UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work to translate that commitment into practical action, especially for the most disadvantaged children in the Pacific.

For every child, in everything we do

In the Pacific we work in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean.

UNICEF field offices are established in Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to support the multi-country programme in the Pacific region. The Communication for Development Officer position is based in the UNICEF Solomon Islands Field Office to support the team on communication, advocacy and communication for development activities.

Watch a quick video to understand the work we do! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43aiG4w2q_M&feature=youtu.be

How can you make a difference?

The position will report to the Chief of Field Office with a second reporting link to Chief of Communication & the C4D Specialist in Suva, Fiji.

There are two key areas of the Communication Officer role:

Assists in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating an advocacy and communication strategy to get children’s and women’s issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEF’s mission and objectives in the country, and enhance the organization’s credibility and brand.

Provide technical and operational support to the Supervisor and Communication for Development team by administering, executing and implementing a variety of tasks to promote community engagement and participation, and measureable behavioral and social change/mobilization.

Below is a detailed list of key functions, accountabilities and related tasks for the post.

1. Support the Office on communication, advocacy and communication for development strategies and work plans at country level

The production of communication products and materials to support the UNICEF Pacific communication strategies ensuring country context;

Develop content and coverage of relevant country efforts to identify effective relevant country programme activities and results;

Develop complementary, country specific and local community materials and activities (e.g. briefing notes, images, videos, web pages etc.) that meet the country and global standards as set out in the Communication Toolkit;

Assist in drafting and editing articles, press releases, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials for both web-based and traditional media, as appropriate. Recommend appropriate information and communication materials for use in media, and other advocacy and communication activities;

Support research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive C4D situation analysis of social, cultural, economic, communication and political issues in the country/region;

Support evidence-based communication strategies for social and behavior change related programme results, as well as for public information and advocacy purposes;

Support the identification and maintenance (stock take) of resources, channels, tools, contacts, and networks to support maximum impact and outreach of communication and community engagement initiatives;

2. Advocacy, media management and partnership building

Effective and timely professional assistance and support are provided in developing, drafting and maintaining contact information, materials and relationships with journalists and media outlets covering all media in the country to communicate the story of UNICEF’s cooperation to a wider audience

Ensure that the field office’s contact list of individuals, groups, organizations and fora (including Government, UN, and bilateral counterparts), are maintained and further developed, whose support is essential to/can assist in achieving the advocacy and communication objectives and who support and are able to actively participate in special events and activities that further the country programme goals;

Build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with national and international civil society organizations, community groups, leaders and other critical partners in the community and civil society to reinforce cooperation through engagement, empowerment and self determination and to pursue opportunities for greater advocacy to promote UNICEF mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness;

Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging to enhance Communication for Development outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes;

Support the organization of public events and mobilization activities to ensure maximum outreach and intended impact of communication strategies (C4D, Advocacy).

3. Support capacity building and systems strengthening initiatives

Support UNICEF Pacific partners in the Solomon Islands in media engagement and capacity building initiatives for appropriate reporting of children rights and wellbeing issues;

Support the organization, administration and implementation of capacity building initiatives to enhance the communication competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners/media across programme sectors in support of program goals in development and humanitarian agenda.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge management

Monitor/track the implementation and progress of communication/advocacy and communication for development activities implemented;

Support the evaluation of results of communication strategies implemented in support of programme goals, assessing contribution, impact and lessons learned.

A Detailed copy of theJob Descriptionis attached Final C4D Officer NOB Solomon Islands.docx

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

Employees’ benefit include family friendly, work-life, and diversity policies

Other Benefits and entitlements include: 30 days Annual leave, Child Dependency allowance and Spousal allowance where applicable, Medical and Dental insurance, Pension scheme, Option of Life insurance, Paid sick leave, Family leave, Maternity & Parental adoption leave including special leave

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.