close guidance of the Chief of Health/Polio, and in collaboration with partners and government programme officers, consultants will have responsibility for:
· Guide the development and implementation of learning needs assessments of social mobilizers and other workers. Design research methodologies and coordinate all data required to inform and assess the impact of the capacity development strategy.
· Coordinate and support the development of an appropriate capacity development strategy, including facilitating learning workshops, for frontline workers who engage in participatory communication and social mobilization activities.
· Design research protocols and oversee social research activities for formative, process and outcome assessments.
· Analyze social and epidemiological data to identify trends and patterns, and to illuminate high risk groups and describe opportunities for communication interventions to help facilitate access to and demand for health services.
· Develop appropriate strategies and interventions to engage general and high risk populations through multi-channel, participatory communication campaigns.
· Coordinate with partners, including host governments, to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate polio communication and social mobilization activities.
· Contribute to reporting, including documentation and responding to donor and partner inquiries, on the UNICEF efforts in the polio eradication initiative.
II. WORKING CONDITIONS
Duty stations worldwide. The consultancy will be office based, with frequent travel within the country of posting, and the possibility of international missions.
III. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
A. EDUCATION
Advanced university degree in the social sciences, (Communication, Education, Human Resource Management, Health Education).
B. WORK EXPERIENCE
Five to eight years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of communication for development programmes, with a focus on health communication and promotion, community engagement, social data collection and analysis and national strategy development.
C. LANGUAGE
Fluency in English mandatory, fluency in French or Portuguese is considered an additional strength.
D. COMPETENCIES
· Knowledge of current developments the social sciences, public communication and health promotion and grass level, participatory community engagement techniques.
· Proven skills in management, 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.
IV. Applications
Your application should include 1) CV (English) and 2) cover letter. Please send your application via email to Ms. Lisa Wong, , with “Polio Communication Specialist” in the subject heading. Application deadline is 30 November 2011.
Note: If you are interested in other UNICEF opportunities, please visit www.unicef.org/about/employ to create an applicant profile, and to search/review/apply to vacancies of interest.
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