Social and Behavior Change Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, emphasizing a culture of inclusivity and growth.

Job Overview:
The Social and Behavior Change Specialist will work under the guidance of the Chief of the SBC Section, collaborating closely with various specialists and officers. The role involves designing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating evidence-based SBC strategies that support the country program. The specialist will generate and utilize research and data to inform SBC design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts. This includes conducting situation analyses and formative research to identify social and behavioral drivers, managing qualitative and quantitative research, and supporting data collection and reporting of SBC results. The specialist will also be responsible for establishing community feedback mechanisms and using this feedback to inform SBC actions for disaster preparedness and resilience. The position requires a strong focus on community engagement and the integration of innovative approaches in SBC programming, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's global standards and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Social and Behavior Change Specialist include:

• Designing, implementing, and monitoring SBC strategies and activities in collaboration with sectoral specialists and partners.
• Conducting SBC situation analyses and formative research to identify social and behavioral drivers.
• Managing qualitative and quantitative research initiatives, including behavioral analysis and participatory research.
• Supporting data collection, tracking, and reporting of SBC results.
• Establishing community feedback mechanisms for disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Advocating for SBC integration in national systems and sectoral workplans.
• Collaborating with national and international partners to coordinate SBC approaches.
• Mobilizing resources and managing project agreements with partners.
• Developing training materials and opportunities for capacity building in SBC. 1
• Promoting continuous learning and scaling up SBC initiatives in both development and humanitarian contexts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a University Degree (Bachelor’s) in social and behavioral sciences, including sociology, anthropology, communication studies, psychology, or a related field. A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development program planning, communication for development, or social and behavior change is required. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset. The candidate must demonstrate UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a University Degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field such as social and behavioral sciences, sociology, anthropology, communication studies, or psychology. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social behavior and the development of effective communication strategies.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in areas such as social development program planning, communication for development, or social and behavior change. Experience within a UN agency or organization is advantageous, as it provides familiarity with the operational context and challenges faced in humanitarian and development settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication capabilities within diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates may be required to undergo medical clearance and meet vaccination requirements. UNICEF does not charge processing fees at any stage of the recruitment process.