Fixed Term: Social and Behavior Change Specialist (Polio), NOD, Islamabad, Pakistan

Contract

This is a NO-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-4 contracts.

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.

The Social and Behavior Change Specialist NOD reports to the Senior Communication Manager P5 for general guidance and direction. The Specialist is responsible for coordinating the development, implementation and monitoring, and evaluation of systematic, planned, and evidence-based community engagement strategies and plans and their rollout through the Polio Provincial Emergency Operations Centers (PEOCs). Through planning and implementing communication and engagement plans, 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 achieving sustainable and concrete results in improving children’s rights, survival, and well-being in the country.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to strategy design and development of Polio S&BC activities:

• Support and participate in comprehensive Polio and 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 Polio National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) and the community engagement component of the Polio program;
• Participate in program 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 polio program results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action to promote vaccine acceptance, behavioral and social change;
• Design and oversee implementation of Community Engagement (CE) strategy of COMNET and Community Based Vaccinators (CBVs) with strong, hands-on oversight; ensure the strategy is evidenced based and follows ethical guidelines; establish comprehensive M&E indicators;
• Prepare materials and related documentation for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the Polio Programme) 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.

2. Implementation of S&BC activities:

• Provide strategic advice to ongoing behavior change analysis of key high-risk groups for Polio, including missed children, refusals, HRMP, etc., to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of program results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies, and plans of action for S&BC to promote behavioral and social change;
• Monitor implementation at the PEOC level of social mobilization strategies to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of program results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches;
• Collaborate with, advise, and consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based strategies and formulate, produce, and test materials and organize S&BC events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, maximum outreach, and impact on behavioral and social change, including engagement advice to advocacy and media strategies;
• 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 program 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 program previews, meetings, and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of S&BC on Polio Programme. Take timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.

3. Technical and operational support:

• Collaborate with the internal Polio team and Polio Eradication Programme partner colleagues to provide expert advice on developing evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies, and the planning of S&BC social and resource mobilization initiatives to support programs/projects implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in 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 program funds and submit a 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.
• Ensure that strategic planning processes, sectoral and cross-sectoral S&BC strategies, partners' S&BC strategies, and other relevant processes conform to the evidence-based quality and technical standards as defined by UNICEF’s program guidance.

4. 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 (socially aware) society and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for S&BC advocacy to promote UNICEF 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 multiple media and communication platforms to enhance S&BC outreach and impact.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency discussions with other Polio eradication Programme partners and plan to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the planning and preparation of S&BC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives, including emergencies.

5. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building:

• Implement innovative practices, approaches, and the latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for S&BC that are appropriate/available for the program context and audience.
• Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in S&BC practice and influence national and local policies and investments in S&BC for sustainable results.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build the 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 programs/projects.

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 minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• 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
• 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 Knowledge of local languages / Urdu, Pashto, etc, is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpins everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

• Nurtures, Leads, and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• (Nurtures, leads, and manages people) for the supervisory role]

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

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With an 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. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies, and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to deliver for children such as effectively;

• 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 program, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF is here to serve the world's most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. 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. 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 is committed to promoting 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.

Remarks:

• Verified educational certificates/HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process, candidates will be required to present HEC-attested degrees/certificates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF's active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering 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.
• 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 in case applicable. 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.