Social & Behavior Change and Education Associate

Volunteering

Overview

Support Social & Behavior Change and Education initiatives for UNICEF in Nepal.

You have:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in Social and Behavior Change, Education, or related field.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including drafting and reporting.
• Proficiency in knowledge management and documentation practices.
• Experience in partnerships and coordination with various stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that analyses and addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of individual practices and societal changes in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, their values, the socio-cultural norms, and the economic and institutional contexts that shape their lives, with the aim of engaging them and increasing their influence in the design of solutions for change. SBC brings social and behavioral evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around behaviors like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations across sectors needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable and peaceful.

UNICEF’s education program supports the Government in the modelling and scaling of quality- and inclusive education programs, as part of the broader implementation of Nepal’s School Education Sector Program (SESP). As part of this, UNICEF, in partnership with the EU and Finland will support the Government in contextualizing the strategies and activities of the SESP into local level planning, budgeting, implementation processes. In addition, a selected number of the 753 local governments will be supported through the so called ‘common package’, which includes programmatic support across the UNICEF education program priority areas and cross-sectoral linkages.

This UNV assignment is part of the UNICEF Country Office SBC Section with a second reporting line to the Education Section, where the UNV will provide support with the roll-out of the Sport for Development component for Social and Behaviour Change in Nepal aiming to scale it to South Asia, along with supporting the SBC team on the digital SBC component, capacity development and partnerships for SBC, in line with the ongoing regional and country initiatives. This position will support UNICEF Nepal SBC’s focus on exploring and employing new avenues to promote positive practices and ensure that communities, and every child, thrives in an equitable, cohesive and peaceful world.

For the education related scope of work, the assignment will support the UNICEF education section in the knowledge management and documentation of good practices and pitch documents, as part of the partnership engagement strategy with EU, Finland, and other key partners on the communication and visibility of the EU-UNICEF program and the ‘Common Package’ within this.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNICEF Nepal Country Office SBC Chief or his/her designated mandated representative(s), with a Second Reporting line to the Chief of Education section, and in close coordination with Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Specialists and Officers, the UN Volunteer will:

• Provide support to the Social & Behavior Change programme, provide support for the development of the Sports for Development (S4D) strategy and roadmap/action plan for Nepal, making the linkage with initiatives to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (e.g., PEN-Plus) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH), as a Country Office flagship initiative to scale to South Asia countries. • Liaise with the various stakeholders and Country Offices (COs) to ensure that the S4D strategy is well-rounded and practical in context; explore new areas, leverage the existing ones, and build on from what is already working under S4D. • Map Potential Partners for SBC (and beyond) and possible engagement entry points/avenues/areas in Nepal and South Asia (with COs): explore new avenues, develop an action plan and liaise with the partnership's focal points as needed. • Support Digital SBC Approach, research and gender focal points with exploring and leveraging ‘games for change’, with a focus on bridging the gender digital divide and promoting STEAM for girls: support with mapping the local tech and gaming sectors in Nepal and countries in the region, share ideas and strategies on how to leverage the sectors for fundraising, support, and partnerships for the priority areas/Areas for Acceleration (A4A). • Ensure that timely updates are shared with the SBC Team, COs, and other relevant stakeholders. • Support with knowledge management: ensure that the components are well documented for the Nepal SBC internal and external communication platforms as well as for SAR SBC hub, and liaise with the Knowledge Management & Communication focal points. • Review and provide detailed feedback and critical analyse of donor proposals and reports. • Develop and supplement education sections, donor communication packages and materials for increased visibility. • Identify and provide recommendations for opportunities to integrate cross-sectoral priorities into the fundraising strategy and documentation of the education programme. • Offer feedback, essential insights, and conduct reviews of UNICEF's education reports and fundraising proposals when required. • Draft evidence-based documentation, case studies and human-interest stories to present the education programme to partners and potential donors. • Draft documentation to highlight the importance of UNICEF’s education cross-cutting components and how they relate to and link in with UNICEF’s overall education strategy and goals for current programme cycle. • Perform other related documentation and partnership tasks as determined by the SBC and Education Sections based on the exigent needs of the specific month to be determined on a rolling basis in the last week of the previous month.

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 with 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.

As an active UNICEF Nepal Country Office 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: • Efficient and proactive support for: the Sports for Development component, with a clear strategy and a roadmap developed, support with partnerships and games for change. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

Professionalism: 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; excellent spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports/case studies and other KM products; 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;

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

the national and/or international level on Social & Behaviour Change, Education (based on innovative approaches), Sports for Development, Partnerships and/or digitalization. Knowledge of UNICEF tools and technology. Experience coordinating with country offices, external partners etc. Experience with UNICEF in South Asia is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;

Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • 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;

As this is International UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org