Senior Social and Behavior Change Manager, P-5, Fixed Term, Polio Eradication Programme, New York, USA

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 208,877 USD and 261,770 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, health

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does – in programs, 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 all children have the opportunity to fulfil 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 nations. The Global Polio Eradication Programme aims to reach all children of the world with vaccines that protect children from disability and death.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Senior Adviser Health, the incumbent is accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation, and management of polio social and behavior change work under UNICEF’s commitments within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This entails providing overall leadership on all aspects related to Social and Behavior Change (SBC), social mobilization and community engagement in the Polio Eradication Initiative, including responsibility for polio eradication SBC interventions globally. In addition, the incumbent is providing analysis on the social context affecting vaccination, coordinating SBC strategy and inputs across the GPEI partnership and with multiple sectors, including, External Communications, Partnership and Fund Raising, Programme Group SBC, Training, Media and Advocacy, Digital communication and Misinformation Management, EPI, and Monitoring and Evaluation. Contributes towards the design and implementation of a coherent UNICEF workplan on UNICEF’s strategy for SBC related to polio eradication at all levels – endemics and outbreaks. Leads the polio eradication team in the design, field-testing, scaling up and monitoring of innovative contemporary and digital social mobilization and community engagement strategies (i.e., focus "downstream” towards the Regions and countries). Act as the main technical advisor for Regional Office and Country Office staff on SBC, social mobilization, and community engagement for polio eradication. Be responsible for enabling and resourcing teams in SBC strategy implementation including design, field testing, compilation, dissemination etc. of experiences, and lessons learned. Confidently represent UNICEF SBC Polio portfolio, demonstrating UNICEF leadership, building credibility and reputation as a global cutting-edge pattern that is able to create an enabling environment for Polio eradication, vaccines and broader social and behavior change at scale. Possesses strategic vision to sustain vaccination behavior and public support at the final stage of Polio eradication as humanity approaches Polio Free world.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

• Manages a team of communication professionals to enable, resource and support country Polio SBC teams to plan, program and implement polio eradication communication, social mobilization, digital community engagement and misinformation management strategies.
• Leads the team in the tracking of progress, sharing and formulation of good practices, lessons learned, information, and capacity building across the regions. Oversees the sharing of key findings with Programme Group and others in a timely manner, so effective practices and insights are promptly adopted benefiting UNICEF’s SBC, social mobilization, and community engagement work.
• Coordinates and sources Polio communication surge support. Deploys on mission to the field (country level) upon the request and in support of country office teams to assist in SBC implementation, provide strategic direction and advice on programmatic adjustment, as necessary.
• Provides leadership and vision at UNICEF Headquarters for policy and strategy in advocacy and SBC, social mobilization, and digital community engagement for polio eradication. Provides technical and policy advice to Director Polio Eradication Programme, country Polio Team Leads, and Regional Offices to inform senior level staff of situation, policy and programme direction on polio-eradication related SBC, social mobilization, and community engagement. Leads in the analysis of polio eradication social mobilization and community engagement needs, designs appropriate strategies, and supports implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SBC activities for the polio eradication initiative.
• Leads in the design and implementation of a coherent UNICEF global workplan on SBC, social mobilization, and community engagement for polio eradication, articulating UNICEF NYHQ Polio SBC team role and contribution in Polio eradication.
• Co-leads Global Polio Eradication Initiative Global Communications Group (GCG) and formulates strategy and tactics for aligned GPEI communication programme that is linked with technical needs of Polio eradication programme, poliovirus epidemiology, and introduction of new Polio vaccines. Advises Strategy Committee on key communication considerations, opportunities, and risk.
• Represents UNICEF in relevant working groups and with key donors, and partners. Contributes to UNICEF Polio fundraising efforts by actively promoting and reporting on Social and Behavior Change as a core component and UNICEF accountability in Polio eradication.
• Establishes, strengthens, and maintains UNICEF credibility in the field of Polio SBC, working level of contacts and collaboration with key partners including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, USAID, Rotary International, CDC, NGOs, and other key operational partners to review and update global policies, ensure adequate commitment to support countries on communication activities.
• Prepares programme reports and proposals required by Management, Board and donors.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in the social/behavioral sciences (Communication, Anthropology, Health Education, Sociology, or any other relevant subject matter)
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in SBC including 3 years of fieldwork experience
• Proven management experience, ability to manage diverse teams in complex settings
• Proven track record in building alliances, networks
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization
• Background / familiarity with Emergencies
• Peer-reviewed publications in health and social and social mobilization / communication 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 Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

Competency areas:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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

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:

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.