Internal/External Vacancy Announcement: Chief Social & Behavior Change, P4, Kampala, Uganda #82963 (Open to Non Ugandan Nationals Only)

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 126,630 USD and 163,264 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 voice

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child's path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework. Visit this Link to connect with our mission in Uganda.

Through its current country programme, which was designed in partnership with the Government of Uganda, UNICEF supports national efforts to accelerate the realization of children’s rights and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for children in line with the Government of Uganda’s Vision 2040. Moreover, the programme is aligned with the Third National Development Plan for 2020–2025 and forms an integral part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Uganda 2021–2025 as well as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.

The current Government of Uganda-UNICEF country programme 2021-2025 has six sectoral components: education, child protection, social protection, health, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). UNICEF also prioritizes cross-sectoral themes that contribute to holistic results for children, including early childhood development, adolescent development, social behaviour change, and advocacy. While working at national scale, UNICEF also uses a focus-district approach that targets those districts with the highest prevalence of child deprivation or vulnerability to external shocks, including refugee movements, disease outbreaks, and climate-related impact. In partnership with the government, UNICEF has identified 29 districts that meet this criterion, which UNICEF supports through three Zonal Offices and the Kampala Head Office. UNICEF works with each focus district on planning and budgeting, coordination, evidence-generation, and cross-sectoral collaboration and uses these experiences to inform programming in other districts throughout the country, while strengthening humanitarian and development linkages.

In Uganda individual behaviour remains deeply rooted in social norms and cultural practices that vary from region to region. At the same time, religion permeates every aspect of Ugandan life; it provides a framework for personal conduct, an established view on family life and organized communal activities. Hence, individual behaviour often needs to be negotiated within the larger socio-cultural environment. In the past several years, a rich compendium of research on knowledge, attitudes and practices and the underlying social norms has been conducted across different sectors in Uganda.

How can you make a difference?

The Chief Social & Behaviour Change reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction and is responsible for developing a systematic, planned and evidence-based strategy and process for Social & Behaviour Change (S&BC) as an integral part of programme development, planning and implementation. Through communication and engagement, 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.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

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

• Conduct, participate and/or manage a comprehensive 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 Country Programme of Cooperation (and UNDAF).
• Participate in country programme 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 programme results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action for S&BC to promote behavioral and social change.
• Prepare materials and related documentations for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programmes) 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 with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.

2. Implementation of S&BC activities

• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based strategies and formulate, produce and test materials to organize S&BC events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.
• Confirm/approve the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to key audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend and/or select appropriate multiple media and communication format and platforms (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web etc.). Manage the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans.
• 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 programme 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 programme previews, meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of S&BC on UNICEF and CO Strategic Plans/Goals. 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 internal CO, RO and/or HQ colleagues to provide expert advise on the development of evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of S&BC social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programmes/projects implementation and delivery of results.
• Participate in CO 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 programme funds and submit 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.

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 society, and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for S&BC advocacy to promote UNICEF’s 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 of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance S&BC outreach and impact.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; UN Social & Behavior Change Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF 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 latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for S&BC that are appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.
• Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in S&BC practices, and influence national and local policies and investments in S&BC for sustainable results.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned for products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build 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 programmes/projects.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following fields: Social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field. A first University Degree 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, Social & Behavior Change, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• 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 is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

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 candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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. Appointments may also be 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.