Communication for Development Specialist -Community Development L-3

Terms of Reference for Temporary Assistance

Position Title: Communication for Development Specialist -Community Development L-3

Fee: (Fee to be determined by HR)

Location: Nairobi with frequent travel to the field

Duration: 1 year

Start Date: February, 2013

Reporting to: Chief, C4D Specialist

Justification

Communication for Development (C4D) is one of the most empowering ways of improving health, nutrition and other key social outcomes for children and their families. Evidence has shown that large-scale behaviour change in four key practices (exclusive breastfeeding, sleeping under insecticide-treated nets, hand washing at critical times, and using oral rehydration to treat diarrhea) can reduce child mortality by as much as 40 per cent (The Lancet, 2003). To facilitate the adoption of key child protection, survival and development promoting behavior and practices, communication interventions including those focused on engaging and empowering communities is required.

Strategic communication goes beyond just information dissemination, education, or awareness-raising to striving for sustainable behavior and social change. In order to effect behavior change, it is necessary to understand why people do what they do and understand the barriers to change or adopting new practices and work with empower both community and individuals over time to create a necessary shifty is a systematic and sustainable manner. Communication for development therefore emphasise the need for generating dialogue among stakeholders.

The UNICEF C4D strategic approach emphasizes a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategic process to promote positive and measurable individual behaviour and social change and the use of dialogue and consultation with, and participation of children, their families and communities adapted to the local contexts plus a mix of communication tools, channels and approaches to achieve desired change.

The Mid Term Review of the country office programme noted the need for greater emphasis of C4D on community engagement for sustainable and long term social and behaviour change. The review in addition noted limited capacity for increased community engagement and dialogue aimed at addressing social and behaviour change including at the local level to facilitate adaption of C4D planning and delivery to the local context. To address the MTR concerns, the country office had initiated action to facilitate focus on not just individual behaviour but collective and social change with implications for greater community level interventions and engagement. There is a need for the Specialist technical support/input for the conceptualisation, planning, establishment of appropriate structures that would support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community level social and behaviour change interventions and facilitate the building of stakeholder’s capacities for appropriate response. It is in regard to the above that the service of a C4D Specialist at on Temporary Assistance basis at L3 is required.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance of the Chief, Communication for Development (C4D) and in close coordination with other C4D section staff and relevant section programme staff, responsible for the design/formulation, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of a concept for community engagement framework that identifies appropriate and innovative methodologies/approaches for optimal community engagement for effective social and behavior change. Provide C4D technical support for the implementation of the Community Health Strategy. Document lessons learned and support resource mobilization for community engagement. Facilitate capacity building for behavior and social change. Build strong partnerships between UNICEF, UN Organisations, Government, CBO and NGO counterparts at national, divisional and district level and promote the strengthening of interdepartmental coordination related to communication for development for child survival and development initiatives at the national, provincial and county levels.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and TASKS

1. Community engagement strategy and plan and implementation for social and behavioural change Designs, and facilitates the implementation of Communication for Development/community engagement framework, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and promotion for social and behavioural change in support of country programme delivery.

• In collaboration with UNICEF section programme staff, decision makers and planners of government and UNICEF partners, the Communication for Development Specialist designs, manages and facilitates the implementation of community engagement strategy and plans of action aiming at programme target beneficiaries and key stakeholders 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.

• Analyze existing policy environment and administrative systems which facilitate or hinder the process of improving efficiency and effectiveness of community engagement for social and individual behavior change and recommend corrective actions to be taken.

• Makes viable recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of participatory communication, social mobilization and behaviour change planning implementation and monitoring and on appropriate effective materials, media and mechanisms to reach target audiences.

1. Programme communication materials

Organizes the research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials.

• In collaboration with UNICEF Section programme colleagues, government counterparts and partners, the Communication for Development Specialist organizes and manages the formative research, development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery, including facilitating behaviour change, where necessary.

• Ensures the quality, consistency and appropriateness of communication materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated at the community and household levels.

1. Partnerships for social mobilization

Develops and enhances strong partnerships with community groups and power structures, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society for promotion of participation in social and behavioural changes supportive of programme goals.

• Establishes a C4D partnership map and develops partnerships with community level organization and structures, religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, and other organized groups in the community, as well as civil society organizations, to orient them on UNICEF C4D and programme goals and to solicit their involvement and collaboration.

