Cluster Consultants (Polio Communication) at UNICEF Nigeria

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria is supporting the Government of Nigeria to strengthen prevention of and response all forms of violence against children. In particular, assistance will be provided to strengthen the child protection system, including through modelling the system in four States, in order to demonstrate the impact of a well-functioning child protection system, to develop a common model for operationalizing the Child Rights Act at State level and to develop standardized tools, including regulations, working protocols and training manuals to govern the system.

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Cluster Consultants (Polio Communication)

Ref No: VN-NGR-45-2015
Location: Taraba State
Level: NOB
Type of Appointment: Special Service Agreement (SSA) for 11 months

Purpose of the Consultancy

• To support a duster of high risk LGAs to develop and implement social mob mobilization strategies for polio and routine immunization - during and in-between polio campaigns. It is expected that intensified household and community engagement wilt contribute to a reduction in missed children and high quality polio campaigns. The consultants will also support the LGA Teams and supervise a number of WA consultants on their day to day polio and other supplemental immunization activities, aiming to achieve results in the short term and in dose coordination with the partners in immunization activities.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• To work with a duster of high risk LGN/Ward teams to ensure deeper ward analysts, planning and implementation of strategic communications interventions and be responsible for basic monitoring. The specific communication interventions to be implemented in each ward will be informed by local knowledge and unique characteristics of the wards.
• To support development of a LGA Social Mobilization Action Plans for 51Mw and mop-ups targeting high risk Wards in the high risk LGA5 within the State.
• To facilitate, in coordination with UNICEF Field offices and State International Consultants, the effective use of UNICEF social mobilization funds (channeled through the Government departments) at the State, LGA and Ward levels for SIAs.
• To support training of State/LGP/Ward staff and Vaccination personnel In social mobilisation activities including interpersonal communications.
• To advocate with LGA/Ward policy makers, religious and traditional leadership for support for the implementation of polio campaign activities and routine immunization.
• To participate in the Planning and Implementation of Media and Communication activities and work with Media groups and networks for coordinating UNICEF supported programmes during SNIDs.
• To work directly and collaborate with Traditional leaders at the district and ward level for increased community participation and OPV acceptance to reduce missed children during campaigns.
• To design and implement group-specific strategies to reach herd to reach, nomadic and minority groups at the LGA, district and ward levels.
• To participate in the State/LGA social mobilization committees within their duster of LGAs and provide direct action-advocacy support for addressing issues related to refusal, resistance and rejection at the ward level.
• To participate in State/LGA/Ward NID management team activities geared toward successful implementation of SIAs,
• To collect data at the WA, district and ward levels and analyze data for specific trends/patterns of noncompliance, poor coverage, dropouts, left-outs etc.. and undertake coordinated action to facilitate the process of reaching such communities/households.
• To coordinate with partners, NGOs, CBOs, Religious groups, Women’s groups and Youth groups for their involvement and participation in Polio Eradication activities.
• To work in close collaboration with other partner agencies like WHO, ROTARY, Red Cross, etc
• Ensure strong supervision of the LGA consultants and other polio communication team members within their cluster of LGAs within the accountability framework.

Minimum Qualification

• Master's Degree in Social Sciences or related technical field preferably in Communications
• At least five (5) years progressively responsible profession at work experience at national and particularly international levels in programme planning, management monitoring and evaluation in Immunization Programmes.
• Fluency in English Knowledge of local working language of the duty station en asset.
• Experience in social mobilization and communication and polio eradication campaign, IEC material development, training and negotiation skills and team building.

Bask competencies Include

• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills
• Managerial and supervisory skills
• Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office application
• Demonstration of ability to work in a multi-cultural environment end establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

Application Closing Date
Thursday, 11th June, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should submit their application, accompanied by an updated CV in English and a completed United Nations Personal History Form to: [email protected]

Click Here to Download the United Nations Personal History Form

Note: Please put the position title you are applying for on the subject line of your email. UNICEF 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. Zero tolerance of sexual abuse and exploitation is our policy.