Social & Behavior Change Specialist, NOC, Fixed Term #20909, Islamabad, Pakistan

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For every child, HOPE

Social and Behavior 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, with the aim of engaging them and increasing 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.

Purpose of the job: 

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Manager, Immunization and technical guidance from the Chief SBC, the social behavior change specialist provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based, behaviorally informed gender responsive SBC strategy as an integral part of immunization programme development, planning and implementation. She/he leads social and behaviour change process of mainstreaming its principles, approaches to assess and measure the results in up taking immunization services in joint consultation and collaboration with stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts., This subsequently contributes to the achievement of sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival and wellbeing in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Generate & Use Evidence: Design, and utilize research, to generate behavioral informed data and insights to guide the system oriented, gender responsive SBC interventions for immunization in both development and emergency contexts..
2. Design, plan and implement: Design, plan and implement behavioral informed evidence based gender responsive SBC, community engagement interventions for immunization.
3. Advocate & Build Partnerships: Provide technical guidance and support to design and conduct social advocacy interventions to strengthen alliances and networks to  leverage resources and partnerships in operationalization SBC interventions for immunization at scale.
4. Build Capacities and Capabilities: Design and facilitate capacity building initiatives to promote continuous learning among UNICEF staff and partners towards strengthening, and scaling up SBC for immunization.

Design, and utilize research, to generate behavioral informed data and insights to guide the system oriented, gender responsive SBC interventions for immunization in both development and emergency contexts.

• Develop terms of reference, applied behavioral science research tools (data collection, analysis, use) frameworks and protocols to guide SBC evidence and data generation, monitoring and reporting for immunization programming.
• In collaboration with partners including relevant government officers and other UN/NGO partners, design and conduct behavioral informed SBC situation analyses and formative research on immunization that identify social and behavioral drivers; manage and/or utilize qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers that include behavioral analysis, human centered design, social listening, behavioral insights, participatory research and/or RCT.
• Establish community feedback mechanisms and use feedback to inform community engagement and SBC actions for immunization.
• Develop terms of reference, research tools, frameworks and protocols for generating evidence for immunization programming  to inform SBC initiatives and apply tools, methodologies and frameworks for data collection, tracking, monitoring and reporting and disseminating SBC results.
• Conduct and/or participate in country programme monitoring and evaluation exercises and make recommendations on workplan revisions based on the results.
• Develop and manage relationships with external partners, vendors and consultants for research and evidence generation and support of SBC.

Design, plan and implement behavioral informed evidence based gender responsive SBC, community engagement interventions for immunization.  

• In collaboration/consultation with partners, including relevant government officers and other UN/NGO develop, implement and monitor evidence-based gender responsive SBC strategies and interventions for immunization programming, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.
• In collaboration/consultation with partners, conduct feasibility assessment to identify cost effective, efficient, relevant, applicable to the local context  evidence based, gender responsive SBC strategies, interventions while considering service, community and media delivery platforms, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and science-backed approaches.
• Design and develop community engagement framework with its planning, implementation and monitoring approaches and tools to partner with CSOs to improve and strengthen continued demand generation in the context of immunization in zero dose districts.
• Identify, propose and implement evidence-based immunization programme/strategy recommendations and trends for priority social and behavioral issues, while considering mainstreaming and advocating latest innovative approaches and technology in SBC programme approaches for their adoption among internal and external stakeholders.
• Make viable data driven recommendations on mainstreaming and inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in immunization programming to maintain and sustain demand generation efforts, especially in zero dose districts.

Provide technical guidance and support to design and conduct social advocacy interventions to strengthen alliances and networks to  leverage resources and partnerships in operationalization SBC interventions  for immunization at scale.

• Represent UNICEF’s interests in partnerships and manage development of and progress against joint project agreements with relevant partners; represent the UNICEF CO immunization team in national and international level for a when authorized by the supervisor.
• Collaborate with national, regional and/or global partners to link and coordinate SBC approaches for immunization.
• Cultivate resource mobilization for immunization opportunities and produce proposals, reports and other materials to support resources mobilization.
• Contribute to mobilizing human resources for SBC, including staff, consultants and external vendors for strengthening immunization.
• Identify, recruit and supervise consultants, vendors and other technical expertise to support delivery of SBC activities for routine immunization. Plan, use and track the use of resources and verify compliance with organizational guidelines and standards.
• Contribute to financial planning, budget planning and tracking and financial management for SBC activities for immunization.
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC and used them in immunization programme approaches.
• Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC for immunization in national systems, in the country programme.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC for immunization.

Build Capacities and Capabilities: Design and facilitate capacity building initiatives to promote continuous learning among UNICEF staff and partners towards strengthening, and scaling up SBC for immunization.   

• Plan and implement SBC capacity assessments within the  immunization team at CO and partners
• Identify, design, and organize SBC training materials and opportunities on immunization for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as behavioral analysis, behavioral insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms.
• Develop and/or use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity on immunization activities among staff, implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts.
• Adapt and institutionalize best practices which can be applied for immunization programming and , facilitate  exchange of experiences and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods
• Identify and mobilize resources to support capacity development on immunization and provide SBC technical support and capacity building to government counterparts and other partners.
• Initiate and manage partnerships with academia and learning institutions for the delivery of routine immunization related  SBC capacity development activities.
• Identify and develop mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement for immunization.

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

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in one of the following fields is required: Public Health, Social Sciences, Applied Behavioral Science, Political Economy, 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: designing, planning evidence based, behaviorally informed, gender responsive social and behavior change, community engagement strategies and approaches, especially in immunization public health, or another related area
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirable:

• Strong knowledge of immunization challenges, vaccinate hesitancy and barriers to vaccine uptake and relevant technical expertise in applied behavioral science, theories, models and frameworks and ability to apply to immunization programmes is an asset.

• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. 

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

• 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.

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:

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

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.