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, advocacy!  

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 behavioral evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, driving behavioral and social results across sectors around themes including 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, social and behaviour change communication (SBCC), applied behavioral science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening, social mobilization and policy advocacy to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation.

Purpose for the job: The Social and Behaviour Change Officer (MNCH) reports to the Chief of Communication and works directly under the Social Behavior Change Officer’s close supervision and guidance. The scope of work under this Job Profile is related to promoting health seeking behaviour on maternal and newborn health related issues. The Officer provides technical and operational support to the supervisor and internal colleagues by administering, executing and implementing a variety of tasks to promote community engagement and participation, and measureable behavioral and social change/mobilization, requiring the application of technical and theoretical skills and the study of organizational goals, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Design, plan and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence, as well as strong engagement and participation mechanisms.
2. Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC through capacity building for partners.

1. Design, plan and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms.

• In collaboration with SBC officer, UNICEF Health section and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government and UN/NGO partners, develop, implement and monitor evidence-based SBC strategies and activities for health seeking behaviour on MNCH issues, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.
• In collaboration/consultation with SBC officer, UNICEF Health section 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 for health seeking behaviour. In this process, oversee coordination with SBC stakeholders and partners to align plans and activities.
• Identify/propose actional evidence-based programme/strategy recommendations from current data, evidence and trends for priority social and behavioral issues for immunization 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.

2. Promote continuous learning, strengthening and scaling up in SBC through capacity building for partners.

• Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity among 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 externally.
• Identify and mobilize resources to support capacity development and provide SBC technical support and capacity building to government counterparts on issues related to health seeking behaviour.
• Initiate and manage partnerships with academia and learning institutions for the delivery of SBC capacity development activities for health seeking behaviour.
• Identify and develop mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement for health seeking behaviour.
• Develop and/or adapt capacity development tools and activities for health seeking behaviour.

Impact of Results

The efficient and effective technical, administrative and operational support provided to the development and implementation of SBC initiatives for promoting positive behaviour change towards immunization. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable and concrete results in improving the survival of children in the country.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, health, education, communication, behavioural economics, public relations or another relevant field. 
• A minimum of five year of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, social and behavior change, public advocacy or another related area.
• Experience in Immunization/Health Communication is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Uzbek and Russian is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

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.

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.