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, a vaccine

How can you make a difference?  ToR Social & Behavioral Change Specialist Level 3 .pdf

Despite the African region being certified free of wild polio virus, since 2022, Africa is facing a resurgence of wild polio virus type 1 cases and persistent outbreaks of cVDPV2 and cVDPV1 (polio viruses).

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been facing a cVDPV2 epidemic since May 2017. The epidemic began in the provinces of Maniema and Haut Lomami and has spread throughout the country. Response efforts have resulted in the closure of 11 outbreaks out of the 16 that the country has experienced since then. Only 5 active outbreaks remained in Maniema and Bas Uele provinces (4 in Maniema and 1 in Bas Uele) in 2022. The Maniema epidemic has spread to Tanganyika, Haut Katanga and Haut Lomami.

To ensure good preparation and organization of quality campaigns, continued support from Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners is critical to achieving the goals. The Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026 has two main goals based on the current stage of the eradication effort:

I) to permanently interrupt all poliovirus transmission in endemic countries; and II) to stop cVDPV transmission and prevent outbreaks in non-endemic countries.

Also, with the current dynamics around the rapid spread of the disease in some provinces and countries neighboring the DRC, and the upcoming development and implementation of the “Strategic Plan for Polio Control in the DRC”, it should be ensured that experts are available to support a rapid and effective response.

The Social and Behavior Change play a crucial role in improving child immunization in general and for polio particularly, by fostering understanding of childhood diseases, creating demand for services and acceptance of the vaccines. In recognition of this important role, UNICEF in DR Congo is supporting the Ministry of Health to strengthen SBC to support national immunization programmes for polio and other disease outbreak campaigns.

Under the administrative direction of the Heads of field offices and the technical guidance of the SBC Specialist for Immunization, the incumbent will provide support to the Ministry of Health on the development of systematic, planned and evidence-based and theory driven SBC strategies aiming at increasing sustainable demand and uptake of essential health services, including immunization.

The incumbent will also carry-out key interventions to support national immunization programmes and disease outbreak with particular emphasis on research and analysis (including human-centered design), evidence-based planning (with emphasis on micro-planning), implementation of demand promotion interventions (including behavioral insights), preparedness and response to vaccine-related events, community engagement, capacity development on front line workers, and monitoring and evaluation of demand promotion interventions.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to strategy design of Social and Behavior Change for immunization activities

2. Implementation of Social and Behavior Change activities for immunization

3. Technical and operational support

4. Advocacy, networking resources mobilization and partnership building

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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

Education

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, communication, or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development and social and behavior change programme planning, communication for development, community engagement, or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or international organizations is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements

Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

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

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. 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.

Remarks:

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.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!