Social and Behaviour 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 its mission, fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth, while providing attractive compensation and benefits packages.

Job Overview:
The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist plays a crucial role in the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in Butembo. Reporting to the Ebola RCCE Coordinator, the specialist is responsible for designing and implementing strategies that promote social and behavioral change in affected communities. This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including children, civil society partners, and government counterparts. The specialist's work is vital in influencing behaviors, attitudes, and practices that contribute to the realization of children's rights to survival, development, protection, and participation. The role demands adaptability and cultural sensitivity to effectively address the complex challenges posed by the ongoing Ebola outbreak and to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the necessary support.

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

• Strategic Leadership and Coordination: Leading the development of RCCE strategies and ensuring alignment with national response efforts.
• Community Engagement and Evidence Generation: Engaging communities to gather insights and evidence that inform programmatic decisions and strategies.
• Capacity Building and Programme Delivery: Building the capacity of local partners and stakeholders to implement effective social and behavior change initiatives.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing mechanisms to monitor the impact of interventions and adjust strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Collaboration: Working closely with government agencies, UN partners, and NGOs to coordinate efforts and share best practices in response to the Ebola outbreak.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, public policy, social sciences, public health, international relations, political science, or a related technical field. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas such as social development program planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, or public advocacy. Strong skills in stakeholder coordination, government engagement, UN coordination, partnership management, and results delivery are essential. Experience in insecure or hard-to-reach areas is highly desirable, as is familiarity with public health emergencies and humanitarian contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as economics, public policy, social sciences, public health, international relations, or political science. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of social and behavior change in the context of public health emergencies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in relevant fields. Candidates should have experience working with government and decentralized authorities, UN agencies, and implementing partners to achieve measurable results in challenging environments. Experience in humanitarian or emergency settings, particularly related to outbreaks like Ebola, cholera, or measles, is highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, English, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in 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, particularly women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must meet medical clearance and inoculation requirements, including vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and is committed to safeguarding the rights of every child.