Social & Behavior Change Officer (RCCE), NOB, Karachi, Pakistan

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 toughest places, to reach the world most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil 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, advocate!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

The Social & Behavior Change Officer NOB (TA) will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office in Sindh with technical guidance from the Chief of SBC and in close coordination with other SBC Specialists in Islamabad as required. The SBC Officer is responsible for supporting efforts of provincial Government to design systematic, planned and evidence-based SBC interventions on RCCE for COVID-19 and regular sectoral and cross sectoral interventions as informed by the social data and strategic guidance provided by UNICEF Islamabad team. The SBC Officer will also be responsible for designing and implementing evidence-based SBC approaches to plan for and respond to other emergencies also through social change/mobilization; communication, engagement, empowerment and participation of stakeholders, partners' constituents, communities and civil society.

To make a difference you will be accountable for the following key duties & tasks:

1. Coordination, Collaboration and Partnership for RCCE and cross sectoral activities in the province:

• Support the Government for smooth functioning of the already established RCCE and cross sectoral coordination mechanisms/taskforce through regular structured meetings to discuss better coordination among partners working on RCCE and multisectoral interventions.
• Identify, develop, and maintain partnerships with provincial partners, including UN agencies, INGOs, media, academia, research institutions; religious leaders associations, medical associations and other relevant organizations and coordinate their involvement in RCCE and cross sectoral activities.
• Coordinate with RCCE taskforces and cross sectoral coordination mechanism to avoid duplication of efforts and resources
• Coordinate the SBC response in other emergencies and cross sectoral interventions.

2. Designing evidence based RCCE/SBC interventions, culturally appropriate communication messages and material giving special attention to children and vulnerable groups living in most deprived communities in priority districts:

• With support from SBC team in Islamabad and M&E colleagues, regularly review and analyse available social data, information from direct observation from the field to assess behavior pattern; link it with surveillance data and use the information to inform RCCE/SBC strategies and plans in collaboration with relevant provincial departments, stakeholders, and other partners.
• Engage with provincial and district level government and non-government partners to facilitate the development of evidence based RCCE/SBC interventions including specific strategies for urban slums, high density areas, high risk areas. In coordination with other UNICEF programme specialists in the province and with SBC team in Islamabad, lead on the development of a longer term comprehensive RCCE and SBC plans, which will include interventions required to address health, nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection and Social Protection.
• Support the Provincial Department of Health, stakeholders and partners on the development, production, pre-testing of culturally relevant messages and communication material for different segments of the population.
• Ensure that the RCCE and SBC plans are revised to respond to the situation as it evolves and if shifts are seen in programme focus.
• Provide technical support to the Government to develop Social and Behavior Change Communication plans to respond to any other emergency including disease outbreak or other natural disasters which may occur in the province

3. Support to implementation of RCCE/SBC activities:

• Provide oversight and technical guidance to roll out the plans of action on RCCE and other emergencies to promote behavioural and social change related to COVID-19, other crisis/emergencies, and cross sectoral interventions.
• Ensure use of multiple communication channels: mass media, loudspeaker announcements, engagement with influencers and religious leaders, youths etc. to disseminate accurate messages, engage communities and promote behavior change
• Develop and manage partnerships with CSOs to reach vulnerable and rural communities with community engagement activities using interpersonal communication and other media as appropriate
• Ensure engagement of affected populations as right holders in defining needs and priorities, and in implementing and reviewing/assessing humanitarian action.
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to organize SBC events and activities for maximum outreach and impact on behavioural and social change.

4. Capacity strengthening

• Building onto the existing resources, adapt and or develop training material to build the capacity of Government, partners, health workers and frontline workers on interpersonal communication.
• In coordination with provincial programme specialists and Islamabad office, organize and facilitate capacity building of Government staff, CSOs, Religious leaders and other relevant partners in community engagement and social and behavioral communication interventions in emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

5. Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Liaise with CSOs, Government partners and UN agencies to collect, collate, analyse and report data on RCCE/SBC on periodic basis to be shared with the programme specialists in the province and Islamabad Office.
• Contribute to RCCE part of Situation Report on COVID-19, updates on RCCE; other emergencies and cross sectoral interventions as required
• Conduct and/or participate in Monitoring and Evaluation exercises, including participation in emergency management team meetings and to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of SBC interventions.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned in RCCE/SBC in emergencies and in cross sectoral interventions.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

• Implement innovative practices, approaches, and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for SBC that are appropriate/available for the programme context and audience.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.

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

• A University degree (Master's or above) in social and behavioural science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another related technical field is required.

*A first University Degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in areas of social development program planning, communications for development and public advocacy, training in interpersonal communication and/or related areas at the international and/or large organization. Relevant experience in HIV and experience of working in UN system agency is an asset.

• Experience in the development and management of rapid assessments, formative research, monitoring, and evaluation for communication programmes is an advantage

• Previous experience in managing outbreak communication would be preferable. Background/familiarity with the application of SBC strategies emergency situations, including disease outbreaks, considered an important asset.
• Fluency in English is required. knowledge of local language is an asset.
• Availability to travel frequent to the field and actively engage with partners and stakeholders.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1), Works Collaboratively with others (1), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1), Innovates and Embraces Change (1), Thinks and Acts Strategically (1), Drive to achieve impactful results (1), Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

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

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our contracts, benefits and wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.

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.

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:

• Verified educational certificates/ HEC Attested Degrees are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees/certificates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.