The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Zambia is looking for suitably qualified candidates to apply for the following vacancy:
Communication for Development Officer-Fixed-Term Appointment, NOB (National Officer Category, Level 2), for 1 year (renewable) to be based in Lusaka.
The incumbent will work under the general supervision of the Chief, Health & Nutrition.
Duties
Programme Communication programme strategy, plan and implementation for behavioral change
- Provides technical support and assistance in the development, management and facilitating of the implementation of programme communication strategy, plan of action and activities for strategy communication and promotion for social and behavioral change in support of country programme delivery.
- Provides technical assistance in and contributing to the development, management and facilitation of the implementation of communication policy, strategy and plans of action aiming at general public and service providers through behavioral development/change, social mobilization of civil society organizations and increased community participation in development programmes for positive social change.
Programme communication materials
- Provides technical support and assistance in the research, development, pretesting, and production of culturally relevant communication materials.
- Supports the UNICEF global communications objectives and strategies through development of complementary country specific and local community materials
- Ensures the quality, consistency and appropriateness of communication materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated to local communities, government officials, other partner and the press.
Partnerships for social mobilization
- Develops and enhance strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and others partners in the community and civil society for promotion of participation in social and behavioral changes supportive of programmes goals
- Develops partnerships with various religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists and other organized groups in the community,
- Promote a better understanding of children’s and women’s issues by assisting in or managing a country level behavior change and social mobilization strategy supportive of effective and efficient programme delivery.
- Promotes and influences behavior development/change at individual/household levels, social mobilization of civil society organization and increased community participation in development programmes.
Capacity building support
- Develops training materials and activities to in capacity building in participatory and behavioral change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programme communication intervention, in support of programme sustainability, program management, monitoring and delivery of results.
Coordination and collaboration with government and partners
- Liaises and coordinates with government counterparts in the development and appropriate use of communication for social development aimed at both individual behavior change and collective action.
- Provides assistance and support to government officials, community leaders, UN, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and issues supportive of programme communication goals and strategies.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Monitors and evaluates programmes activities on the basis of applied communication research and frequent visits to projects areas.
- Analyzes and evaluates data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend correction action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives.
- Prepares monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with the established guidelines, methods and procedures. Also to provide technical advice to programme staff, government officials and other counterparts to coordinate and manage the evaluative elements of country programme milestones meetings.
- Disseminates communication research findings, and ensures exchanges and sharing of experience, lessons learned, best practices, and new methods to government officials, programme staffs, and others UNICEF partners.
Budget planning and management of program funds
- Provides professional input in and contributes to the budget and programme review and planning process. Assists in the establishment of programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
- Reviews the allocation and disbursement of programmes funds, ensuring that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
- Take appropriate actions to optimize use programme funds, improves programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Qualification Requirements:
- University Degree in social and behavioural sciences, anthropology, psychology, health education or public health or other health related science is required.
- An advance university degree is an asset
Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes in public health/nutrition planning and/or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care. Relevant experience in health/nutrition programme/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
A detailed job description can be downloaded from the UNICEF website www.unicef.org/zambia
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their application by 06 October 2015 with updated Curriculum Vitae with at least 3 traceable references and completed UN Personal History form (P-11) to Lusaka@unicef.org or the Human Resources Specialist, UNICEF Lusaka Office, UN House 3rd Floor, Alick Nkhata Road, P.O. Box 33610, Lusaka.
Please clearly indicate the VN No. for the position applied for. Note that the Personal History form (P-11) can be downloaded from the UNICEF Lusaka website under ‘Opportunities.’
The advertisement is also being posted on our website.
“UNICEF IS COMMITTED TO GENDER EQUALITY IN ITS MANDATE AND ITS STAFF. WELL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, PARTICULARLY FEMALES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”