• Ensure the mainstreaming of gender and an equity focus in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of C4D interventions at the community and household levels.

1. Capacity building support

Develops training materials and activities to build capacity for participatory and behaviour change communication.

• Working alongside concerned UNICEF programme sections, government structures, ministries, provincial, county and district representatives, helps to build capacity of government and community structures, so as to enable them to participate effectively in project planning, monitoring and reporting

• Develops training materials and activities to build capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel who are involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programme communication/community engagement intervention, in support of programme sustainability.

• Build capacity of local communities, including Community Development Groups, to organize, plan, and develop their communities

1. Coordination and collaboration with government and partners.

Provides effective coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of effective mechanisms for community engagement for communication for positive social change/development.

• Coordinates with government counterparts in the development and appropriate use of communication for social development aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action. Provide technical support as required.

• Build strong partnerships between UNICEF, UN, Government, CBO and NGO counterparts at provisional, county and community level and promote the strengthening of interdepartmental coordination related to Communication for Child Survival and Development at these level

• Collaborates 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 country office C4D strategies.

1. Monitoring and evaluation

Monitor and evaluate programme activities and prepare monitoring and evaluation reports. Exchange findings, experiences, lessons learned and new methods with partners.

• Monitors and evaluates programme activities on the basis of applied communication research and frequent visits to project sites.

• Analyses and evaluates data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend Corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. Prepares monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with the established guidelines, methods and procedures. Provides technical advice to programme staff, government officials and other counterparts, and facilitate/participate in the evaluative elements of country programme milestone meetings, such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.

• Through close coordination with national Community Development groups and personnel at the regional and local level, promote the collection, analysis and utilisation of qualitative and quantitative information reflecting the impact of project interventions on the lives of individuals and entire communities in a holistic, developmental way and its use for planning, Disseminates communication research findings, ensures exchanges and sharing of experience, lessons learned, best practices, and new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.

1. Budget planning and management of program funds

Participate in the budget planning and ensure the compliance and the optimal appropriation of allocated programme funds.

• Participates in and contributes to the budget and programme review and planning. Establishes programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.

• Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and liquidated.

RWPPCR/IRs areas covered

Result Area: Provide strategic communication planning and implementation support for sustained behaviour development/change to programme sectors in focus counties, for increasing demand and utilization for high impact package of services for child survival, development, protection, and Education and HIV interventions.

Expected Deliverables

KEY END-RESULTS

1. Community engagement strategy and plan of action strategically developed and formulated, and the implementation effectively managed, facilitated and executed for social and behavioural change in support of efficient and effective country programme results delivery.
2. Culturally relevant programme communication materials designed, pre-tested, and produced timely, meeting requirements and quality standards.
3. Strong partnerships with community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society developed and enhanced for promotion of participation in social and behavioural changes supportive of programme goals.
4. Effective training materials and activities organized, developed and implemented to build capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication at various government and partners levels.
5. Technical support effectively provided to government counterparts and partners in the development and effective engagement of community for communication for social development and change.
6. Monitoring and evaluation of community engagement programme interventions/activities and preparation of reports timely and properly undertaken. Findings, experiences, lessons learned, best practices and new methods documented and effectively shared with key stakeholders, government officials, programme staff, and other partners.
7. Budget properly planned, monitored and controlled, ensuring allocated funds optimally appropriated.

Desired background and experience

• Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education), community development with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, participatory communication/ research.

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of community organisation and participation, behaviour and social change communication, including several years in developing countries, with practical experience in

• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization.

• Previous experience in developing countries with similar conditions to those in Countries of Service under consideration will be an advantage.

• Excellent written and spoken English with demonstrated ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Specific Technical Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of: communication theory, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media, community organization and participation, strategic communication planning, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.

• Knowledge of inter-disciplinary approach in programme development and implementation in programme communication, social mobilization and behavioural change.

• Knowledge of and skills in programme communication networking, advocacy and negotiation.

• Knowledge of training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication intervention.

• Knowledge and experience to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies. Knowledge of community capacity building.

• Computer knowledge, skills and practical experience, including internet navigation, network, telecommunications and various office applications.

• Ability to quickly build rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Conditions (Important)

Please consult with HR on entitlements as many are set by UNICEF rules.

How to apply:

Interested and suitable should forward their applications to:-

The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org