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, hope,

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative (Programmes)and in close coordination with other Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Sections and Field Offices; you will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of regional strategies related to Social Transformation, (Social and Behavior Change (SBC), Gender Equality and Equity (Gender) and Adolescent and Development and Participation (ADAP))  and providing technical support to all sectoral and cross-sectoral programmes in delivering SBC/Gender/ADAP initiatives that advance human rights based approaches and community engagement to promote sustainable results for children in Sierra Leone  in both development and humanitarian settings. In alignment with the GAP, the role of the Social Transformation Manager (SBC/Gender/ADAP) has a primary technical and programmatic role, including normative advocacy and coordination. The role provides technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results contributing to gender equality in alignment with the Gender Action Plan. It supports sections and partners in applying the latest evidence-backed approaches in the social and behavioral, gender and ADAP sciences to programming by identifying and addressing the social determinants of behavior and empowering communities, girls, women, adolescents, and youth in change processes. 

Key accountabilities are :

Generate & Use Evidence: Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC/Gender/ADAP programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC/Gender/ADAP.  

Design, plan and implement: Design, plan and implement SBC/Gender/ADAP activities that are backed by social and behavioral/Gender/ADAP evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.  

Advocate & Build Partnerships: Support operationalization of SBC/Gender/ADAP by advocating for SBC/Gender/ADAP, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and partnership building.  

Build Capacities: Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC/Gender/ADAP for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners. 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  VA TOR - Social Transformation Manager, P4.pdf

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 behavioural science, including sociology, anthropology, communication for development, gender studies, psychology and/or related field is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience at the national and international levels in developing, implementing, evaluating, and managing social and behavioural change strategies and content is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in the application of social and behaviour change science, theories, research, and analysis, to all stages of the programmes cycle. 
• Proven ability to manage social research, including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory methods for formative assessments, identifying behavioural drivers, and tracking, measurement and evaluation of social change is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to stay current with new developments in the SBC/Gender/ADAP field is required. Familiarity with new and emerging approaches such as behavioural insights, human centered design, social listening, gender analysis, among others is a plus.   
• Demonstrated experience in the execution of complex priorities, processes and projects in office work-plans.
• At least four years country programme experience in with a multilateral development agency or national NGO in a low- or middle-income setting is an asset.
• Proven ability to work with internal and external stakeholders at multiple levels, including providing technical support and capacity building and establishing/managing external partnerships.

• 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

• Desirable: 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women or person living with disabilities 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.

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.