Career Opportunities at UNICEF

Purpose of the Position

With the guidance of Deputy Regional Director, the incumbent will be responsible for the oversight and guidance of Country Office design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of integrated and strategic communication for development and social mobilization plans that support community empowerment and behaviour change as key components of the country programmes in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR). 

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Policy Direction

Set policy direction for communication for development teams and ensure the communication for development programme is in line with Country Office and Strategic PLan priorities, CCCs and UN reform.  

• Provide expert advice and assistance to the UNICEF Senior Managers and through them to government counterparts on attitude and behaviour change modalities that contribute to changing mindsets and are culturally sensitive and tailored to address changing programme contexts.

1. Vision and Expert Advice on Strategy, Plans and Implementation

Provide vision, expert advice and assistance to programme communication teams.

• Make viable recommendations on appropriate communication for development strategies to achieve the organization's global goals, and to support UNICEF's mission in the country.
• Provide guidance to UNICEF management and the Chief Communication for Development as they oversee, manage, lead, and facilitate the formulation and implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through: (a) behaviour development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development programmes for positive social change.

1. Operational Processes and Plans

Provide expert advice, guidance and leadership in the management of operations process and plans of communication for development.

• Guide major decisions and recommendations on operational strategies, guide operational processes, methodologies, approaches, and establish plans, to achieve participatory communication, social mobilization and behaviour change. Guide operational decisions on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences, technical resources required, allocation of financial resources, as well as time-frame for various activities, in support of the achievement of country programme and organizational goals.

1. Partnerships and Intersectoral Alliances

Initiate, guide, lead, coordinate, facilitate and support the development/ strengthening of key partnerships and intersectoral alliances.

•  Coordinate and collaborate with key NGO and bilateral partners and government counterparts at regional level, and support such action at country level, for promotion of partnerships and alliances in the areas of behaviour change, community participation/empowerment and social mobilization.

1. Promotion of Appropriate Use of Communication Social Development

Provide expert advice on appropriate use of communication and approach for social development, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action.

• Provide expert advice, coordination and technical support to Country Offices and through them to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development.
• Support Country Office collaboration with government officials, community leaders, UN, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of programme communication goals and strategies.

1. Capacity Building for Sustainability

Exercise effective leadership and provide expert advice on capacity building of communication for development teams.

•  Oversee and advise on the development of goals, strategy, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of communication for development intervention, in support of programme sustainability. 

1.  Resource Mobilization and Management

Participate in the budget planning & review process, and ensure the optimal resource allocation, appropriation of allocated programme funds and the compliance with rules and regulations.

• Participate in and contribute to the budget and programme review and planning process. Establish programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
• Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds and mobilize resources; improve programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Oversee the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly and effectively coordinated, monitored and liquidated. 

Qualifications of a Successful Candidate 

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in social/behavioral sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research, training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication interventions.  A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field (as identified above) in conjunction with 12 years of relevant work experience (as identified below), may be taken in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  
  
• Training in communication for development and implementation in communication for development, social mobilization and behavioral change.  Training in inter-disciplinary approach in programme communication.

• A minimum ten (10) years of progressively, relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including six years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
  
  
• Relevant experience in related areas (as identified above) in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
  
  
• Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Preferably French or Spanish) is desirable.
  
  
• Knowledge of Portuguese, or a local language of a country in the Eastern and Southern Africa region is an asset.
   

Competencies of a Successful Candidate

Core Values 

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication - Level III
• Working with People - Level III
• Drive for Results - Level III

Functional Competencies 

• Leading and Supervising - Level I  
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts   - Level II
• Relating and Networking - Level II  
• Persuading and Influencing   - Level II
• Applying Technical Expertise - Level II
• Entrepreneurial Thinking - Level II 
     

Technical Knowledge 

1. a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the job)

(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)

• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication theory, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media, community organization and participation.
• Knowledge of and training in strategic communication planning, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.
• Knowledge of and experience in programme development and implementation in programme communication, social mobilization and behavioural change.
• Knowledge of and experience in inter-disciplinary approach in programme communication with sound knowledge of UN and/or UNICEF's work in humanitarian action.
• Knowledge of and experience in emergency operations and management.
• Knowledge of and skills in programme communication networking, advocacy and negotiation.
• Knowledge and understanding of government policies, guidelines, legislation and strategies on various subjects.
• Knowledge, skills and experience to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies. Knowledge of community capacity building.
• Knowledge, skills and experience in the methods of communication to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form and to listen to and acknowledges others' perspectives and views.
• Knowledge, skills and experience to perform effectively in unstable, uncertain, or potentially dangerous environments while maintaining physical and mental health.
• Computer knowledge, skills and practical experience, including internet navigation, network, telecommunications and various office applications. 

1. b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

• UN/UNICEF policy papers, relating to programme communication and programmes
• Executive Directives
• UNICEF programme manuals
• Communication for Development Guidelines
• UNICEF country programme plans
• Government development plans and policies

go to method of application »

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall objective of the consultancy will be to provide an evidence-based situation analysis of children and adolescent (18 years and below) to provide information on key factors contributing to and hindering the realisation of rights by children and women in Kenya.

More specifically the objectives of the exercise are to:

1.  Develop a deep understanding of the situation of children and adolescents by analyzing the social, political, economic and technological trends affecting them (disaggregated by age, gender, urban/rural, ethnicity, wealth and other relevant factors).

2.  Identify trends, patterns, incidence and causes of key deprivations and patterns of vulnerability, disaggregated by relevant segments of the population using available data and other information.

3.  Identify and analyse the barriers and bottlenecks that prevent disadvantaged girls, boys and families from benefiting from required interventions and services.  The immediate underlying and root causes should be examined including the social, political and economic conditions and gender norms^[2] that result in shortfalls in the creation of an enabling environment for the realization of children's rights.

4.  Analyse the extent to which gender inequalities and the fulfilment/non-fulfilment of the rights of women affect overall inequalities and deprivations, including those affecting children.

5.  Assess the current or potential presence of risks, including conflict, natural hazards, existing and future hazards from climate change and other potential shocks; the likelihood of their occurrence, the underlying vulnerabilities, the nature of the hazard and the particularly vulnerable groups that will be affected.  The capacities and coping mechanisms of women and men, families, communities, local and national institutions to mitigate these risks and deal with shocks should also be assessed. 

6.  Analyse the extent to which the evidence-based interventions and services needed to address deprivations are prioritized in national policies, laws, strategies, plans and budgets, and supported by UNICEF and partners. This would include an analysis of the extent to which there is an enabling environment for the realization of the rights of all children including the promotion of positive social norms and behaviours, transformation of gender norms, organization of services, institutional capacities at national, sub-national and community levels.

7.  Analyse the country programme existing strategy and Identify relevant ones needed for the achievement of children rights in Kenya

Approach and Scope

The provisions and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) will stand at the centre of the Situation Analysis.  The UNICEF KCO SitAn will embrace a comprehensive assessment of the rights of children in Kenya using a human rights-based approach, consisting of the following:

1.  Assessment of shortfalls in child rights and inequities;

2.  Analysis of the major causes of child rights shortfalls and inequities including

-  Causality analysis

-  Role pattern analysis of duty bearers and rights holders

-  Capacity Gap analysis

3.  Analysis of the enabling environment (this guided by the UNICEF determinate analysis for barriers and bottlenecks)

4.  Validation of analysis.

The thematic areas will include the right to survival and development; the right to education and development; the right to protection from abuse, violence and exploitation; the right to social protection and adequate living standard, and the right to participation.

METHODOLOGY

The SitAn will adopt different methodologies and techniques. Secondary data collection will be done through review of the existing literatures. Primary data collection will be conducted in selected counties to fill the gaps identified during desk reviews.

In-depth interviews and group consultations with local experts, UNICEF section staff, professionals, human/child rights activists, and opinion makers in non-government and government sectors, UN agencies and other international development agencies may be conducted to collect their views of the gaps, causes, and bottlenecks to the fulfilment of children's rights.

The SitAn will mainly entail desk review, complimented with field data collection at a small scale to assist explain any gaps as encountered during the desk review.