Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 26 Jul 2017
I. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job:
The Government of Lebanon in year 2000 introduced new water sector legislation leading to the divestment of responsibility for water service provision to (4) Water Establishments (WE), which operate at a regional level, and planning and policy responsibility remaining with the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) at the national level. The legislation is only partially implemented leading to unclear approval procedures, freeze in recruitment and a lack of visibility of WE’s.
Fifteen years on, customer surveys continue to show that the WE’s have limited visibility within the community and as a consequence struggle to raise community awareness on need to support water and wastewater services, and the process to report issues resulting in leakage and environmental damage.
UNICEF is a lead agency supporting the MEW, and WE’s in the WASH sector in Lebanon. However, there is a need for WE’s to improve autonomy, transparency and accountability for their service provision. Improvements in service provision by WE’s will ensure the water/wastewater infrastructure UNICEF is implementing with the WE’s is sustainable and ultimately WE’s become more independent using funds raised through rates to implement infrastructure, and ensure operation and maintenance.
UNICEF has therefore supported the Water Establishments in elaborating regional Communication and Engagement Plans aiming at strengthening the relationship and communication between the Water Establishments and the customers. These plans need now to be implemented by the Water Establishments, who have required support from UNICEF.
Job organizational context: The Communication and Engagement Specialist is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the Child Survival and Development Program is a component of the Country Program and UNDAF. The Communication and Engagement Specialist reports to the Chief of WASH who is at Level 4.
Purpose for the job: The Specialist provides technical and operational support in the development of a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for the Communication and Engagement component of UNICEF WASH programme in support to the Ministry of Energy and Water and Water Establishments as an integral part of program development, planning and implementation to promote measureable behavioral and social change/mobilization through communication, engagement, empowerment and participation of stakeholders, partners constituents, communities and civil society to achieve successful and sustainable concrete (program/project) results on children’s rights, survival and wellbeing in the country.
II. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1.Support to strategy design/ update and development of The Communication and Engagement Plan for the Water Establishments2.Implementation of the Communication and Engagement Plan activities3.Technical and operational support4.Advocacy, networking and partnership building5.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
1.Support to strategy design and development of Communication and Engagement Plan for the Water Establishments:•In coordination with UNICEF C4D section and Communication section, conduct and/or participate in comprehensive situation analysis of social, cultural, economic and political issues in the country/region related to the relationship between the customers and the Water Establishments, including through national/subnational working groups or committees. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the Communication and Engagement component of the WASH Section in support to the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Water Establishments. •Participate in country program planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of program results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies and plans of action for UNICEF WASH programme and the Water Establishments to promote behavioral and social change.•Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for the Communication and Engagement Plan and strategies (as a component of the WASH programme and/or UNDAF Programs) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results. •Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of the Communication and Engagement Plan with UNICEF WASH programme, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level.
2.Implementation of Communication and Engagement activities:
•Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design or update the Communication and Engagement plan and strategies for the Water Establishment, including formulation, production and testing materials and/or to organize Communication events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.•Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community networks, etc.). Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.•Provide technical guidance to Communication Officers embedded in the Water Establishment to carry out Communication and Engagement activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc. to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable program results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for Communication events.•Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia and other strategic partners to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s or Water Establishments competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on children’s rights, and measurable changes in social and behavioral outcomes.•Conduct and/or participate in M&E exercises, including country program previews, meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of Communication and Engagement on UNICEF WASH programme and CO Strategic Plans/Goals. Recommend timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.
3.Technical and operational support:
•Collaborate with internal CO (especially C4D and Communication Section), RO and/or RO colleagues to contribute to the development of strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of WASH Communication and Engagement Plan implementation and delivery of results.•Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for advocacy and investments related to the Communication and Engagement Plan and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.•Participate in budget planning and management of program funds and prepare financial plan for any initiatives related to the Communication and Engagement Plan. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.
4.Advocacy, networking and partnership building:
•Advocate to the Ministry of Energy and Water to include and prioritize in the global WASH strategy a software component on community mobilization and awareness that will bring sustainability to investments and respond to UNICEF WASH mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.•Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks; celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of (socially aware) society and critical audience to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for advocacy to promote the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Water Establishments.•Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance the Communication and Engagement Plan outreach.•Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; National UN Communication for Development Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF planning and preparation of advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives related to support to the Ministry of Energy and Water and Water Establishments.
5.Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:
•Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms and networks for the Communication and Engagement Plan that are appropriate/available for the context and audience.•Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, and disseminate these products to key audiences including donors and partners.•Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners (government and non-government) in Communication and community engagement planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programs/projects.
III. Impact of Results:The strategic and effective development and implementation of the Communication and Engagement Plan directly impact on the ability of Ministry of Energy and Water and Water Establishments to promote social, political and economic action and changes in behaviors, social attitudes, beliefs, social norms and actions by communities, individuals and society. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF WASH programme to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable, locally-owned and concrete results in improving the survival, development and wellbeing of children in the country. IV. Competencies and level of proficiency required:
Core Values:•Commitment •Diversity and inclusion•Integrity
Core competencies:•Communication (III)•Working with people (II)•Drive for results (II)
Functional Competencies:•Leading and supervising (I)•Formulating strategies/concepts (II)•Relating and networking (II)•Persuading and influencing (II) •Applying technical expertise (II)•Entrepreneurial thinking (II)
V. Recruitment Qualifications:
Education: An Advanced University Degree in social and behavioral science, sociology, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.
A University degree in combination with qualifying experience can be accepted in lieu of the advanced University degree.
Experience:A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, communication, communications and development, public advocacy and/or related areas at the international and/or large organization some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
Experience on communication work of the MENA region is a strong asset. Past experience in working with the Lebanese Government and especially the Ministry of Energy and Water and Water Establishments is an asset.
Language Requirements:Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=505719