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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate.

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that analyses and addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of individual practices and societal changes in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, their values, the socio-cultural norms and the economic and institutional contexts that shape their lives, with the aim of engaging them and increasing their influence in the design of solutions for change. SBC brings social and behavioural evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around behaviours like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations across sectors needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable and peaceful.

UNICEF SBC employs a mix of approaches including community engagement (CE), strategic communication, applied behavioural science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening and policy advocacy to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation in both development and Emergency context.

SBC is often at the forefront of UNICEF Emergency response, where knowledge, attitudes, practices of individuals and families as well as the social norms influencing their decisions are key dimensions to consider in preparedness and response plans. Along these lines, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) plays a key role in providing real-time lifesaving information ensuring that people know what to do to protect themselves and others against various diseases. SBC plays a key role in ensuring that Accountability to Affected populations’ principles aiming at understanding and putting people’s needs at the center of the response remain central. This complex Emergency context warrants developing robust capacity from UNICEF, governments and communities to prepare and respond to emergencies and disease outbreaks as per global excellence standards.

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist (Emergencies) reports to the Regional Adviser, Social and Behaviour Change. Under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Adviser SBC, and in close collaboration with the Humanitarian Action Resilience and Programme (HARP) and other relevant sections, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to country offices in SBC in emergencies to strengthen the preparedness, response, recovery nexus for enhanced resilience; build capacity of UNICEF staff and partners with a focus on community engagement, Accountability to Affected Populations and RCCE; reinforce the use of social and behavioural science applied to Emergencies and humanitarian situations; enhance coordination and partnerships to reinforce Emergency preparedness and response; and monitor the quality of SBC interventions during emergencies.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Technical support and oversight to countries on strategy design and development of evidence-based SBC and Community Engagement initiative and plans for Emergency preparedness and response.
2. Capacity building of UNICEF staff and partners on SBC in emergencies with a focus on the use of social science and behavioural data to inform preparedness and response plans.
3. Documentation, Monitoring and evaluation of SBC activities in Emergency contexts.
4. Advocacy, networking, partnership building, and coordination of SBC/RCCE in Public Health and other emergencies.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in strategic planning for social and behaviour change with a strong focus on community engagement, risk communication and participatory communication with at least 4 years served in a developing country leading/supporting SBC in Emergency preparedness and response.
• Proven competence in practical application of Accountability to Affected Populations both in Emergency preparedness and response is an asset.   Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an advantage.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish), in particular French is an asset. Knowledge of Portuguese would also be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UUNICEF’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

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.

During the recruitment process, we assess candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

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

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

This VA is open to internal and external candidates.