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 immunization is a must!

 How can you make a difference? 

I.  Background:

The SBC Strategy will be grounded in the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), ensuring multi-level interventions at the national, county, and community levels. It will include a branded implementation toolbox, a costed implementation plan, and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress toward desired behavioural outcomes.

In this light, one (1) post for the position for International SBC Consultant, Individual Contractor to Develop a National Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Liberia is needed.

II.  Purpose of the Assignment:

• Conduct a desk review and situational analysis to understand behavioural determinants affecting immunization uptake.
• Develop a comprehensive SBC Strategy for EPI, including key messages, tools, and activities.
• Pre-test and validate the strategy through stakeholder workshops and community-level consultations.
• Create a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and adapt interventions as needed.

• National Level: Review of existing immunization policies, coordination mechanisms, and partnerships.
• County Level: Identification of barriers and strategies to improve immunization messaging and service delivery.
• Community Level: Assessment of community perceptions, trust in vaccines, and engagement of local leaders and health workers.

Geographical Scope: The consultancy will cover selected counties (to be determined), with desk reviews encompassing nationwide data. Field activities will prioritize high-priority and hard-to-reach areas.

Key Activities:

 Desk Review and Analysis:

• Review existing EPI materials, policies, and communication tools.
• Analyze behavioral determinants and identify gaps in current approaches.

Stakeholder Consultations:

• Conduct focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with health workers, community leaders, and caregivers. Organize national and county-level workshops to co-create the strategy.

Strategy Development:

• Draft the SBC Strategy, including a branded toolbox (e.g., IEC materials, training guides).
• Develop a costed implementation plan and M&E framework.

Validation and Capacity Building:

• Conduct a validation workshop with stakeholders to finalize the strategy.

Partners	Roles/ Responsibilities
Ministry of Health: EPI Division	EPI Division will support the development of the SBC strategy and coordinate the process with other relevant departments at the Ministry of Health and at County Levels.
Institution/ consultancy	The role of the institution will be the development of the strategy, desk review of SBC materials, Develop and Pre-test a toolkit for the SBCC strategy, develop M&E Framework and Implementation Plan, conduct FGDs with stakeholders, bi-monthly meeting with the Technical Working Group, report development and presentation to key stakeholders in the nutrition sector and conduct a one-day validation meeting

Please review the complete Job Description here:  Full TOR - Development of a National SBC Strategy for EPI in Liberia .pdf

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

Education:

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in public health, communication, behavioral science, or a related field.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in designing and implementing SBC strategies, preferably in immunization or health programs.
• Proven track record in stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, and M&E for behavior change interventions.
• Familiarity with the Liberian health system and EPI context is highly desirable.

Other sSkills and Competencies required:

• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Ability to facilitate workshops and training.

Language Proficiency:

• Language skills required: Fluency in English (written and spoken).

 Home Based           Office Based (X)       Field Based

 The consultant is expected to use his/her own ICT equipment.

The consultant will be supervised by the Social and Behavior Change Specialist in coordination with PMEI Specialist.

Applicants are invited to submit with their online application:

• A technical proposal that outlines their understanding of the task and proposed methodology or cover letter explaining why they are well placed to undertake this assignment
• A recently updated CV
• A financial proposal which must be an all-inclusive cost (consultancy fees, mission expenses, travels, etc.).

Applicants are invited to submit their financial proposals in USD using the template herein attached:

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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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

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 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 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.