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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built, we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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For every child, rights

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations

Job Organizational Context:

The health section of the UNICEF Nigeria Country office provides oversight, quality assurance, technical assistance, and knowledge management in the field of Health and HIV with a focus on immunization (including polio), maternal newborn health and health systems strengthening. In collaboration with SBC and Communication and Advocacy sections, it supports communication for social and behavior change interventions for Polio, Immunization and health interventions.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose Of the Assignment:

Under the general guidance of the Polio SBC Manager - and in close collaboration with national Polio Team lead the incumbent will be working as a member of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), and they will be deployed to polio outbreak states as a member of the Management Support Team (MST) according to the outbreak SOPs. The incumbent will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of behavior change and social mobilization activities in support of the National Polio Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) , with a specific focus on support to areas of SBC , Advocacy, communication, Social mobilization for polio eradication and for generating demand for and uptake of immunization services and will work on other health interventions as needed.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Support to Polio Outbreak response SBC strategy design and development

• Supporting the development of Polio outbreak response SBC strategy and activities includes the assessment of qualitative and quantitative information, participation in outbreak response 
• planning, review and preparation of high-quality educational materials, and collaboration with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Support the development of workplan and budget to implement consequential geographies approach at country level, including synergies within the health section, and other sections (e.g., Primary health care and routine immunization interventions)
• Lead the design and development of a package of SBC interventions, including support VCMs (voluntary community mobilizers) activities for both campaigns and in between round activities to stop cVDPV2 circulation in Nigeria.
• Regularly support to the Field Offices on SBC matters and attend the EOC meetings to contribute National ACSM working group in planning and decision-making process.
• SBC outbreak response activities and communication materials: Supporting the implementation of SBC outbreak response activities by providing support to the Field office team and partners during the response phase, verifying the technical quality, consistency, and relevancy of communications materials, recommending appropriate multiple media formats, and contributing to the implementation of SBC advocacy activities.

2. Implementation of SBCC activities

• Ensure timely implementation and funds disbursement of SBC activities at national and sub-national level.
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult GPEI partners to design SBC strategies to respond to an outbreak of polio, including formulation, production and testing materials to organize SBCC events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change, including in humanitarian response.
• Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community networks, etc.). Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.
• Carry out SBC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc.
• Support polio outbreak response and immunization efforts assessments and implementation of their recommendations.
• Support and lead when needed proposal writing and mobilization of resources to ensure SBCC and UNICEF polio response are fully funded.

3.Advocacy, networking, and partnership building:

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance SBC outreach including in humanitarian contexts.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; National UN Social and Behavioral Change Communication Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the GPEI, the GAVI and all immunization related planning and preparation of SBCC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.

4.Communication and Media Engagement

• Develop the communication strategy for polio and other immunization programmes considering key communication practices
• Contribute to the development of the crisis communication, misinformation strategies and implementation plans in the outbreak countries which encompasses supporting the crisis communication assessment as well as development and implementation of the national crisis communication and misinformation management strategies.
• Establish and operationalize crisis communication mechanisms, including the development of SOPs and designation of spokespersons, to ensure a coordinated and effective response during Crisis with the support of HQ/RO and National EOC.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR SBC Specialist P-3 TA Polio.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Advanced university degree in Social and Behavioral Change Communication, Public Health,  or other social/behavioral sciences or community health area (Health promotion, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education, bio-medical sciences, public health) or related area, with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.
• A minimum seven years progressively responsible work experience in public or community health and Social and Behavioral Change Communication, the planning and management of social communication programmes, including in immunization/polio. Background in public health and strong management skills would be highly considered.
• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication theory, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media, digital communication, community organization and participation, strategic communication planning, behavior analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.
• Knowledge of inter-disciplinary approach in programme development and implementation in behavior and social change communication, social mobilization and behavioral change.
• Knowledge of and experience in emergency operations and management. 
• Knowledge and experience to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies.
• Computer knowledge, skills and practical experience, including internet navigation, network, telecommunications and various office applications.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (2)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (2)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (2)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.