UNICEF is recruitng

Communication Officer, NOB

Post title: Communication Officer, NOB
Vacancy number: VN-NGR-048-2009
Contract type: Fixed-term
Duration: Two years
Location: Lagos
Deadline for application: Tuesday, 17 November 2009

UNICEF Nigeria seeks the services of a communication officer who will assist in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the communication component of the social policy, advocacy and communication programme in the B Field Office, Lagos, to promote respect for children's rights in support of the field office/country priorities and UNICEF's mission in Nigeria. The incumbent will specifically deal with the media/external relations aspects of the communication component of the field office.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties

1. Develop partnerships with mass media to generate and maintain public interest and support in UNICEF programme results and help set agenda for public discussion. Monitor implementation of media and press media activities by reviewing progress and identifying constraints through dialogue, field visits, and consultation with government counterparts, partners, community and UNICEF programme staff. Prepare analysis and reports on children as it comes out in the print media.
2. Support media/external relations activities such as organizing visits to project sites, facilitating photo coverage and TV footage, including press briefings, conferences and media interviews, to achieve country programme objectives and utilize both web-based and traditional media as appropriate to generate and maintain public interest in children's issues and to tell the story of the Field Office/UNICEF's cooperation to a wider audience. Maintain a resource centre with relevant information materials including photos, slides, videos, tapes, CD-ROMs, posters, leaflets and other audio/visual materials.
3. Monitor the local, national and international media to identify sensitive issues affecting children and advise the Chief of Field Office and Country Office communication team on appropriate action to address the situation. Also identify media opportunities that could be utilized to highlight the issues of children and women in the field office and Nigeria Country Office.
4. Coordinate UNICEF support in one assigned state to ensure convergence of services in fulfilling the basic rights of children in the selected local government areas/communities. Use this experience to advocate with duty bearers and stakeholders at state, local government area and community level to leverage additional resources and implement favourable policies to sustain and expand interventions to other communities.
5. Establish a system to document success stories and use such stories to develop effective materials to support advocacy efforts with key duty bearers and stakeholders to fulfil the rights of children in the field office. Assist the Country and Regional Offices in identifying and obtaining feature stories and other materials to facilitate advocacy and fund-raising activities.
6. Design (or adapt), produce and disseminate advocacy materials for specified audiences, arranging translation into local language(s) as necessary. Identify the need for additional materials/activities, such as radio and television programmes, publications, photographs, websites, etc., to advocate and promote organizational goals within the country, and manage their production and distribution to the target audiences.
7. Assist media houses and institutions to plan and organize relevant training programmes for specific audiences. Identify training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of programme/projects.
8. Prepare cash requests, and supply requests and plans of action, regular monitoring of project inputs and expenditures, routine and annual reports and other project documentation as required.

Minimum qualifications and competencies

* First degree or its equivalent in communications, journalism, public relations or related field; advanced degree an asset.
* Two years practical professional work experience in communication, from print and broadcast media, or interactive digital media and external relations. Field/community base experience is required.
* Fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of another UN language, an asset. Knowledge of local working language(s) of the duty station is desirable.
* Knowledge of current developments in the fields of adult learning theory, community organization and participation.
* Ability to research and/or to supervise formative research; analyze, evaluate and synthesize information.
* Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
* Proven skills in communication and advocacy.
* Relating, networking, persuading and influencing.
* Ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
* Knowledge of computer systems and applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
* Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.

UNICEF, which has a smoke-free environment, is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly women, are strongly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Prepare the following documents

* A completed UN Personal History Form (which can be downloaded from www.unicef.org/employ)
* Your curriculum vitae with your current, detailed contact information (including telephone number and email address)
* A one-page summary statement that shows how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements above.

Only candidates meeting the minimum qualifications and competencies (above) will be considered.

Send your documents in a sealed envelope marked ‘confidential’ and with the vacancy number to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF
UN House
Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District
PMB 2851, Garki, Abuja

Meet the deadline

Applications must be received by UNICEF by midnight (Abuja time) on Tuesday, 17 November 2009. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

RESPONSE

UNICEF will contact short-listed applicants within two weeks of the deadline. UNICEF will not contact applicants who were not short-listed.