Generic Vacancy Announcement: Social and Behavior Change Specialist, P3, Athens, Greece, One year with a possibility of renewal

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 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, a social change….

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nation.

Job organizational context:

UNICEF became operational in Greece in early 2016 as an outposted team from the Regional Office of Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) to respond to the significant influx of refugee and migrant children and their families at that time. Following several years of engagement with national stakeholders, UNICEF and the Government of Greece made a decision in January 2020 to formalize the agency’s presence in the country as a full-fledged Country Office. The office falls under the auspices of the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia located in Geneva, which supports the work of 22 Country Offices within its geographical scope, reporting in turn to global headquarters in New York. Within the framework of a mandate for all children in Greece, UNICEF and Greece are now working to address the needs of all vulnerable, marginalized and left-behind children in the country.

In the context of the Country Programme for Greece (2022-2026) approved by the UNICEF Executive Board in February 2022, UNICEF and the Government of Greece have agreed on national targets for children, concerning health, education, social protection, child protection, justice and youth employability. Social and behaviour change – SBC interventions are foreseen under all Outcome areas of the Country Programme and are considered critical for the achievement of targets and increased results.

Of note, regarding the health and nutrition agenda, and within the context of the National Action Plan on Public Health 2021-2025 and the National Prevention Programme ‘’Spyros Doxiades’’, UNICEF is scaling up programming to address the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the country. Amongst the programme main objectives, is the development of strategies and programmes focusing on achieving social and behavioral change so that children and their caregivers across Greece make more informed lifestyle choices. Similarly, SBC interventions are planned across key programmatic priorities, including in the context of UNICEF’s family and child health programming, mental health and psychosocial support, addressing harmful practices, period de-stigmatisation, youth engagement and Roma participation.

How can you make a difference:

The Social and Behavior Change Specialist reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and supervision and will work closely with the Programme Specialist (Child Obesity) – P4 and other relevant programme staff. The Social and Behavior Change Specialist will be responsible for providing technical and operational support to the UNICEF Greece Country Office and national stakeholders for developing, implementing and assessing a systematic, planned and evidence-based SBC strategy as an integral part of programme development, planning and implementation. Through SBC approaches and techniques that consider psychological, societal and environmental factors influencing the adoption of positive behaviours and using participatory approaches s/he will promote and support measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Generate and utilize social and behavioural data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes.
2. Design, plan and implement SBC strategies and activities that are backed by social and behavioural evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms.
3. Support operationalization of SBC by advocating for SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and partnership building.
4. Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners.

Detailed tasks and functions can be viewed on the attached generic job profile ---

VA - GJP - Social and Behavior Change Specialist P3 TA.pdf

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

Education:

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.

Experience:

A minimum of five 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 other international organization is required.

Experience in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SBC initiatives under UNICEF, Government/ EU–funded projects or other internationally funded programs is required.

Experience in SBC in relation to health promotion and nutrition programs is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.

For every child, you demonstrate...

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

Core Competencies for Staff

· Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

· Works Collaboratively with Others (1)

· Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

· Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

· Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

· Drives to Achieve Impactful Results (1)

· Manages Ambiguity and Complexity (1)

View our competency framework at https://www.unicef.org/careers/get-prepared#Competencies

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:

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement (GVA) for the Social and Behavior Change Specialist, P3 with UNICEF Greece. A successful and recommended candidate of this talent group would be assigned/offered placement for this position subject to necessary approvals and funding availability.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates, including persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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.

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