Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Officer

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 2 Aug 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

For more than 70 years, UNICEF has worked to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them develop to their full potential. Today present in 190 countries and territories, UNICEF is the largest international organization for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. It has been working in Angola since 1976.

UNICEF's programmes in the country are in accordance with the Cooperation Program signed with the Government of Angola and based on the country's Development Plan. The general objective of the UNICEF Cooperation Program is to support government efforts aimed at reducing existing disparities in the social indicators of Angola's child population. The program is articulated and delivered through five programmatic areas of intervention (Child Survival and Development, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy and Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation) and two cross-cutting components, emergency sector and Social and Behavior change. Angola Country Office (ACO) has three field offices in Bíe, Uíge, and Huíla provinces which provide programme implementation, monitoring, logistics and operational capabilities in the field. UNICEF ACO is looking to hire five national UNVs for the position of Social and Behavior Change Officers who will be based in Ondjiva, Lubango, Moçâmedes, Kuito and Uige.

The incumbents will report to the Chief SBC for supervision and guidance and will work in close collaboration with the Emergency Specialist. As the UNVs will be located in the capitals of the provinces of Cunene, Huila, Namibe, Bie and Uige, the Field officers in the respective provinces will ensure day-to-day supervision.

The SBC Officers will provide technical and operational support to ACO by administering, implementing, monitoring and/or evaluating a variety of SBC initiatives and activities to promote community engagement and participation, and measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization, requiring the application of technical and theoretical skills and thorough knowledge of organizational goals, rules, regulations, policies and procedures to complete tasks. This includes planning support to technical missions from Luanda to the province, liaise with programmes, technical staff based in Luanda and with key stakeholders as required to strengthen partnership with Government and UNICEF visibility.

The UNV will support the Organization in reaching its goals as part of the Country Programme Cooperation with the Government of Angola. This entails especially supporting the generation of demand for social services related to health with an emphasis on COVID-19, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, child protection and education, and supporting the adoption of positive behaviours related to these areas by using evidence-based and equity-based social and behavior change strategies. More specifically, the SBC UNV will:

• Support the mapping of existing organizations, partners, and community platforms (CSO, NGOs, churches, schools), with potential or ongoing social mobilization actions on the promotion of positive practices in the areas of health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, child protection and education in the target municipalities • Assist in the planning and implementation of COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) interventions in targeted municipalities encompassing mass communication, social mobilization, community participation and interpersonal communication activities • Support the capacity building of community leaders and networks, social mobilizers, and volunteers in the promotion of COVID-19 preventive practices and continued access to essential social services such as nutrition services, immunization and other MNCH services • Assist in the implementation of advocacy meetings for the engagement of key relevant actors at community level to support COVID-19 prevention and other positive behaviours related to health, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, child protection and education • Support in the design and implementation of social accountability initiatives to increase community participation in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF supported interventions, including the implementation of community feedbacks mechanisms and reinforcement of the coordination, partnerships, and two-way communication among key stakeholders • Support, review and provide technical guidance and advices in the development of evidence-based communication materials under different formats according to the local needs • Support the Government counterparts in the coordination, management and monitoring of COVID-19 RCCE activities in the province and targeted municipalities • Provide support to Government counterpart and other implementing partners in developing funds requests to UNICEF by ensuring compliance with organizational processes and management systems • Prepare required documentations, materials & reports to contribute to the donor reporting of RCCE activities implemented in the Province • Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. This includes follow up with funds utilization and DCT (Direct Cash Transfer) liquidation. • Undertake field visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to supervisor, for timely action. • Assist in the preparation of RCCE emergency preparedness and response plans and in the development of partnership agreements by providing local information on the situation analysis and proposal of RCCE interventions, supplies and services • Participate in coordination and technical group meetings in relation to RCCE/SBC • Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and documentation of social research, studies, surveys or assessments related to COVID-19 • Assist in the preparation of learning/knowledge products, covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall SBC area • Prepare and submit monthly reports • As required and within the area of authority, performs any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o The efficient and effective technical, administrative and operational support provided to the development and implementation of SBC advocacy initiatives and products directly impact on the ability of UNICEF to promote social, political and economic action and changes in behaviors, social attitudes, beliefs and actions by communities, individuals and societies on children’s rights, survival and wellbeing. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable, locally owned and concrete results in improving the survival, development and wellbeing of children in the country. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalim: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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; • Communication: 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, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

areas of communication, social mobilization, community engagement and advocacy. Experience with international organization and/or large Organization or proven experience in communication and social mobilization for health/emergencies/ communities-based programs is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Children centered, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Angola is classified as a “B“ Duty Station. A to E duty stations are rated on a scale that assesses the difficulty of working and living conditions from A to E, with A being the least and E, the most difficult. Categories are arrived at through an assessment of the overall quality of life. In determining the degree of hardship, consideration is given to local conditions of safety and security, health care, housing, climate, isolation and level of amenities/conveniences of life. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service. Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org