Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization & Health) at UNICEF

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist (Immunization/Health) reports to the SBC Regional Adviser (RA). Under the supervision and guidance of the RA, and in close collaboration with the Health section, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to UNICEF Country Offices (COs) in Eastern and Southern Africa region (ESAR) on overall SBC, but particularly contributing to the achievement of: 1- specific regional priorities, with a focus on addressing drivers and barriers associated to addressing maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality through primary health care; and, 2- the Immunization Agenda 2030, a global strategy to leave no one behind.

The SBC Specialist will provide support to all countries in ESAR on the development of systematic, planned and evidence-based and theory driven SBC strategies aiming at increasing sustainable demand and uptake of essential health services, including immunization. The incumbent will also support capacity building of UNICEF staff and partners on SBC, with particular emphasis on research and analysis (including human-centered design), evidence-based planning (with emphasis on micro-planning), implementation of demand promotion interventions (including behavioural insights), preparedness and response to vaccine-related events, community engagement, capacity development on front line workers, and monitoring and evaluation of demand promotion interventions.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

• Technical support and oversight to countries: support UNICEF ESAR COs on the development of evidence-based SBC initiatives and plans aiming at sustainably increasing demand and uptake of essential health services, in particular those related to immunization and maternal and neonatal child health.
• Generate and Use Evidence: support ESARO COs and their counterparts on the generation, analysis and utilization of SBC data to inform the design, testing, measurement, and monitoring of programmes, interventions and outcomes aiming at increasing the uptake of essential health services in both development and emergency contexts. This includes not only demand-related components, but also service-related aspects such as the improvement of quality of services and the adjustment of service delivery modalities to reach all.
• Advocate and Build Partnerships: Support the operationalization of SBC by advocating and mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and building alliances and partnerships in the region.
• Build Capacities: Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff, partners and implementers in the region.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in strategic planning for social and behaviour change with a strong focus on community engagement, behavioural science, social norm programming and participatory communication with at least 4 years served in a developing country leading/supporting SBC.
• Proven competence in practical application of Risk Communication and Community Engagement applied to immunization in health outbreak (preparedness and response) is required.
• Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is 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.