Nigeria: Communication Specialist (Media-Polio), P3

<P>Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria<BR>Contract Type: 1-year Fixed Term (FT)<BR>Application Closing Date: 25 September 2012</P><P>If you are a communications/media expert passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. Help UNICEF accelerate its response to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and eradicate polio by 2012.<BR>The GPEI is the largest public health initiative in history and has achieved 99% reduction of polio cases since its inception in 1988 when the World Health Assembly adopted eradication as a global health goal. As a spearheading partner, UNICEF has the lead role in vaccine supply, logistics and communication. Communication plays a crucial role in polio eradication, fostering understanding of the disease and acceptance of the vaccine. UNICEF has key communication and social mobilization responsibilities in the endemic countries and also in effectively responding to outbreaks, and we are looking for experienced communications/media professionals.</P><P>Vacancies<BR>Under the supervision of the Chief of Communication (Polio), the incumbent will proactively engage national, state, local and regional media to build awareness and encourage buy in from at risk audiences, key opinion leaders and policy makers; ensure packaging and dissemination of culturally relevant targeted media messages to improve visibility and strengthen education and understanding.</P><P>Key responsibilities include:<BR>1. Media strategy and plan of action strategically developed and formulated, and the implementation effectively managed, facilitated and executed at the national, state and LGA levels.<BR>2. Press releases prepared and distributed, periodic media briefs, and media missions to update media on the polio situation and challenges organized in Nigeria before each round of IPDs, in collaborate with the Public Relations Unit at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.<BR>3. Strategies that ensures the full participation and support of the media and leverage mass media through such activities as media mapping, partnership with Nigeria Television authority, National Orientation Agency, federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Guild of editors supported technically. Foreign correspondents based in Nigeria engaged through regular meetings, workshops, and interactive sessions to promote the inclusion of polio issues on their agendas.<BR>4. Quarterly Media training/workshops for national and state-based and select LGA-based reporters/journalists organized to ensure support in creation/copy writing of relevant material.<BR>5. Technical support effectively provided to government counterparts including the NPHCDA for the development of a database of mass media products such as advocacy kits, radio and video documentaries, photographs, Fact Sheets, etc.<BR>6. Daily media analysis of the dailies in the country conducted and fed back regularly to partners at the National, State and LGA levels. Quarterly informal interaction-meetings organized with editors/senior correspondents to brief them on the Polio Eradication Initiative and EPI and associated issues (diarrhoea management, nutrition, sanitation etc) in order to bolster positive and factual media coverage of the programme, based upon the media analysis and the monthly media update prepared by the Media Specialist.<BR>7. Budget properly planned, monitored and controlled, ensuring allocated funds optimally appropriated. </P><P>Qualifications<BR>1. Advanced university degree in the social/behavioral sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.<BR>2. Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes, including several years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.<BR>3. Fluency in English. Knowledge of local working language(s) of the duty station is desirable.</P>

Nigeria: Communication Specialist (Media-Polio), P3

Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria Contract Type: 1-year Fixed Term (FT) Application Closing Date: 25 September 2012 If you are a communications/...

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