Chief Social & Behavior Change, P4, Suva, Fiji

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 134,636 USD and 173,585 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, hope.

In the Pacific we work in Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu: These 14 Pacific Island countries are home to 2.3 million people, including 1.2 million children and youth, living on more than 660 islands and atolls stretching across 17.2 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, an area comparable to the combined size of the United States of America and Canada. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are classified as Fragile States according to World Bank/OECD criteria.

All 14 Pacific Island countries and territories have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but only a third are on track with reporting obligations. Explore the different areas of our work in the link provided here www.unicef.org/pacificislands

How can you make a difference?

The Chief, Social and Behavior Change reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Chief, SBC is responsible for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of programme development, planning and implementation. Through the use of appropriate social and behavioral science, 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.

Summary of key functions/****accountabilities****:

1. 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.

• Establish clear SBC results framework and oversee data collection, tracking, monitoring and reporting and disseminating SBC results. Contribute to relevant UNICEF monitoring systems such as RAM.
• Lead and/or manage situation analysis for SBC situation analyses that identify social and behavioral drivers.
• Synthesize and stay current with data, evidence and trends for social and behavioral issues and provide leadership on programme directions informed by this information.
• Guide staff in commissioning, managing and utilizing qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers, including Behavioral analysis, human centred design, social listening, Behavioral insights, participatory research and RCTs. Ensure integration of results of research in SBC strategies.
• Ensure that SBC activities and products are informed by formative research and pretesting and are culturally and contextually relevant. Provide leadership on the quality control of SBC activities and products as needed.
• Remain current on the latest innovative approaches and technology in SBC and the latest developments in social and behavioral sciences and ensure their integration them in programme approaches. Advocate for their adoption among internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership in promoting and disseminating best practices and innovative approaches and technology in SBC and advocating for their uptake in sectoral programmes (internal and external).
• Oversee establishment of community feedback mechanisms and use of feedback to inform community engagement and SBC actions for disaster preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.
• Provide leadership for generation and use of SBC evidence, data, and assessments for disaster preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.

2. 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.

• Lead teams in the application of evidence, insights, innovations and new technologies to SBC strategies and activities.
• Set policy direction and provide leadership in the development, implementation and monitoring of SBC strategies, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches.
• Confirm/approve the technical quality, consistency and relevance of SBC activities and platforms for engagement, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and UNICEF's programmatic approaches.
• Approve and use resources as planned, manage and monitor programme funds and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules, regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.
• Oversee the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of community engagement and SBC interventions in the context of humanitarian emergencies.
• Manage the development and coordination of preparedness and response SBC and RCCE strategies and implementation plans with stakeholders and partners.
• Provide SBC inputs to development and implementation of Accountability to Affected Populations frameworks, in collaboration with other sections and partners.

3. Support operationalization of SBC by advocating for SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and partnership building.

• Establish and provide strategic leadership for partnerships and resource mobilization opportunities to support SBC. Advocate for UNICEF priorities within these mechanisms.
• Lead collaboration with national, regional and/or global partners to link and coordinate SBC approaches.
• Mobilize financial resources for SBC within CPDs and other financial mechanisms.
• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the SBC teams/staff and mobilize workforce and flexible external expertise to achieve SBC goals and objectives.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, tracking and management of funds for SBC.
• Oversee the identification, vetting and recruitment of consultants, vendors and other technical expertise to support delivery of SBC activities. Manage and oversee their activities and deliverables.
• Make viable recommendations to senior managers (internal and external) on inclusion of social and behavioral drivers in sectoral workplans and strategies.
• Advocate among senior decision makers (internal and external) for inclusion of social and behavioral approaches in sectoral workplans, strategies and funding plans.
• Contribute to the policy and agenda setting for SBC advocacy and investments within UNICEF office and among partners.
• Lead and represent UNICEF interests among stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and SBC in humanitarian actions.
• Represent UNICEF’s national SBC interests among partners and in national and international level fora.
• Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans.
• Initiate and provide strategic guidance for relationships with external partners, vendors and consultants for research and evidence generation.

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

• Lead on the development and/or use of tools, guidelines and training materials to build SBC capacity among country staff, implementing partners and other relevant government and non-government partners.
• Identify capacity development needs of country offices and partners and oversee design and organization of SBC capacity development initiatives, including new approaches such as behavioral analysis, behavioral insights, human centred design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms.
• Promote and advocate for best practices and uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally.
• Oversee SBC capacity assessments.
• Advocate with government counterparts for the uptake of SBC capacity building in national systems and plans.
• Provide strategic leadership for partnership development with academia and learning institutions for the delivery of SBC capacity development activities.
• Advocate for, establish and oversee mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement and SBC in humanitarian contexts.
• Initiate and oversee capacity development activities for humanitarian programming with a focus on preparedness, response and recovery.
• Secure resources for SBC capacity development activities.

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

Education:

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or another relevant technical field.
• Professional diploma/degree/certificate in SBC related theory, design or programme is highly desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), social behavior change, communication for development, public advocacy, or related area.
• Experience working in one or more developing country context in programme areas relevant for UNICEF Pacific is required.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Previous experience in Asia Pacific region is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

• Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Remarks

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. 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 disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

With regard to higher educational qualifications, UNICEF only considers degrees obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). 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.

Internal and external candidates are welcome to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates meeting the specific criteria will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.