Communication & Advocacy Specialist for Child Protection in Emergencies at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communication & Advocacy Specialist for Child Protection in Emergencies

Job No: 555569
Location: Maiduguri (non-family duty station), Borno (with regular travel within Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States)
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-3
Categories: Child Protection
Duration: 364 dayswith possibility for extension
Reporting To: Child Protection Manager (CPiE), P4

For every child, an advocate

• In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families. 
• UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally.

Background and Rationale

• Following the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in May 2021, there has been a mass exit of children and adults, including fighters from the armed group.
• According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, 57,000 Boko Haram terrorists and their families, comprising 30% females and 48% children, had surrendered.
• Different sources indicate that many people who have surrendered do not pass through the screening process and end up in communities directly.
• This is probably due to the length of the process and the fact that they do not want to stay longer in the dedicated facilities.
• The effective reintegration of children is hindered by the impact of armed conflict on societies, such as the absence of livelihood opportunities, weak economies and markets, and a breakdown of social infrastructure, including schools and health facilities.
• The recent wave of children, youth and women exiting from armed groups lack the support needed to reintegrate due to the highly fragile and unstable security and political environment, weakened state institutions, law and order, impunity and insufficient resources.
• Under the guidance of the Child Protection Manager, provide technical guidance in community based social reintegration of Children, women and adult formerly associated with armed groups and implementation of EU funded Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration (S2R) project (Phase 2) with a focus to implement the advocacy and communications strategy.

Overall Objectives

• The overall objective of the post is to support the successful community-based reintegration of children and adults formerly associated with NSAG in north-east of Nigeria.
• The selected candidate will support the implementation of the community-based social reintegration component of our EU-funded Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State Combatants and Boko Haram Associates project (Phase 2), implemented jointly by IOM, UNDP and UNICEF.
• In between he will also support the No Cost Extension (NCE) period of S2R Project which is end in February 2023
• The “Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State combatants and Boko Haram Associates (S2R) project is funded by EU and aims to achieve the following objectives:
  • To reduced rejection and stigmatization of Former Associates;
  • To increase community healing and reconciliation and decrease sense of injustice
  • To increase sustainable alternatives to violence and social cohesion;
  • To disarm and demobilize non-state security providers;
  • To strengthen trust between citizens and Government.

Major tasks to be accomplished

• Lead and coordinate the implementation of the community based social reintegration, communication and advocacy component of the EU Support for Reconciliation and Reintegration of Former Armed Non-State Combatants and Boko Haram Associates with UNICEF, IOM and UNDP. 
• Lead and support the information dissemination through context-appropriate media, to provide communities with information on the rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reintegration processes aimed at increased transparency, proactively managing expectations and building trust.
• Support UNICEF, UNDP and IOM and implementing partners to prepare the families and communities to receive children, men and women formerly associated with NSAGs through community-led participatory activities in selected communities for effective reconciliation and reintegration.
• Support to promote dialogue and increase community leadership in support mechanisms for reconciliation and reintegration. As recommended in the Borno State Reconciliation and Reintegration Policy, this will include working with religious institutions and leaders to support alternative narratives and inter-faith activities, and craft messages about the importance of tolerance and forgiveness. 
• Support to implement S2R project visibility plan and ensures photographs and/or videos are being taken, filed and used for communications and reporting purposes.
• Engage communication and media channels to inform communities on social reintegration and other key information, including developing content for radio programs and traditional festivals, designing pamphlets, and coordinating with associations, traditional ceremonies, and religious gatherings.
• Provide regular support to government and partners in designing strategic communication, media, and community engagement strategies and implement them through partners
• Support the Ministry of Information to continue to implement public information and awareness campaigns for reintegration, Birth registration, and prevention of grave child rights violations
• Monitoring, planning, implementation and management of the relevant CAACreintegration grants including the EU grants, develop work-plans, monitor implementation.
• Support with timely donor reports of CAAC reintegration related grants such as the EU, Swiss, French Natcom, US State Department, etc.
• Support birth registration program implementation in the three BAY states including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe
• Support interim care service provision in the HajJ, Shokari, and Bulumkutu transit center through effective planning, coordination, and regular monitoring.
• Support to organize high-level donor visits, including EU Field missions and S2R consortium partners' joint field visits for activities' monitoring
• Support with supervising and managing of CTG's 3rd party facilitators.How can you make a difference?
• The overall objective of the post is to support the successful community-based reintegration of children and adults formerly associated with NSAG in the northeast of Nigeria.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have

• An Advanced University Degree in Social / Behavioral Sciences (Social Work, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or other Social Science fields), Anthropology, Development Studies, or its equivalent is required.
• Minimum of 8 years demonstrable professional experience in implementing community-based social reintegration and experience in community mobilization and engagement and social cohesion required
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.
• Ability to conceptualize ideas clearly and concisely in written and oral form, innovative, plan and execute ideas.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.

 Desirable:

• Experience in working with community structures and/or religious groups and leaders on child protection including association of children with armed groups.
• Experience in a protracted conflict environment is a strong advantage. Knowledge of socio-economic, culture, and community development issues in the North-East Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin region is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

Remuneration

• We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

Application Closing Date
9th October, 2022 (W. Central Africa Standard Time).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history.
• Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

• During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply to become a part of the organization.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions.
• Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.
• UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment without compensation if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained or necessary inoculation requirements are not met within a reasonable period for any reason.