Social Behavioral Change and Communication Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP is recognized for its efforts and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work in combating hunger and promoting security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. The organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. WFP is committed to fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment, where employees can thrive and contribute to the mission of helping those in need.

Job Overview:
The Social Behavioral Change and Communication (SBCC) Specialist will play a pivotal role in enhancing nutrition outcomes and promoting sustainable food systems in Timor-Leste. This position involves developing and implementing SBCC strategies that aim to improve dietary practices, strengthen social protection systems, and enhance school feeding initiatives. The SBCC Specialist will collaborate closely with government counterparts and key stakeholders to design effective communication interventions that drive positive behavioral changes at various levels, including individual, community, and institutional. The role requires a strong focus on evidence-based strategies that are culturally appropriate and integrated into broader food security and nutrition programs. The incumbent will also be responsible for capacity building, monitoring, and evaluating SBCC interventions, ensuring that they align with national policies and address issues of gender and disability inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The SBCC Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Leading the development and adaptation of SBCC strategies to improve nutrition awareness and dietary diversity in Timor-Leste.
• Supporting the integration of SBCC interventions within nutrition-sensitive social protection programs, including cash transfers and home-grown school feeding initiatives.
• Developing SBCC materials and messaging to encourage the consumption of locally produced nutrient-rich foods.
• Providing technical guidance on nutrition-sensitive behavioral change interventions to improve dietary practices among schoolchildren and communities.
• Designing tailored advocacy messages to engage policymakers and community leaders on sustainable food systems and school feeding.
• Developing training materials to build the capacity of stakeholders and local government officials on SBCC methodologies.
• Collaborating with education, health, and agriculture sectors to promote nutrition-sensitive interventions.
• Implementing monitoring tools to assess the effectiveness of SBCC strategies in changing community behaviors.
• Conducting capacity building and training sessions for WFP colleagues and national SBCC focal points. 1
• Engaging with government institutions and civil society organizations to promote SBCC as a critical component of nutrition and food security policies. 1
• Participating in national and regional working groups to advocate for SBCC integration. 1
• Documenting best practices and success stories related to SBCC interventions. 1
• Facilitating community-driven SBCC campaigns to promote improved nutrition and local food procurement for school meals. 1
• Contributing to the preparation of reports and technical briefs on SBCC implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in social and behavioral change communication, nutrition, public health, or a related field. They should have proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies, particularly in the context of nutrition and food security. Strong analytical skills, the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, and excellent communication skills are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to gender and disability inclusion in their work. Familiarity with the local context and cultural sensitivities in Timor-Leste is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a Master's degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Nutrition, Communication, or a related field is required. Additional certifications or training in SBCC methodologies or nutrition-sensitive programming will be considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in social and behavioral change communication, nutrition, or public health. Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government agencies in similar roles is preferred. Proven track record in capacity building and stakeholder engagement is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Tetum or Portuguese is considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is an International Consultancy role with a contract duration of 11 months. The position is full-time and based in Dili, Timor-Leste. WFP offers an attractive compensation package, which will be detailed in the Terms and Conditions section of the vacancy announcement. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All employment decisions are made based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.