Social & Behavior Change Officer, NOB, Les Cayes/Gonaives, Haiti

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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, Results and Care

The rapid deterioration of the socio-economic context in Haiti, marked by violence and widespread insecurity, has led to an increase in humanitarian needs in the country. The country's structural vulnerabilities and susceptibility to natural disasters, climate change, and epidemics can lead to sudden catastrophes and significant changes affecting the government's and UNICEF's ability to provide basic social services. Persistent violence in areas controlled by armed groups prevents children and women from accessing health, nutrition, protection, education, and WASH services.

The situation has worsened in recent months, with approximately 4.4 million people urgently needing food assistance. Moreover, infant and young child feeding practices in Haiti remain suboptimal, while maternal care is inadequate. The already fragile situation of children is further compounded by the ongoing cholera epidemic, disrupting the lives of thousands of children. The metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the capital, remains the most affected, with the humanitarian situation increasingly extending inland, thereby exacerbating deprivation for children in accessing and realizing their rights. Security threats have created limited access to affected communities, especially those under the control of armed groups.

In this context, UNICEF is working with partners to establish, design, and implement mechanisms, strategies, and plans for effective social and behavioral change among the population affected by the current multifaceted crisis to support program implementation.

Social and behavioral change (SBC) provides support for the effective implementation of UNICEF's program in Haiti to meet quality standards in programming and service delivery. It also aims to provide information that could improve or save lives among affected populations through their preferred language and communication methods, ensure community engagement for the affected population's participation, systematically collect and share feedback, and inform program design.

Organizational context of the position: Medium-sized zone office with social and behavioral change interventions from the Country Program situated in the capital (Port-au-Prince), aiming to be in close proximity to implementation partners and communities.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Field Office (Les Cayes or Gonaives) and the technical supervision of the SBC Specialist (P3) at the Port-au-Prince Office, the incumbent provides technical and operational support to the UNICEF Field Office, the SBC section staff, and internal colleagues by administering, implementing, monitoring, and supporting the evaluation of SBC interventions in the field. The goal is to promote community engagement and participation, as well as measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization, requiring the application of technical and theoretical skills and a comprehensive understanding of the organization's objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to accomplish tasks.

Summary of duties and responsibilities:

1. Support in the design and development of SBC (Social and Behavioral Change) strategies and activities.

• Conduct and/or participate in conducting a comprehensive analysis of the social, communication, cultural, economic, and political situation in the region.
• Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the SBC component of the country cooperation program (and UNDAF) with a focus on the assigned area.
• Gather, synthesize, write, and/or organize related documents and documentations for evidence-based SBC strategies and plans to ensure optimal impact, scaling, and sustainability of SBC achievements/results

2. Support the implementation of social and behavioral change activities.

• Contribute to monitoring and evaluating the impact of SBC strategies and activities on the goals of the country office and UNICEF to achieve measurable behavioral and social change leading to the improvement of children's rights and well-being.
• Conduct SBC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc., to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination, and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral, and cultural change for sustainable program outcomes on children and rights, equity, and women's well-being.
• Develop/select communication materials and other tools for S&BC events in the assigned area.
• Submit a qualitative/synthesis report of results for development planning and intervention improvement.
• Provide technical, administrative, and logistical support and reference documents to successfully execute SBC strategies and activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods, and procedures to ensure community engagement and participation, as well as optimal awareness and impact in the intervention area.

3. Advocacy, networking, and partnership building, especially at the decentralized and community levels

• Identify and build strategic partnerships with local actors (governmental services, civil society, journalists, media, local leaders, associations, influencers) for proactive collaboration aimed at strengthening cooperation and/or pursuing S&BC advocacy opportunities to promote UNICEF, its mission, and objectives regarding children's rights, social equity, and inclusion.
• Collaborate and/or consult with internal and external partners (NGOs and CSOs), especially local ones, to provide operational and technical support for research, development, and production of evidence-based strategies, test, produce, and use quality SBC material, organize events and activities to promote community engagement and participation for maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.

4. Innovation, knowledge management, and capacity strengthening

• Institutionalize/share best practices and acquired/produced knowledge with local and national partners and stakeholders to enhance users' capacities and contribute to disseminating products to key audiences, including partners and donors.
• Contribute to implementing capacity-building initiatives to improve the skills of local stakeholders/partners (governmental and non-governmental) in planning, implementing, and evaluating SBC to support programs/projects, including in humanitarian contexts.
• Monitor with partners the implementation of new or innovative practices, approaches for SBC.
• Support the implementation of youth engagement and the expansion of U-Report and the use of other appropriate/available social/digital platforms and networks, including in humanitarian response.

5. Communication and documentation

• Support the office in gathering human interest stories, informational articles to feed various UNICEF platforms.
• Act as a liaison for the communication team in identifying stories, news that can attract media attention and facilitate the organization of special events, high-level visits, and media visits to relevant sites.
• Support networking with celebrities and local influencers to assist UNICEF in advocacy efforts at regional and local levels.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and/or behavioral sciences, communication for development, communication, sociology, anthropology, psychology, development studies.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in program planning, management, and/or research is required.
• Work experience in Haiti or any other developing country is considered an asset.
• Proficiency in French and working knowledge of English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN language or local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads, and manages people.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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.

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 are encouraged to apply.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

Please note that this is a non-family duty station. The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.