Chief Social & Behavior Change Job – United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Job Title: Chief Social & Behavior Change

Organisation: United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

About US:

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the UN general assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Job Summary: The Chief Social & Behaviour Change reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction and is responsible for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for Social & Behaviour Change (S&BC) 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 on improving children’s rights, survival and well-being in the country.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Support to strategy design and development of S&BC activities
  • Conduct, participate and/or manage a comprehensive S&BC situation analysis of social, cultural, communication, economic and political issues in the country/region. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to establish comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the S&BC component of the Country Programme of Cooperation (and UNDAF).
  • Participate in country programme planning and reviews to determine/discuss the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of programme results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action for S&BC to promote behavioral and social change.
  • Prepare materials and related documentations for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programmes) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
  • Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of S&BC activities with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.
  • Implementation of S&BC activities
  • Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based strategies and formulate, produce and test materials to organize S&BC events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.
  • Confirm/approve the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to key audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend and/or select appropriate multiple media and communication format and platforms (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web etc.). Manage the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans.
  • Carry out S&BC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc. to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable programme results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for S&BC events.
  • Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia, research and implementing organizations and other strategic partners and networks to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on children’s rights.
  • Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including country programme previews, meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of S&BC on UNICEF and CO Strategic Plans/Goals. Take timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated.  Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.
  • Technical and operational support
  • Collaborate with internal CO, RO and/or HQ colleagues to provide expert advise on the development of evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of S&BC social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programmes/projects implementation and delivery of results.
  • Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for S&BC advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.
  • Participate in budget planning and management of programme funds and submit financial plan for S&BC initiatives. Approve the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.
  • Advocacy, networking and partnership building
  • Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; research and implementing organizations; media and communication networks; celebrities; journalists; media ; all sectors/levels of society, and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for S&BC advocacy to promote UNICEF’s mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.
  • Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate strategies and messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance S&BC outreach and impact.
  • Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; UN Social & Behavior Change Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF planning and preparation of S&BC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.
  • Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
  • Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for S&BC that are appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.
  • Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in S&BC practices, and influence national and local policies and investments in S&BC for sustainable results.
  • Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned for products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.
  • Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/government and non-government partners in evidence-based S&BC planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects.

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Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

  • The ideal applicant must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields: Social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree
  • At least eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, Social & Behavior Change, public advocacy or another related area.
  • 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.
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset
  • UNICEF’s values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested applicants should apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 16th December 2022

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