The Social and Behavior Change Specialist reports to the head of the section or Deputy Representative for general guidance and supervision. The Specialist provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned, and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of program development, planning, and implementation. Through communication and engagement, as well as the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, s/he promotes measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival, and well-being in the country.

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, vision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAnl4VsbwHk

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behavior Change Specialist reports to the head of the section or Deputy Representative for general guidance and supervision. The Specialist provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned, and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of program development, planning, and implementation. Through communication and engagement, as well as the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, s/he promotes measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival, and well-being in the country.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Generate & Use Evidence: Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.
2. Design, plan, and implement: Design, plan, and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.
3. Advocate & Build Partnerships: Support the operationalization of SBC by advocating for SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors, and teams, and partnership building.
4. Build Capacities Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners.

 Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.

• In collaboration with sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers, and other UN/NGO partners, design and conduct SBC situation analyses and formative research that identify social and behavioral drivers; initiate, commission, manage and/or utilize qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers that include behavioral analysis, human-centered design, social listening, behavioral insights, participatory research and/or RCT.
• Establish community feedback mechanisms and use feedback to inform community engagement and SBC actions for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience. Generate and use SBC evidence, data, and assessments for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.
• Develop terms of reference, research tools, frameworks, and protocols for generating evidence to inform SBC initiatives and apply tools, methodologies, and frameworks for data collection, tracking, monitoring reporting, and disseminating SBC results.
• Conduct and/or participate in in-country program monitoring and evaluation exercises and make recommendations on work plan revisions based on the results.
• Develop and manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and consultants for research and evidence generation and support of SBC.

Design, plan, and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.

• In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers, and other UN/NGO partners, develop, implement, and monitor evidence-based SBC strategies and activities, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.
• In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral colleagues and implementing partners, select appropriate SBC activities and platforms for engagement, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and science-backed approaches. In this process, oversee coordination with SBC stakeholders and partners to align plans and activities.
• Identify, propose, and implement evidence-based program/strategy recommendations from current data, evidence, and trends for priority social and behavioral issues to ensure the integration of the latest innovative approaches and technology in SBC in program approaches and advocate for their adoption among internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply the above skills of designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring community engagement and SBC interventions in the context of humanitarian emergencies.
• Make viable recommendations on the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral work plans and strategies. Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral work plans based on active participation in sectoral program planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC.

Support operationalization of SBC by advocating for SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors, and teams, and partnership building.

• Represent UNICEF’s interests in partnerships and manage the development of and progress against joint project agreements with relevant partners; represent the UNICEF CO and SBC Section in national and international level fora and among partners as relevant and necessary.
• Collaborate with national, regional, and/or global partners to link and coordinate SBC approaches.
• Cultivate resource mobilization opportunities and produce proposals, reports, and other materials to support resource mobilization. Contribute to mobilizing human resources for SBC, including staff, consultants, and external vendors.
• Identify, recruit, and supervise consultants, vendors, and other technical expertise to support the delivery of SBC activities. Plan, use, and track the use of resources and verify compliance with organizational guidelines and standards.
• Contribute to financial planning, budget planning tracking, and financial management for SBC.
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC, integrate them into program approaches, and support SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them.
• Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC in national systems, in the country program, and sectoral plans.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC in humanitarian actions.

Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners.

• Identify, design, and organize SBC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including new approaches such as behavioral analysis, behavioral insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms. Develop and/or use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines, and training materials to build SBC capacity among staff, implementing partners, and relevant government and non-government counterparts.
• Develop and institutionalize best practices, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally.
• Plan and implement SBC capacity assessments within the CO.
• Identify and mobilize resources to support capacity development internally and externally and provide SBC technical support and capacity building to government counterparts.
• Initiate and manage partnerships with academia and learning institutions for the delivery of SBC capacity development activities.
• Identify and develop mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement in humanitarian contexts.
• Develop and/or adapt capacity development tools and activities for humanitarian programming with a focus on preparedness, response, and recovery.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development program planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, public advocacy, or another related area.
• A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in place of an Advanced University Degree.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethics 3) Drives to achieve results 4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and 6) Thinks and acts 7) Works collaboratively with 8) Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
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.

Remarks:

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

All selected candidates will 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.

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

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