UNICEF Polio Outbreak Team – Open Call for Roster: Communication Specialist (C4D and External Communication)

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

UNICEF is seeking talented communication professionals to the join the Global UNICEF Polio Outbreak Response Team Roster.  Join us in the effort to put an end to polio forever!

Rosters are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified candidates intended to fast-track recruitment processes as positions become available. After a rigorous selection process, successful candidates assessed will be placed in the Roster for Polio Outbreak – Communication for Development and External Communication for a period of 36 months. While placement in the Roster does not guarantee a position, it is an important resource for filling vacancies. Candidates placed into the Rosters will be reviewed when a relevant position becomes available and if found suitable, are offered placements through a direct selection process.

For Every Child, a Future

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) seeks to ensure that future generations of children will be free from the threat of polio paralysis. Achieving this goal depends on interrupting poliovirus transmission in the remaining endemic countries and on ensuring rapid and effective responses to poliovirus outbreaks occurring in polio-free countries.

The Outbreak Communication Officer will lead the polio communication support provided to the country during the response to a poliovirus outbreak, working under the supervision of the Head of the WHO/UNICEF Country Offices and in collaboration with the communication teams of those organizations.

The communication officer’s support to the team at the country office will ensure that the response is:

1. Aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies, and

2. Aligned with the latest outbreak response SOPs.

The communication officer will be deployed to countries as part of the Rapid Response Team (A) or the Surge Team (B). 

How Can You Make a Difference?

Specific terms of reference will be determined for each deployment, but may include:

General:

• Assess communication needs and existing capacity at the country level.
• Report to WHO/UNICEF headquarters on progress, achievements, and where additional assistance is required.
• Contribute to the development of a communication plan to underpin the technical response, in collaboration with the WHO/UNICEF offices.
• Provide technical input to the overall response strategy, including the implementation of the operational work plans and provision of authoritative advice and support to operational units.
• Provide leadership and strengthen the existing communication teams by emphasizing team building and collaboration as daily routine with national/international partners.

Communication for Development (C4D):

• Ensure conduct of the required social investigation of polio cases as part of the early outbreak response.
• Develop/update/review data on immunization knowledge and attitudes and behavior of the target audience, especially for high-risk and mobile populations.  
• Facilitate and lead the reinvigoration of a social mobilization and/or communication working group or the expansion of an existing one.
• Initiate the development of the social mobilization component of the 6-month outbreak response plan document, including details for subnational implementation in high-risk areas and mobile populations, as well as the means for monitoring field activities and budget to cover those activities. 
• Finalize C4D community engagement and information dissemination strategies to promote polio and routine immunization.
• Develop and tailor health information products for various target populations/audiences, based on careful assessment of community knowledge, practices, and behaviors.
• Ensure that polio micro plans (at least in priority areas) include social data and information on social mobilizers and leaders by the time of the first response.
• Provide support for the training of health workers.
• Help implement the strategic communication response plan, including mass communication plans, as appropriate.
• Undertake in-depth reviews of potential refusals of vaccines or issues of mistrust to be addressed.
• Conduct regular analyses of independent monitoring data and other available resources to identify priority areas and devise social mobilization micro plans targeting those areas that incorporate social mobilization indicators within program monitoring indicators. 
• Set up social mobilization teams with delegated authorities at the sub-national level, as needed, and oversee the structure until the end of the outbreak with performance monitoring.

External Communication:

• Conduct a media landscape analysis.
• Support the outbreak response team to prepare an external communications strategy, including the engagement with political, religious, and community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Develop polio-related media and external communication packages.
• Identify a media focal person and spokesperson from the government, WHO, and UNICEF.
• Work with partners and government counterparts to conduct a press brief/media release, if appropriate, and update donors and partners on work progress.
• Host weekly calls with WHO polio communications counterparts in country offices, regional offices, and HQ.
• Receive and review all media releases/news feeds related to the outbreak and share with focal points. Target other non-media communication channels that could be more effective in certain settings. 
• Update talking points and FAQs, as needed (e.g., with changing epidemiology and ahead of vaccination rounds).

Other:

• Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by heads of country offices, regional directors, and other partners to support the successful response to the outbreak.

 All candidates screened for the Global UNICEF Polio Outbreak Response Team Roster must meet the basic UNICEF eligibility requirements, competencies and skills as follows:

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field. At least two years of additional relevant work experience in the same field may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.

Experience:

• At least 3 to 5 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset
• Experience of working in Emergency context and in particular polio outbreak response an asset.
• A basic understanding of UNICEF’s core commitments to children in humanitarian action, humanitarian principles, standards, coordination mechanisms, gender and diversity aspects of humanitarian work and / or a willingness to learn these areas via the Humanitarian Learning Pathways.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English and French or Arabic is required. Fluency in any other UN language is an asset.

How to apply

Applicants are invited to apply through UNICEF e-recruitment website, with a:

• Completed UNICEF Profile
• Completed P-11 History Form, with CV and Motivation letter
• Indicate a daily fee (mandatory)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”