SBC Emergency Specialist

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Position Title: SBC Emergency Specialist
Location: Bujumbura
Country: Burundi
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 personal and professional development. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that supports staff growth and provides an attractive compensation and benefits package. In Burundi, UNICEF focuses on improving the lives of children and women through various programs, including health, nutrition, education, child protection, and humanitarian response.

Job Overview:
The SBC Emergency Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the UNICEF Burundi Country Office in enhancing national emergency preparedness and response systems. This position involves overseeing the execution of high-quality and timely Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) interventions in response to public health emergencies such as the Mpox outbreak and other potential crises. The specialist will work closely with government and implementing partners to ensure effective coordination and implementation of SBC strategies, thereby contributing to the overall mission of UNICEF in safeguarding children's rights and well-being during emergencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate RCCE efforts in emergency preparedness and response, ensuring alignment with national strategies and international best practices.
• Provide advisory and technical support on RCCE to government and partner organizations.
• Conduct capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders involved in emergency response, focusing on enhancing their understanding and implementation of SBC strategies.
• Foster partnerships and represent UNICEF in relevant forums to advocate for effective SBC and RCCE practices.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of SBC interventions, making necessary adjustments to improve effectiveness.
• Collaborate with multi-stakeholder working groups to develop and implement community engagement strategies that address the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Manage operational research initiatives to inform SBC practices in humanitarian and development contexts.
• Deliver training sessions on emergency preparedness and response, ensuring participants are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master's degree or higher) in public health, communication, applied anthropology, sociology, or a relevant social science discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the humanitarian sector and public health emergencies, with a focus on risk communication, community engagement, and accountability.
• Demonstrable experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder working groups and developing effective community engagement strategies.
• Proven ability to manage operational research in both humanitarian and development contexts.
• Strong coordination and negotiation skills, with a track record of building partnerships between organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• A solid understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, gender, child safety, and staff health and well-being.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master's degree or higher) in a relevant field such as public health, communication, applied anthropology, sociology, or another social science discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of social behavior and communication strategies in emergency contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the humanitarian sector, particularly in public health emergencies. Candidates should have significant experience in risk communication, community engagement, and accountability, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex emergency situations effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, and proficiency in English is required. These language skills are essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for the successful implementation of SBC strategies in Burundi.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment and may involve working in challenging environments due to the nature of humanitarian emergencies. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages eligible female candidates and people with disabilities to apply. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must meet medical clearance requirements. UNICEF does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing a safe and supportive work environment.