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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a future

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Social and Behavior Change in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of social change in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, values, and the socio-cultural norms that shape their lives, with the aim of engaging them and increasing their influence in the design of solutions for sustainable behavior and social change. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around social and behavioral practices like immunization, breastfeeding, hygiene, and positive discipline.  

UNICEF SBC employs a mix of approaches including community engagement, strategic communication, applied behavioral science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening and policy advocacy, and social mobilization to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation. 

Job organizational context:

In a region of over 628 million children, SBC ROSA provides technical support and oversight to eight Country Office, enhancing their leadership and function and promoting the building of partnerships. Technical support is offered on Community Engagement, Accountability to Affected Populations, Social Norms Programming, Social and Behavioral Science, Digital Engagement and Innovation for Social Change. The SBC team in the Regional Office also helps integrate social and behavioral change across multiple sectors.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision and general guidance of the Deputy Regional Director and in close collaboration with Regional Advisers, the incumbent will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of regional strategies related to the program Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and for providing expert advice, technical support and quality assurance to country offices in South Asia Region on policies, operational strategies and M&E tools related to SBC in view to accelerate and sustain results in gender equality, social inclusion, child survival, development, learning achievements and protection.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Regional Adviser Social Behavior Change Level 5.pdf

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Policy Direction:

• Guide UNICEF's regional strategies as they relate to Social and Behavior Change, in the context of the Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Advocate for South Asia prioritization of socially transformative, people-centered and community-led development both as a good in itself and as an accelerator of sectoral results.
• Assist the global efforts to elevate the SBC practice in UNICEF, including the repositioning of the SBC network towards increased expertise and practice in community engagement, behavioral and social sciences.
• Provide strategic advice to regional and country management to ensure impactful SBC programmes and sustained efforts for the agenda

Support to Regional and Country Offices on Program Design, Implementation, and provide oversight:

• Support the adoption of tailored and efficient SBC operational models in offices across the region in all country contexts.
• Bring coherence, complementarity, and synergies between UNICEF’s sectoral and crosscutting areas, promoting alignment of resources and uptake of quality programming standards.
• Ensure clear and pragmatic programme guidance is available and followed (where required through the RO specific interpretation of global guidance and tools) to support UNICEF staff at all levels in particular focusing on:
  • Behavioral diagnosis, research, and analysis
  • Accountability to Affected Populations
  • Social listening, collection and analysis of community insights, public perceptions and needs
  • Social research on key programmatic questions
  • Design and implementation of civil society and community engagement, participation, mobilization, governance and accountability mechanisms
  • Adoption of practices, uptake of services, norms-shifting programming

Partnerships and inter-sectoral alliances:

• Build networks of academic and/or research institutions in the region to strengthen the knowledge base while contributing to innovation and capacity building efforts.
• Ensure the SBC team is contributing to the thought leadership in SBC across the different sectors, within the UN at large and as part of its contribution for social development in the region.
• Support existing regional resource mobilization initiatives, and create new funding opportunities by increasing donors’ interest in quality SBC programmes and confidence in UNICEF’s ability to deliver them.
• Create opportunities for collaboration with civil society at large, especially youth and women’s groups and religious leaders
• Strengthen UNICEF’s leadership in community and behavioral aspects of humanitarian action, through interagency humanitarian mechanisms

Management and Leadership Responsibilities:

• Provide direction and managerial support to the South Asia Regional Office SBC team.
• Manage the sustainability of the RO SBC team and meet timely budgetary requirements
• Oversee and manage performance of direct report and ensure capacity development of the team to fulfill its roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure inclusive management and well-being of the SBC team
• Participate in the RO leadership team and contribute to CRITAS in the RO as in COs
• Support the wider Regional SBC network, including but not limited to capacity building

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a social and behavioral science, including sociology, anthropology, communication studies/communication for development, psychology and/or related field is required.

Experience:

Ten (10) years progressively responsible work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including eight years in developing countries, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes, including emergencies.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English  is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.