Fixed Term: Chief Social and Behavior Change (SBC), P-4, Islamabad, Pakistan

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 131,634 USD and 169,714 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, Commitment!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among others things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilizers, communities and families, and of course, the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio, and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website, www.unicef.org/pakistan, and videos on YouTube and Vimeo.

Social and Behaviour Change in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that analyses and addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of individual practices and societal changes in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, their values, the socio-cultural norms and the economic and institutional contexts that shape their lives, with the aim of engaging them and increasing their influence in the design of solutions for change. SBC brings social and behavioral evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around behaviors like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations across sectors needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable and peaceful.

UNICEF SBC employs a mix of approaches including community engagement, strategic communication, applied behavioral science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening, social mobilization and policy advocacy to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation.

Purpose for the job:

The Chief, Social and Behaviour 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 behavioural 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.

How can you make a difference?

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

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 behavioural drivers.
• Synthesize and stay current with data, evidence and trends for social and behavioural 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 behavioural analysis, human centred design, social listening, behavioural 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 behavioural 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 behavioural 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 behavioural drivers in sectoral workplans and strategies.
• Advocate among senior decision makers (internal and external) for inclusion of social and behavioural 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 behavioural analysis, behavioural 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…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.
• *A first University Degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, social and behavior change, behavior and social science, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as 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.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The competencies required for this post are Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2), Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3), Works Collaboratively with others (3), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3), Innovates and Embraces Change (3), Thinks and Acts Strategically (3), Drives to achieve impactful results (3), Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our contracts, benefits and wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.

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.

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.

Remarks:

• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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). 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.