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, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and providing attractive compensation and benefits.

Job Overview:
The Social and Behavior Change Specialist position at UNICEF focuses on generating and utilizing research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of social and behavior change (SBC) programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including government officers and UN/NGO partners, to conduct SBC situation analyses and formative research that identify social and behavioral drivers affecting immunization. The specialist will also design, plan, and implement SBC activities that are evidence-based and engage communities effectively. This position requires a strong emphasis on operationalizing SBC through advocacy, resource mobilization, and partnership building, as well as promoting continuous learning and capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform SBC programs, including conducting qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers of immunization.
• Establish community feedback mechanisms to inform SBC actions for disaster preparedness and resilience.
• Design and implement SBC activities backed by evidence and strong community engagement mechanisms.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and monitor evidence-based SBC strategies and activities.
• Support operationalization of SBC by advocating for its integration in national health systems and mobilizing resources.
• Promote continuous learning and capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners through training and development of SBC materials.
• Identify and develop mechanisms to strengthen community engagement in humanitarian contexts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development program planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, or public advocacy is required. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization, as well as experience working in a developing country, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Political Science. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social and behavior change initiatives and their implementation in various contexts.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas related to social development program planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, or public advocacy. Experience in a UN system agency or organization, as well as working in a developing country, is considered advantageous and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the position.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of English and another local language is considered an asset, while proficiency in another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is also beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve working in both development and humanitarian contexts, requiring flexibility and adaptability. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared for rigorous reference and background checks, and compliance with medical clearance and vaccination requirements is necessary for employment.