Social & Behaviour Change Specialist – P3  

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 voice.

Social and Behaviour Change in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of social change in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, values, and the socio-cultural norms that shape their lives, to engage them and increase their influence in the design of solutions for sustainable behavior and social change. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around social and behavioral practices like immunization, breastfeeding, hygiene, and positive discipline. 

UNICEF SBC employs a mix of approaches including community engagement, strategic communication, applied behavioural science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening and policy advocacy, and social mobilization to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation.

For more information related to the work of our organization in Mexico, please visit our website: UNICEF Mexico and our latest Annual Report 2022: Informe Anual 2022 UNICEF México

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behavior Change Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and supervision. S/he provides 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. Through communication and engagement, as well as the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, s/he promotes measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival, and well-being in the country. 

Your main responsibilities will be:

1. Generate & Use Evidence: Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.

2. Design, plan, and implement: 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.

3. Advocate & Build Partnerships: Support the operationalization of SBC by advocating for SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors, and teams, and partnership building. 

4. Build Capacities: Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners.

If you are interested in learning more about this position and the key-end results and accountabilities, read the Complete 

Terms of Reference:  ToRs – SBC Specialist P3 TA.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD), preferably in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, social and behavior change, communication for development, public advocacy, and social sciences research.   
• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in Spanish.

Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in any relevant area may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree if the candidate has two additional years of relevant experience.  

It will be an advantage (not mandatory) if you have…

• Previous supervisory experience.  
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization.
• Fluency in Spanish. For every Child, you demonstrate…

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).
• The technical competencies in UNICEF’s Competency Framework

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 . UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. disabilities 

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.

Remarks

• UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• The Social & Behaviour Change Specialist will be based in UNICEF’s Mexico City Country Office. However, this position might require visiting UNICEF field offices in other states of the country as well as meeting key stakeholders in diverse locations.
• 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 who 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 IS AN INTERNATIONAL POSITION. PLEASE NOTE THAT NATIONAL CANDIDATES CANNOT BE CONSIDERED. 

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