Digital Communications Officer (Polio Programme)

Pakistan remains one of the last two countries where wild poliovirus continues to circulate, making strategic communication central to achieving global eradication. UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan in delivering evidence based, community centred communication to address misinformation, build trust, and increase vaccine acceptance across high risk communities. Despite major progress, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and gaps in public confidence remain key challenges.

The proposed UNV Digital Communications Officer will strengthen the digital evidence-based, community-cantered communication by integrating AI-enabled digital engagement, social and community listening, and misinformation management into routine programme operations. The volunteer will contribute to the development and implementation of an AI-assisted digital SBC strategy, strengthen real-time insight generation and rumour response systems, and build the capacity of PEI and communication teams to apply ethical, data-driven, and behaviourally informed approaches that improve community trust and vaccination uptake contributing to protecting every child in Pakistan from polio while gaining exposure to one of the most complex global health initiatives.

This assignment will offer the volunteer the chance to meaningfully contribute to a mission of global significance while developing professional skills in an international, multicultural UN environment.

Under the direct supervision of Senior Social Behaviour Change and Communication Manager, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Digital Communications and Content Development

- Support the development and implementation of digital communication and SBC activities aligned with Polio Programme priorities.

- Develop and adapt engaging, audience-focused digital content across platforms, including multilingual content, using A/B testing to optimize messaging, engagement and calls to action, where appropriate.

- Co-create locally relevant pre-bunking and debunking content in local languages with the support of local staff, using myth-versus-fact formats, trusted voices and compelling storytelling tailored to priority audiences and districts.

- Support the development of communication content to address misinformation and strengthen trust in vaccination.

- Support the planning and implementation of targeted digital campaigns, including social media and other relevant digital channels.

- Monitor digital engagement and campaign performance and contribute to adjustments based on available data and audience insights.

Social Listening & Misinformation Response

- Support social and community listening activities to identify emerging concerns, misinformation and communication trends.

- Support the analysis and synthesis of digital and community feedback to inform communication activities.

- Contribute to the development of timely communication responses to misinformation and rumours.

- Coordinate with relevant teams to support consistent and evidence-based messaging.

- Support the responsible and ethical use of digital and AI-enabled tools, where applicable.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

- Develop guidance notes, SOPs and practical toolkits on ethical AI use in SBC.

- Facilitate trainings and workshops for PEI, SBC and communication teams on AI applications, misinformation management and digital analytics interpretation.

- Produce a field-ready AI & Digital SBC Playbook with templates, message banks, and troubleshooting guides.

- Support development of dashboards for real-time performance monitoring.

- Document lessons learned and good practices from UNICEF–JICA collaboration for internal knowledge sharing and potential replication in other settings.

- Examine the potential application of lessons learned and experiences to other countries.

- Coordinate with JICA-supported health and community engagement programmes to align AI-enabled digital SBC approaches, share behavioural insights, and explore joint adaptation of digital tools and methodologies in priority districts.

- Support visibility of Government of Japan and JICA funding vaccine procurement under PEI.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

- Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;

- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.