Social & Behavior Change Officer, P-2, Temporary Appointment, 364 days, Luanda, Angola, #00136811

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For every child, the right to a Future

How can you make a difference?

Reporting to the Immunization Specialist and under the general overall guidance of the Chief of Health & Nutrition, the SBC Officer (P-2) TA is responsible for the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based, inclusive and innovative SBC strategies in support of the country programme. By following the UNICEF SBC global programme and operational guidances, the role designs, plans and implements activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.

The role contributes directly to Gavi 6.0 priorities to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children by implementing context-specific strategies focused on strengthening community engagement participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts; as well as build the capacity of government counterparts from the national immunization programme (NIP) to development and institutionalization of best practices, facilitate the exchange of experiences and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally. In addition, the position supports the NIP in designing, piloting, and scaling an evidence-based national SBC package of interventions to ensure that demand promotion are systematically embedded to improve immunization outcomes. 

The SBC Officer is accountable for effective technical and programme support to facilitate the application and adaptation of UNICEF policies and strategies to achieve strategic priorities and objectives and expansion of UNICEF assisted Immunization, nutrition and child health interventions, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primary, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1. Promote continuous learning, strengthening and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts

• Contribute to the development and institutionalization of best practices, facilitate the exchange of experiences and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally
• Coordinate and provide inputs into SBC capacity needs assessments and the development of capacity-strengthening plans aligned with national and Gavi 6.0 priorities
• SBC technical support and capacity building to government counterparts within a system strengthening strategy
• Identify, design, and/or organize SBC training materials and opportunities for Ministry of Health, including on new approaches such as behavioural analysis, behavioural insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms
• Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, such as SBC UNICEF channels, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity among implementing partners and relevant government and non-government counterparts
• Facilitating the documentation, exchange, and uptake of best practices and lessons learned in SBC for immunization across internal and external stakeholders

2. Generate and utilize behavioural research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of programs and outcomes focused on equity, zero-dose and under-immunized children

• Support the Ministry of Health, Health Promotion and the National Immunization Program (NIP) in design, implement, and/or participate in situation analyses and formative research that identify social and behavioral drivers
• Assist in the use of data (e.g., community feedback) to inform targeting of high-risk populations and underserved communities
• Promote the application of SBC approaches, such as human-centred design and user’s journey, to improve service uptake
• In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers and other UN/NGO partners, provide technical and administrative support for the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based SBC strategies and activities, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches
• Ensure that the community, stakeholders and partners engaged validated the evidence generation generated through workshops, meetings, community dialogues

3. Design, plan and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms

• Supporting the MoH/NIP in reviewing, adapting, and institutionalizing SBC approaches, tools and guidelines to promote demand for immunization
• Leading or co-facilitating the development and rollout of capacity-building packages for health workers, community mobilizers, and supervisors on interpersonal communication (IPC), community engagement, and demand generation
• Applying and contextualizing UNICEF global SBC learning resources, including modules on behavioural insights, human-centred design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms
• Provide technical support to interventions that address demand-side barriers, including vaccine fatigue and hesitancy, access constraints, social norms (social norms related to gender and disability included)
• Ensure that programmes and implementation are SBC designed  to support routine immunization, outreach services, SIAs (e.g., polio), and life-course vaccination platforms
• Ensure messaging is context-specific, culturally appropriate, gender-responsive, and tailored to priority groups (e.g., caregivers of zero-dose children)
• Support the development/adaptation and testing of key messages and communication materials 
• Contribute to disseminate SBC best practices adopted by the immunization program, supporting articles, reports, summaries

4. Design, plan and implement Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCEE) interventions for Immunization

• Support the design and implementation of risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies, including quantitative and/or qualitative rapid assessment  for immunization, including outbreak response (e.g., polio, measles, cholera, maternal and neonatal tetanus) and integration with broader health emergencies
• Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in workplans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of SBC
• Assist in rapid deployment of RCCE interventions in humanitarian contexts
• Strengthen collaboration with community structures, civil society, and local leaders to create ownership and improve self-efficacy
• Support the implementation of mechanisms for community feedback and accountability to affected populations (AAP)
• Contribute to co-create and/or building from the existing sustainable systems/community platforms for demand promotion within primary health care
• Develop and/or adapt capacity development tools and activities for humanitarian programming with a focus on preparedness, response and recover
• Assist in the development of targeted communication materials and campaigns to promote immunization uptake, aligned with the Heath Promotion from the Ministry of Health, in promoting the “Little Star” national symbol of vaccination
• Collaborate with partners to align SBC with broader advocacy and social mobilization efforts

5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support development and tracking of SBC indicators within immunization results frameworks, including Gavi 6.0 indicators and aligned with existing UNICEF SBC core indicators, considering diverse reporting needs
• Contribute to monitoring of community engagement activities, including supportive supervision and field visits, supporting the mainstreaming of SBC data into local, national and regional systems
• Provide inputs to donor reports (e.g., Gavi, partners), and programme reviews, ensuring documentation of results and lessons learned

6. Other assigned duties and responsibilities are effectively accomplished

• Assumes any other duties and responsibilities assigned as appropriate to the purpose of this post, and delivers the results as required

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  JD - Social Behavior Change Officer_P2.pdf [link removed]

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A university degree (Bachelor’s or higher) in a social and behavioral science, including sociology, anthropology, communication studies/communication for development, psychology and/or related field is required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development or social and behaviour change, public advocacy or another related area.
• Skills: Anthropology, Communication Studies, Development, Humanitarian, Psychology, Social Science
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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 [link removed]

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework [link removed] and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF [link removed]. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here [link removed].