Social and Behavior Change Specialists, P-3, Various duty stations (Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, and Vanuatu), Pacific Multi-Country Office, Temporary Appointments (364 days)

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.

In the Pacific we work in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, an area comparable to the combined size of the United States of America and Canada. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are classified as Fragile States according to World Bank/OECD criteria.

All 14 Pacific Island countries and territories have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but only a third are on track with reporting obligations. Explore the different areas of our work in the link provided here www.unicef.org/pacificislands  

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behavior Change Specialists report to the respective Chief Field Office for general guidance and supervision, and has a second technical reporting line to the Chief Social and Behavior Change in Suva, Fiji. The Specialists provide technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of programme development, planning and implementation. They will design, plan and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival and wellbeing in the Pacific Island States.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Identify and apply evidence, insights, innovations and new technologies from latest developments in social and behavioral sciences to inform SBC strategies and activities.
• Develop, implement and monitor SBC strategies and activities, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.
• Select appropriate SBC activities and platforms for engagement, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and science-backed approaches.
• Plan, use and track the use of resources and verify compliance with organizational guidelines and standards.
• Identify, recruit and supervise consultants, vendors and other technical expertise to support delivery of SBC activities.
• Apply skills of designing, planning, implementing and monitoring of community engagement and SBC interventions in the context of humanitarian emergencies.
• Contribute to the development and coordination of SBC and RCCE plans for preparedness and response.
• Contribute to development and implementation of SBC components of Accountability to Affected Populations frameworks.
• Make viable recommendations on inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral work plans and strategies.
• Advocate for inclusion of social and behavioral approaches in sectoral work plans and strategies.
• Oversee coordination with SBC stakeholders and partners to align plans and activities.
• Document the impact of SBC programming across sectors through photos, videos, human interest stories and drafting of social media posts.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields: sociology, public health, communication, public relations, anthropology, psychology, social and behavioral science or another relevant technical field. A first university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:  social development programme planning, Social and Behavior Change, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• At least one year of international experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Language: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language would be 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.

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

Remarks:

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

In regard to higher educational qualifications, UNICEF only considers degrees obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  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.

This advertisement is a continuation of an earlier vacancy announcement that closed on 5 December for the SBC Specialist temporary appointments in Kiribati and Micronesia, and serves to announce the additional vacancy in Vanuatu. Applications to our earlier advertisement will be considered, candidates do not need to re-apply.

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

The selected candidate should be able to onboard within 30 days of receiving an offer.