Job Description

For every child, Hope

Somalia has the most stubborn cVDPV2 transmission globally, with international spread to Kenya and Ethiopia. Interruption of cVDPV2 transmission in Somalia is a high priority for completing global polio eradication. In late 2017, twin outbreaks of cVDPV type 2 and cVDPV type 3 were detected in Somalia. The cVDPV3 outbreak was declared successfully stopped in March 2021, 30 months after this strain of polio was last detected. It left six children paralyzed. The spread and continuation of current cVDPV2 outbreaks in Somalia is driven by several factors, most notably declining mucosal immunity to type 2 virus, mostly among young children born after the tOPV-bOPV switch and the programme's inability to reach children due to conflict.

How can you make a difference 

The Advocacy Specialist is accountable for coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children. This includes supporting the implementation of national advocacy strategies.

The Advocacy Specialist will report to the Chief of Communication (Level 5) and is expected to work closely with the immunization team in UNICEF Somalia’s Health section.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

This staff member will drive the development of effective, integrated PEI/immunization advocacy and communication strategies. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at headquarters, country and regional level, as well as with external partners, to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. S/he will target global advocacy fora and support effective advocacy at the national level. Duties include:

1. Advocacy strategy development:

• Provide technical support in developing a robust advocacy strategy for polio eradication, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change. Analyze national political, economic and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.
• Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.

2. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate the implementation of the advocacy strategy and plan, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

3. Advocacy M&E:

• Establish baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities, and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of advocacy M&E results on a regular basis.

This staff member will drive the development of effective, integrated PEI/immunization advocacy and communication strategies. S/he will work collaboratively with colleagues across UNICEF at headquarters, country and regional level, as well as with external partners, to drive changes in policy and practice and secure political and financial commitments for children. S/he will target global advocacy fora and support effective advocacy at the national level. Duties include:

4. Advocacy strategy development:

• Provide technical support in developing a robust advocacy strategy for polio eradication, with SMART outcomes, compelling calls to action, and a clear theory of change. Analyze national political, economic and cultural trends from a wide range of sources and identify potential advocacy opportunities and challenges.
• Propose new approaches and innovative ideas as part of the strategy development process.

5. Advocacy strategy implementation:

• Coordinate the implementation of the advocacy strategy and plan, working across teams to deliver a range of advocacy tactics, such as: developing advocacy briefs and products, producing advocacy narratives, shaping creative activations to drive public engagement, working with the media, and organizing advocacy events.

6. Advocacy M&E:

• Establish baselines against which advocacy outcomes are regularly monitored; analyze the effectiveness of the strategy, approach and activities, and drive the day-to-day production and dissemination of advocacy M&E results on a regular basis.

7. Project and Budget Management:

• Manage day-to-day delivery of key projects/ workstreams, reviewing work plans to ensure progress and delivery while addressing obstacles and bottlenecks. Ensure effectiveness and transparent use of budget and resources.

8. Advocacy Capacity Building:

• Contribute to building stakeholder capacities in advocacy, through coaching, training and sharing of advocacy expertise.

9. Stakeholder engagement:

• Identify, build and maintain formal and informal advocacy partnerships and networks through proactive collaboration with strategic internal and external partners.
• Adopt a consultative approach and solicit the support of key stakeholders at critical points of the strategy.

Experiences and Qualifications

• An Advanced University degree in Public Health. * A first level university degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in PEI/immunization in Somalia.
• Experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, with clear theories of change, with specific, measurable and timebound objectives and performance indicators.
• A track record of achieving or contributing to tangible policy change.
• Proven experience in deploying a range of advocacy tactics based on a clear theory of change.
• Experience in building and maintaining a network of advocacy stakeholders, and in working with advocacy coalitions.
• Strong communicator with emphasis on being able to present complex policy ideas in succinct, engaging ways through campaign narratives and creative tactics.
• Demonstrated experience in design and management of projects, including budget management and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills Required

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