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, Care

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the leadership of the Immunization Manager, the incumbent will work closely with the Polio Communication team, the Country Office SBC team, CACE, and relevant stakeholders across the polio eradication initiative and broader Health Section to provide technical leadership to national and subnational teams. The incumbent will facilitate community engagement and capacity building among polio programme partners in evidence-based/data-driven SBC planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and coalition building with emphasis on immunization/health system strengthening. The focus of the position will be on leveraging social behavioral change to improve equitable uptake of polio and routine immunization.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to strategy design and review to ensure fit for purpose to achieve elimination as well as and development of SBC activities.
2. Implementation of SBC activities
3. Technical and operational support
4. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Support to strategy design, review and development of Polio SBC activities

• Conduct/facilitate a comprehensive SBC situation analysis of social, cultural, communication, economic and political issues in the country/region to inform polio eradication initiatives.
• Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to establish comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the SBC component of polio eradication initiatives.
• Participate in polio programme and country programme planning and reviews to determine/discuss the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of programme results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action for polio to promote behavioral and social change.
• Prepare materials and related documentations for evidence-based SBC strategies and plans (as a component of the GPEI, CO and/or UNSCDF Programmes) to ensure optimum impact, scale, and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of SBC activities with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.

Implementation of Polio SBC activities

• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based SBC strategies and activities, and formulate, produce and test materials to ensure community engagement and participation for maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.
• Recommend the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated to key audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc.). Manage the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans.
• Carry out SBC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc. to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable programme results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for SBC events.
• Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia, research and implementing organizations and other strategic partners and networks to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on children’s rights.
• Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including polio and country programme meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of SBC on polio and UNICEF CO Strategic Plans/Goals.  Take timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated.  Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.

Technical and operational support

• Collaborate with internal CO, RO and/or HQ colleagues to provide expert advise on and in some cases lead the development of evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of polio programmes/projects implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for SBC advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.
• Participate in budget planning and management of programme funds and submit financial plan for SBC initiatives. Approve the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

Advocacy, networking, and partnership building

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; research and implementing organizations; media and communication networks; all sectors/levels of society, and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for SBC advocacy to promote UNICEF’s mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.
• Collaborate with national, regional, and global partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate strategies and messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance SBC outreach and impact for polio eradication.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency GPEI Social and Behavioral Change Roundtable discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the PEI planning and preparation of SBC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for SBC that are appropriate/available for the audience.
• Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in SBC practices and influence national and local policies and investments in SBC for sustainable results and systems strengthening.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned for products with national/global partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.
• Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/government and non-government partners in evidence-based SBC planning, implementation, and evaluation in support of polio programme/projects.

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required:  social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, 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. (8)Nurtures, leads and manages people.

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

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Female are encouraged to apply.

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). 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 cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

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.