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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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Social & Behavior Change Officer and in close coordination with Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Specialists and Officers, contributes to/responsible for the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based, inclusive and innovative Social & Behavior Change strategies in support of the country programme.

 

Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of Social & Behavior Change programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for Social & Behavior Change. 

In collaboration with sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers and other UN/NGO partners, design, implement, and/or participate in SBC situation analyses and formative research that identify social and behavioral drivers.

Initiate, commission, manage and/or utilize qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers that include behavioural analysis, human centered design, social listening, behavioural insights, participatory research and/or RCT.

Support data collection, tracking, monitoring, and reporting SBC results and prepare syntheses of results.

Collate and summarize data, evidence, and trends for social and behavioral issues to inform evidence-based SBC strategies, plans and activities.

Assist in establishment of community feedback mechanisms and use feedback to inform community engagement and SBC actions for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

Generate and use SBC evidence, data, and assessments for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.

Contribute to terms of reference, research tools, frameworks, and protocols for generating evidence to inform SBC initiatives and apply tools, methodologies and frameworks for data collection, tracking, monitoring, and reporting and disseminating SBC results.

Conduct and/or participate in country programme monitoring and evaluation exercises and make recommendations on workplan revisions based on the results.

 

Design, plan and implement Social & Behavior Change  activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.

In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers and other UN/NGO partners, provide technical and administrative support for the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based SBC strategies and activities, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.

In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral colleagues and implementing partners, select appropriate SBC activities and platforms for engagement, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and science-backed approaches. In this process, oversee coordination with SBC stakeholders and partners to align plans and activities.

In collaboration/ consultation with UNICEF colleagues, and government and civil society partners, engage and mobilize the existing community structures (including but not limited to Children’s Clubs, Youth Clubs, Women's Groups), ensuring Accountability to the Affected People, to advance the Social & Behavioural Results

Identify/propose actional evidence-based programme/strategy recommendations from current data, evidence and trends for priority social and behavioral issues and ensure the integration of latest innovative approaches and technology in SBC in programme approaches and advocate for their adoption among internal and external stakeholders.

Establish and strengthen platforms and opportunities that enable young people to participate meaningfully in areas that matter to them - leveraging digital technologies and digital approaches

Apply the above skills of designing, planning, implementing and monitoring of community engagement and SBC interventions in the context of humanitarian emergencies

 

Support operationalization of Social & Behavior Change by advocating for Social & Behavior Change, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and building alliances and partnerships.

Represent UNICEF’s interests in partnerships and manage development of and progress against joint project agreements with relevant partners; represent the UNICEF CO and SBC Section in national and international level fora and among partners as relevant and necessary.

Collaborate with national, regional and/or global partners to link and coordinate SBC approaches.

Cultivate resource mobilization opportunities and contribute to proposals, reports, and other materials to support resources mobilization. Contribute to mobilizing human resources for SBC, including staff, consultants, and external vendors.

Identify, recruit, and collaborate with consultants, vendors, and other technical expertise to support delivery of SBC activities. Plan, use and track the use of resources and verify compliance with organizational guidelines and standards.

Contribute to financial planning, budget planning and tracking and financial management for SBC.

Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral workplans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC. Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans.

Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC, integrate them in programme approaches and support SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them.

Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC in humanitarian actions.

Engage and sustain collaborations with the influencers (including but not limited to faith leaders, youth advocates, digital influencers) for the implementation of SBC in humanitarian and development actions

 

Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in Social & Behavior Change for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff, partners and implementers.

Identify, design, and/or organize SBC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as behavioral analysis, behavioral insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms.

Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines, and training materials to build SBC capacity among staff, implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts.

Contribute to the development and institutionalization of best practices, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally.

Coordinate and provide inputs into SBC capacity assessments

Identify and mobilize resources to support capacity development internally and externally and provide SBC technical support and capacity building to government and civil society counterparts.

Identify and contribute to the development of mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement in humanitarian contexts.

Develop and/or adapt capacity development tools and activities for humanitarian programming with a focus on preparedness, response, and recovery.

 

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

Minimum requirements:

1. Education

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

2. Work Experience

A minimum of one year of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development or social and behaviour change, public advocacy, or another related area. Prior experience in strengthening community structures and platforms - ensuring Accountability to the Affected People (AAP) is required. Prior experience in sustaining collaborations with influence groups (including the faith leaders) to advance child rights is required. Prior experience in strengthening child participation, also by leveraging digital technology/ digital approaches is required. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.

3. Language Proficiency 

Fluency in English and Sinhala/Tamil is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset

 

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

In addition, we value those who demonstrate a growth mindset.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

 UNICEF competencies required for this post are:

•Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

•Works Collaboratively with others (1)

•Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

•Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

•Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

•Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

•Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

 

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these every day, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.