Communication Specialist, Polio, P-4, New York, USA

Purpose: Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Communication Manager, Health, the incumbent will:
Provide over-all leadership on media, external relations and communication product development, in support of the UNICEF polio eradication interventions globally. This entails providing analysis on media and public relations opportunities and threats, and providing guidance and strategic planning and inputs for the Polio Unit and across the GPEI partnership and with multiple sectors, including, External communications, Communication 4 Development, Training, Media and Advocacy, EPI, and Monitoring and Evaluation. Lead the design and implementation of a coherent UNICEF work-plan for media engagement and public information. Lead the polio eradication team in the design of electronic media, web pages, social media and publications. Provide guidance, standards and quality oversight for Regional and Country Offices media relations, and monitoring and messaging for polio eradication; Develop mechanisms and strategies for compilation, dissemination etc of experiences, lessons learned and partner coordination on public communication;

Key Expected Result:

1. Strategic development of external communications objectives and key messages, including collaboration with other programme sections, DOC, PARMO, PFP and C4D, and other health section priorities and cross cutting initiatives. Provides overall guidance to the polio team on public relations and stakeholder engagement, including technical and policy advice to C4D and advocacy, resource mobilization focal points to ensure UNICEF polio objectives are reflected in public communication activities and events. Supports implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public communication / media engagement activities for the polio eradication initiative.

End Result(s): Clear articulation of UNICEF’s public communication strategy and work plan, with activities, events and messages in alignment with UNICEF polio eradication objectives.

1. Leads the polio team in oversight and management of communication and media products, including social media (web stories, infographics, PSA’s, film, photography) in line with the objectives and messages of UNICEF’s polio communications strategy. Develops a system of information sharing and repository for all products and supports knowledge management among UNICEF Regional and Country Offices and the GPEI partnership.

End Result(s): Communication products and social media created and disseminated to support UNICEF polio eradication objectives. 3. Develop and manage UNICEF polio team media engagement strategy and serve as the focal point, together with DOC, for outreach and media relations. Conduct media landscape analysis, monitor coverage in international media, identify opportunities to improve coverage of GPEI and UNICEF activities and develop strategies and mechanisms to ensure accurate and positive media coverage. Provide policy guidelines and technical support to Regional and Country Offices on media relations, including training and direct contributions to their programme strategies, implementation and evaluation.

End Result(s): Global, regional and country level media engagement strategies in place, with mechanisms to monitor and ensure media coverage is accurate, fair and supportive of GPEI objectives. 4. Lead in the development and finalization of external publications, reports, internal and external briefing notes and other written documentation. Develop templates for summarizing UNICEF and GPEI information for knowledge management, to inform UNICEF senior management, partners and to support advocacy activities.

End Result(s): Contribution to preparation of quality documents for the programme

1. Lead on GPEI partnership coordination on external communication strategies, messages, activities and press releases. Participates in global forums for communication, advocacy and external relations, provides updates on partnership issues, challenges and events to the polio team and UNICEF senior management.

End Result(s): UNICEF’s objectives for GPEI and child survival are represented well within the global polio eradication partnership and in joint public communication activities. Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Qualification: Advanced university degree in journalism, public relations or communication sciences (PhD/Master level)* Demonstrated understanding of current developments in the field of public communication, knowledge management, development planning and processes, media, strategic communication media monitoring and evaluation Technical knowledge of methodologies for media analysis

8 years of relevant work experience in public relations and external communication planning, implementation and evaluation across different cultural contexts, with at least 3 years in developing countries Proven successful experience in strategic media engagement and relations and developing large-scale media strategies Proven successful experience in knowledge management and communication product development Knowledge of UN and/or UNICEF’s mandate and work in health and polio eradication

Fluency in English and another UN language. *A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Competencies: Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.

Seeks and proposes opportunities for advancing UNICEF's mission.

How to apply:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading childrens rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2013-001246. Applications must be received by 17 July 2013.

Vacancy position link: https://careers.unicef.org/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/hrrcf_a_posting_apply?PA...

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.