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Communication Specialist (Polio) P3, Temporary Appointment, 6 Months, Abuja Nigeria
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
P3 Mid-level Professional Temporary Internationallly Recruited
Closing soon: 9 Apr 2026
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Posted 7 hours ago
Job Description

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. 

And we never give up! 

For every child, the right to 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 - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

Background:
 
UNICEF is seeking a Polio Communication Specialist to lead and coordinate advocacy and communication efforts aimed at strengthening political commitment, refining advocacy and communication strategies, engaging local partners, and addressing misinformation related to polio eradication. The position will particularly focus on priority states including Kebbi and Sokoto.
 
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. In Nigeria, UNICEF operates in a complex humanitarian and development context to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with government, civil society, communities, and families. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the Assignment:

Nigeria has made significant progress in the fight against polio; however, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, harmful social and gender norms, limited political commitment, population movement, security concerns, and weak health systems continue to affect eradication efforts.
UNICEF, together with government and GPEI partners, is working to catalyze transformative change through strengthened community engagement, improved outbreak response mechanisms, enhanced health systems, and increased political commitment and funding.
Under the supervision of the Senior Health Manager/Polio Team Lead, the Communication Specialist will lead and coordinate advocacy and communication initiatives to strengthen political commitment, public awareness, and community engagement for polio eradication and immunization in Nigeria.
 
Major Responsibilities:
 
1.Strategy development:
 
Close coordination with the Nigeria country office CAP section.
 
2.Political Advocacy and Leadership Engagement:
 
Lead advocacy initiatives with political, traditional, and influential leaders at state, and local government levels to strengthen commitment to polio eradication and outbreak response.
 
Engage LGA chairpersons, their spouses, and other influential leaders in priority states mainly Sokoto and Kebbi.
 
3. Media Engagement and Capacity Strengthening:
 
Engage traditional media and social influencers to provide regular updates on polio eradication progress.
 
Strengthen media capacity and ensure accurate and consistent communication on polio and immunization.
 
4. Public Engagement and Communication Campaigns:
 
Design and implement initiatives to strengthen public awareness and engagement on polio eradication.
 
Support digital engagement initiatives including U-Report polls and other influence platforms to assess public awareness and promote community participation.
 
Coordinate field visits to hard-to-reach areas with UNICEF champions, celebrities, and media representatives.
 
5. Documentation and Knowledge Management:
 
Document best practices and success stories of health workers, community leaders, and policymakers supporting polio eradication.
 
Produce documentaries, articles, and communication materials highlighting progress and lessons learned.

if you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR TA Communications Specialist Abuja Nigeria.pdf

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

Minimum requirements.

Advanced university degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health, or related fields, alternatively, a first university degree with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in communications, journalism, advocacy, or public affairs.
 
Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, advocacy, or media.
 
Experience working in public health communication is an asset.
 
Field experience and familiarity with emergency settings are desirable.
 
Strong communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills.
 
Experience working with digital communication platforms and media relations.
 
Language Requirements
 
• Fluency in English is required.
 
• Knowledge of Nigerian languages is considered an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

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.

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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children.

All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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