SBC Specialist (Research & Knowledge Management for Social & Behavior Change) TA P3 for 364 days ( Open to Non-South Sudanese)

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 116,975 USD and 153,170 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, We Care

BACKGROUND

Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and related community engagement strategies are central to achieving each of the five goals of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025. SBC is a cross-cutting, evidence-based process that uses a mix of communication tools, channels and approaches to facilitate participation and engagement with children, families, communities and networks, for positive social and behaviour change in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC’s primary purpose in supporting the achievement of the Strategic Plan results and outcomes falls into four broad areas: positive behaviour and social change; engagement and empowerment of children and communities; effective communication and community engagement in humanitarian action; creation of an enabling environment for social and behaviour change. In South Sudan, SBC remains a critical component of this endeavour, aiming to inform and build skills of the South Sudanese population about risks and prevention measures to ensure their support and acceptance of the social services, including vaccinations. Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines varies depending on diverse factors including geographical/gender disparities, access to quality immunization services and vaccines, trust and confidence in vaccines, health worker attitude and capacity. Evidence-based SBC strategies are needed in this phase of implementation to ensure equitable coverage of the vaccines and vaccine acceptance and uptake in South Sudan to complement the already ongoing work on promoting vaccine confidence and uptake as part of COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) work. Furthermore, the population of South Sudan faces significant challenges in access to health care, nutrition and food security, education, and protection from violence and harmful practices, which is exacerbated by conflict, insecurity, flooding and other shocks. Harmful social norms, some cultural practices, rumors and misconceptions remain one of the key challenges to an optimal utilization of the social services by the population and adoption of positive practices such as child vaccination or prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Proper SBC planning is key to address these challenges and for achieving UNICEF South-Sudan’s Country Programme goals. This includes the generation of quality data and engagement of the community in the decision-making and planning processes. For this purpose, UNICEF South Sudan is recruiting an SBC Specialist for supporting the Monitoring and Evaluation component of the programme to generate and to assist in the use of behavioral and social data. Furthermore, measuring SBC outcomes remains a challenge at global and local level. A proper documentation of the successes, challenges and lessons learnt is critical for improving programming within UNICEF and among partners and Government. The SBC RKM Specialist will also support in generating data to measure and disseminate the results of the SBC efforts and document good practices as well as the lessons learnt.

PURPOSE Working under the direct supervision of the Chief, SBC in UNICEF South Sudan CO, and in close collaboration with UNICEF program sectors and line Ministries, the SBC RKM Specialist will support UNICEF South Sudan in the generation and utilization of research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement and monitoring of SBC and Community Engagement programmes and outcomes and to build the evidence base for SBC programme of UNICEF in support to the Government of South Sudan. This will address primarily the COVID-19 response and Routine Immunization Programme. The consultant will also support and strengthen the use of behaviour and social data (surveys, studies, social listening reports etc.) in the areas of MNCH, Nutrition, Hygiene and Sanitation, Education and Child Protection to inform SBC strategies and appropriate programme responses. Furthermore, the SBC RKM Specialist will support the country to build long-term capacity in evidence-based and community-centered programming, use of community feedback mechanism to inform programming, social data collection, monitoring and evaluation of SBC projects and programmes.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Liaise with line Ministries, UN agencies, and other key partners, RCCE coordination platforms and clusters on social and behavioral data collection and sharing. More specifically: • Design and conduct community rapid assessments and behavioral surveys for exploring communities’ perceptions around COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination • Generate evidence through Behavioral and Social Data (BeSD) surveys and rapid assessments around Zero Dose Children (ZDC) and hard-to-reach communities for increasing Routine Immunization coverage • Conduct integrated, systematic and planned BeSD surveys for informing SBC programming in support to Health, Wash, Nutrition, Child Protection and Education programmes 2. Design Simple, user-friendly data collection tools for key performance SBC indicators. 3. Support line ministries, coordination platforms and other UNICEF partners in using evidence for informing SBC programming and design of demand generation interventions through development of evidence-based strategies, guidelines, tools, training and communication materials, etc. 4. Develop mechanism and innovative tools for remote monitoring of effectiveness of SBC programme interventions. 5. Support line ministries in integrating quality SBC indicators into the national health information system 6. Ensure quality data for key performance indicators for the SBC Programme are systematically collected, analyzed and disseminated widely. 7. Update UNICEF supported SBC interventions dashboard and mapping. 8. Work closely with clusters/sectors and other partners on mapping of partners and key interventions and identify most affected areas/communities using GIS. 9. Provide technical support in conducting RCCE/BeSD rapid assessments of various sectors and ensure gender analysis is reflected in these assessments. 10. Support and coordinate community feedback mechanisms (on-the-ground feedback, media and social media monitoring) to effectively inform UNICEF’s programs 11. Systematically collect all documentations relevant to the SBC Programme for monitoring and evaluation purposes. 12. Ensure that evaluations of humanitarian response and SBC interventions produce organizational ’lessons learned’. 13. Build the capacity of UNICEF’s partners in collecting and analyzing regularly demand generation performance data and community perceptions data and use for SBC and sectors’ programming 14. Generate data to monitor and measure the outcome of the UNICEF SBC programme in South Sudan in support to the sectors of health, water and sanitation, nutrition, education and child protection 15. Coordinate the SBC programme’s reporting activities on various programmes and projects, and timely submit consolidated and quality reports to the Section Chief 16. Support in donor coordination including contributing to proposals and reporting writing 17. Any other business as requested by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

1. Education An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, social and behavior change, public relations or another relevant field.

2. Work Experience • Minimum of 5 years of experience in SBC, RCCE, social mobilization, demand generation at national and international levels. • Strong technical knowledge and demonstrated experience in designing tools and strategies for quantitative, qualitative and/or participatory research in the fields of SBC, including, for example, Behavioral and Social Drivers Surveys; formative research; monitoring and evaluation of social and behavioural communication interventions and/or community engagement. • Demonstrated experience in designing rapid assessments in humanitarian context and disease outbreaks including behaviour identification; formative research; monitoring and evaluation of social and behavioural communication interventions and/or applying community engagement standards. • Experience and/or training in the application of social change theories and current developments and new approaches in the field of social and behaviour change communication, and demonstrated ability to apply them participatory processes, media, strategic communication planning, behaviour analysis, formative research and evaluation and/or capacity building. • Demonstrated expertise in use of ICTs for SBC, including, but not limited to, the use of U-Report, Rapid Pro, Internet of Good things, or other new media and technological innovations is an asset • Experience in a UN system agency or international development organization is considered an asset. Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset, as well as experience with working in emergencies. • Relevant expertise and experience in documenting case studies, fact sheets and sitreps in humanitarian responses. • Familiarity and experience in setting up community feedback mechanisms with local partners.

3. Language Proficiency • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset. Strong writing skills in English language.

4. Skills • Demonstrated skills in effectively packaging and communicating SBC-related data and results in emergencies. • Strong analytical skills and ability to work with and as a part of teams. • Integrity and professionalism with demonstrated experience in SBC; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and work harmoniously in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender • Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, and counterparts; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

5. Competency Profile

Core Values

Care Respect Integrity Trust Accountability

Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities)

*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) Drives to achieve impactful results (2) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

or

Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

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) Drive to achieve impactful results (1) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures, Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

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 include 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 promote 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:

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] 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 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.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.