Social and Behaviour Change Officer (U-Report)

Contract

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

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is a global organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of children. In Afghanistan, UNICEF's work is concentrated on enhancing the lives of Afghan children and their families through various programs and initiatives. UNICEF Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) launched U-Report during the year 2020, since then it has been used as a primary tool for engaging and empowering young people. This platform encourages youth to express their opinions on issues that are important to them and raise concerns about the decisions affecting them. In addition to U-Report, UNICEF Afghanistan also operates the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) program. This program focuses on equipping adolescents with the opportunities, skills, and support they need to develop into active, responsible, and productive members of their communities. The Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is a set of approaches that promotes positive and measurable changes toward the fulfilment of children’s rights. SBC works with communities and authorities to understand and influence the cognitive, social, and structural drivers of change. It relies on social and behavioral evidence and a collaborative approach to addressing development and humanitarian challenges. SBC’s vision is to enable people to build a better future for themselves, their children, and their community’s is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results revolving around behaviors like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable and peaceful. The UNV will support SBC team to developing SBC strategies and plans, encouraging and incorporating U-Report Afghanistan, and providing technical oversight for youth engagement and participation activities. Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of SBC Specialist or his/her officer in charge, the UNV may be responsible for all or most of the following areas of major duties and key end results.: • Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2 • UNICEF in Afghanistan: https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/ • U-Report Afghanistan: U-Report Afghanistan (ureport.in)

The UNV Officer will play a pivotal role in the operation of U-Report and support the implementation of UNICEF Afghanistan's Youth engagement activities. Their primary responsibility will involve the facilitation of U-Report, which includes: 1. Mobilizing new U-Reporters, expanding the network, 2. Supporting translation of polls and reporting on poll results. 3. Engage with local communities, schools, and youth groups to promote U-Report and to encourage adolescent participation in this platform. 4. Respond to both requested and spontaneous messages from U-Reporters on the U-Partners platform, utilizing verified information and approved Q&As sourced from UNICEF sections and other U-Report partners. 5. Work in close collaboration with UN agencies, AY WG, youth led organizations, and Qahramanan youth network to promote the program and identify and address any obstacles to adolescent participation and developments. 6. Support the core team members of the youth network (Qahramanan) and provide timely tehciacnal support and follow up on their engagement with U-report platform. 7. Provide assistance to the SBC Programme Officer in educating youth groups, prospective national partners, households, communities, and young individuals about the use of U-Report as a tool for accountability within Afghanistan. Support capacity-building efforts to strengthen the local capacities around U-Report by facilitating workshops and orientations targeting Qahramanan (Youth Network), implementing partners, and community groups/frontline workers across all programs. 9. Prepare human interest stories, case studies and briefs on U-Report Afghanistan and youth engagement interventions. 10. Undertake any additional tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to the role.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- 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 reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application-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 SBC 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: • Monthly activities coordinated with team members and youth teams across provinces should lead to increased visibility of U-Report across Afghanistan. • Through community engagement sessions and outreach efforts, there should be improved knowledge among youth groups, prospective partners, households, and communities about how to use U-Report for accountability purposes. • Polls translated accurately from English to local languages (Dari & Pashto) which will ensure effective communication with the local population, enhancing engagement with U-Report. • Responding to messages from U-Reporters with verified information and approved Q&As will maintain the credibility and reliability of the platform, fostering trust among users. • 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.

Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral science, communication, public relations, international development and any other relevant field. • At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in Social Engagement or Social & Behavior Change (SBC), or other relevant programmes; experience with U-Report 2 is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • 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. • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in U-Report Afghanistan, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. Other information Inclusivity statement United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements: Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination).