Chief Communication for Development - UNICEF
United States of America (the) - New York
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Associate Director, Gender, Rights & Civic Engagement Section, and in close coordination with other Divisions, particularly Programme Division and Division of Communication, the Chief of the Communication for Development (C4D) Unit provides overall technical leadership and guidance on the C4D (formerly programme communication) function and practice at UNICEF. You will serve as the Division of Policy and Practice focal point on overall management of the global function and oversee the development of global technical policy guidelines and tools as well as capacity development for programming in the area of behaviour change and social change. You will take a leadership role in expanding and extending the role and practice of C4D for behaviour change and social change in the work of UNICEF at global, regional and country levels.
You will be primary responsibility for developing new and strengthening existing global partnerships with the appropriate international agencies, professional bodies and academic institutions, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation and coordination in the area of C4D. You represent UNICEF’s interest in the international and inter-agency fora by advancing UNICEF’s equity agenda for children in the area of strategic communication for behaviour change, social change and social transformation, full community engagement, participatory communication methodologies, social mobilization and facilitating & amplifying the voices of those traditionally excluded and marginalized in upstream decision making and policy advocacy.
Key Expected Results
1. Guide and support C4D partnerships and initiatives
Guides and oversees the development and maintenance of high level relationships with UN agencies, donor organizations, civil society organizations (including academic/learning institutions and professional networks) including the UN Round Table for Communication for Development. Represents UNICEF at C4D policy and strategic planning meetings with UN and bilateral agencies, professional bodies and others and promotes recognition of UNICEF in the area of C4D for behaviour and social change, social mobilization and social transformation. Acts as a spokesperson for UNICEF on C4D and participates in technical and coordination discussions at inter-governmental and inter-agency fora, as well as with non-governmental and professional partners. Guides the C4D component of special inter-agency initiatives. These might include, but are not limited to, changing harmful social norms such as FGM and child marriage; communication for, with and about children and young people; Polio Eradication; reducing violence against children and women; etc.
2. Provide C4D policy directions, vision and expert advice to support UNICEF programme and policy formulation, strategic planning & implementation guidance
Leads and guides the conceptualization and articulation of UNICEF’s global policies and strategies as they relate to C4D, behaviour change and social change, social mobilization and social transformation, linking community perspectives in upstream policy discussions and community participation in the context of the MTSP goals and the Millennium Development Goals. Advocates with UNICEF Senior Management for the integration, mainstreaming and strengthening of C4D principles and methodologies in development programmes supported by UNICEF. Promotes programming based on human rights, gender equality and equity-based approaches to realize social change through innovations in C4D approaches, participatory methodologies and evidence-driven strategic interventions. Advocates for and provides guidance to integrate the principles of C4D in key areas such as One UN, the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework/Programme. Guides the development and revision of UNICEF’s organizational policies and tools including operational guidelines, learning portal, technical notes and other documents as they relate to C4D.
3. Strengthen human resource development and national capacity building in C4D
Provides overall direction and guidance for capacity building strategies in C4D. Provides vision and expert advice on linkages with academic institutions in South and North to implement sustainable strategies to build national capacity in C4D to support country programmes of cooperation. Fosters the development of C4D ‘communities of practice’ within and outside of UNICEF, with a focus on sharing of technical knowledge and ideas on C4D practice at all levels, collation of good practice and lessons learned in integrating C4D in programming and in measuring/showing evidence of C4D results and their contribution to programme results. Advises on the recruitment and selection of candidates for senior-level, international C4D staff positions including conducting technical assessments and participating in interviews.
4. Manage, Administer & Support Resource Mobilisation
Responsible for the overall functioning of the C4D Unit at NYHQ. Advocates with UNICEF Senior Management and Donors for resources and budget allocation for the C4D function. Oversees the development of funding proposals, donor reports and other reports as required and consistent with UNICEF’s MTSP and equity focus, in coordination with appropriate Divisions and Sections at HQ. Participates in the budget planning & review process, and ensures optimal resource allocation, deployment of allocated funds and compliance with rules and regulations. Establishes Unit staffing and structure, work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of funds; improve work efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to strategic planning, research, monitoring and evaluation.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences (Child Development, Sociology, Anthropology, Public Health, social communication/communication for development)
Twelve years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of C4D initiatives or social development programmes with strong C4D components, including at least 8 years in developing countries, with emphasis on policies, participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research, training and impact evaluation of social change interventions.
Proven track record in leading C4D work at the national or regional level including in the management and capacity development of C4D teams comprising national and international staff
Proven experience in development of C4D policies, standards and norms
Strong cross-sectoral and field experience in planning and implementing strategic communication processes for behaviour and social change/ social mobilization /advocacy/ participatory communication/ development of creative materials/ research, training or facilitation of communication programmes/impact evaluation
Experience of providing training on communication for development with a particular emphasis on evaluation and quality assurance of C4D interventions
Fluency in English and another UN language
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking
Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget
Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment
Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching
Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential
Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders
Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches
Anticipates and actively monitors long term local and global developments, constantly seeking new opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission
Remarks
Re-advertisement. Candidates who had applied previously will be considered and need not re-apply.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-000148. Applications must be received by 18 February 2011.
Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Associate Director, Gender, Rights & Civic Engagement Section, and in close coordination with other Divisions, particularly Programme Division and Division of Communication, the Chief of the Communication for Development (C4D) Unit provides overall technical leadership and guidance on the C4D (formerly programme communication) function and practice at UNICEF. You will serve as the Division of Policy and Practice focal point on overall management of the global function and oversee the development of global technical policy guidelines and tools as well as capacity development for programming in the area of behaviour change and social change. You will take a leadership role in expanding and extending the role and practice of C4D for behaviour change and social change in the work of UNICEF at global, regional and country levels.
You will be primary responsibility for developing new and strengthening existing global partnerships with the appropriate international agencies, professional bodies and academic institutions, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation and coordination in the area of C4D. You represent UNICEF’s interest in the international and inter-agency fora by advancing UNICEF’s equity agenda for children in the area of strategic communication for behaviour change, social change and social transformation, full community engagement, participatory communication methodologies, social mobilization and facilitating & amplifying the voices of those traditionally excluded and marginalized in upstream decision making and policy advocacy.
Key Expected Results
1. Guide and support C4D partnerships and initiatives
Guides and oversees the development and maintenance of high level relationships with UN agencies, donor organizations, civil society organizations (including academic/learning institutions and professional networks) including the UN Round Table for Communication for Development. Represents UNICEF at C4D policy and strategic planning meetings with UN and bilateral agencies, professional bodies and others and promotes recognition of UNICEF in the area of C4D for behaviour and social change, social mobilization and social transformation. Acts as a spokesperson for UNICEF on C4D and participates in technical and coordination discussions at inter-governmental and inter-agency fora, as well as with non-governmental and professional partners. Guides the C4D component of special inter-agency initiatives. These might include, but are not limited to, changing harmful social norms such as FGM and child marriage; communication for, with and about children and young people; Polio Eradication; reducing violence against children and women; etc.
2. Provide C4D policy directions, vision and expert advice to support UNICEF programme and policy formulation, strategic planning & implementation guidance
Leads and guides the conceptualization and articulation of UNICEF’s global policies and strategies as they relate to C4D, behaviour change and social change, social mobilization and social transformation, linking community perspectives in upstream policy discussions and community participation in the context of the MTSP goals and the Millennium Development Goals. Advocates with UNICEF Senior Management for the integration, mainstreaming and strengthening of C4D principles and methodologies in development programmes supported by UNICEF. Promotes programming based on human rights, gender equality and equity-based approaches to realize social change through innovations in C4D approaches, participatory methodologies and evidence-driven strategic interventions. Advocates for and provides guidance to integrate the principles of C4D in key areas such as One UN, the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework/Programme. Guides the development and revision of UNICEF’s organizational policies and tools including operational guidelines, learning portal, technical notes and other documents as they relate to C4D.
3. Strengthen human resource development and national capacity building in C4D
Provides overall direction and guidance for capacity building strategies in C4D. Provides vision and expert advice on linkages with academic institutions in South and North to implement sustainable strategies to build national capacity in C4D to support country programmes of cooperation. Fosters the development of C4D ‘communities of practice’ within and outside of UNICEF, with a focus on sharing of technical knowledge and ideas on C4D practice at all levels, collation of good practice and lessons learned in integrating C4D in programming and in measuring/showing evidence of C4D results and their contribution to programme results. Advises on the recruitment and selection of candidates for senior-level, international C4D staff positions including conducting technical assessments and participating in interviews.
4. Manage, Administer & Support Resource Mobilisation
Responsible for the overall functioning of the C4D Unit at NYHQ. Advocates with UNICEF Senior Management and Donors for resources and budget allocation for the C4D function. Oversees the development of funding proposals, donor reports and other reports as required and consistent with UNICEF’s MTSP and equity focus, in coordination with appropriate Divisions and Sections at HQ. Participates in the budget planning & review process, and ensures optimal resource allocation, deployment of allocated funds and compliance with rules and regulations. Establishes Unit staffing and structure, work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance. Takes appropriate actions to optimize use of funds; improve work efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to strategic planning, research, monitoring and evaluation.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences (Child Development, Sociology, Anthropology, Public Health, social communication/communication for development)
Twelve years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of C4D initiatives or social development programmes with strong C4D components, including at least 8 years in developing countries, with emphasis on policies, participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research, training and impact evaluation of social change interventions.
Proven track record in leading C4D work at the national or regional level including in the management and capacity development of C4D teams comprising national and international staff
Proven experience in development of C4D policies, standards and norms
Strong cross-sectoral and field experience in planning and implementing strategic communication processes for behaviour and social change/ social mobilization /advocacy/ participatory communication/ development of creative materials/ research, training or facilitation of communication programmes/impact evaluation
Experience of providing training on communication for development with a particular emphasis on evaluation and quality assurance of C4D interventions
Fluency in English and another UN language
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking
Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget
Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment
Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching
Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential
Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders
Negotiates effectively with people inside and outside the organization by adopting a range of approaches
Anticipates and actively monitors long term local and global developments, constantly seeking new opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission
Remarks
Re-advertisement. Candidates who had applied previously will be considered and need not re-apply.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply
If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children's rights organization, would like to hear from you.Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-000148. Applications must be received by 18 February 2011.
Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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