Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Polio), NO-C, Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghan Nationals Only

Contract

This is a NO-3 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-3 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, a Voice

Afghanistan has undergone enormous change. These changes have transformed the context of many aspects of polio eradication efforts and have posed a series of challenges to the polio programme as a whole and to its communication strategies in particular. The communication strategies developed in 2020 and 2021 were applicable during a different times as they were designed to meet a different set of challenges. Therefore, these communication strategies need to be redesigned to respond to a new and still evolving context.

Recognizing this fact, the Afghanistan polio communication team developed a process to identify the main challenges and rethink its strategies of response. This involved a series of retreats at the national and regional levels and a desk review of background documents providing information related to campaign coverage, modalities, gender, community engagement (CE), mobilization strategies, training needs, media, social media, staffing, and human resources, influencer engagement, integration with other services, and identification of partners.

The communication strategy that follows is the result of this consultative internal discussion combined with an analysis of key documents and available information. It identifies a core set of programmatic challenges, communication objectives, outputs, and indicators that recognize the fluid and uncertain context, the reduced or fluid capacity of resources and programs, and the day-to-day pressures of implementing campaigns in full force when insecurity remains a major concern.

How can you make a difference?

The Polio SBC Specialist reports and receives guidance and advice from the SBC Polio Manager in the implementation of the Section’s Strategy. The Specialist provides technical and operational support in developing a systematic, planned, and evidence-based strategy and process as an integral part of program development, planning, implementation, and campaign coordination. Through communication, engagement, and mobilization, the Specialist facilitates the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts in promoting the eradication of Polio and supporting routine immunization in the country.

1. Support the strategic design & development and Coordination of SBC Polio activities

• Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive SBC Polio situation analysis of social, cultural, economic, and political issues in the country/region, including through national/subnational working groups or committees.
• Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data, and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Polio Eradication.
• Participate in Polio program planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, campaign design gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior, etc.) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of program results and provide technical recommendations on approaches, strategies, and plans of action for SBC to promote vaccine uptake.
• Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentation for SBC Polio strategies and plans (as NEAP) to ensure optimum impact, scale, and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of SBC Polio activities with UNICEF Guidance The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

2. Implement Community Engagement and Social Mobilization activities

• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design SBC Polio strategies, including formulation, production, and testing materials to organize SBC campaigns and engagement activities to ensure participation of key community members, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change, including in case response to eradicate polio in the country.
• Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency, and relevancy of social mobilization and community engagement strategies, including materials that are developed, produced, and disseminated to target audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media, etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community networks, etc.). Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.
• Carry out SBC Polio advocacy and coordination activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc.
• Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with authorities, communities, academia, and other strategic partners to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements by ensuring their engagement, interests, in supporting the efforts to reduce the circulation of the virus, and contributing to SBC intervention used to eradicate polio.
• Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including program reviews, meetings, and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of SBC Polio on UNICEF and CO Strategic Plans/Goals. Recommend timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.

3. Provide technical and operational support

• Collaborate with internal CO, RO, and/or RO colleagues to contribute to the development of Polio strategies, approaches, policies, and the planning of SBC Polio social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programs/projects implementation and delivery of results, including outbreaks response.
• Participate in Programme strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for SBC Polio advocacy, investments in the partnership, and resource mobilization for community engagement activities.
• Participate in budget planning and monitoring of program funds and prepare a financial plan for SBC initiatives. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations, and standards of ethics and transparency.
• Lead/support the campaign design activities and community engagement initiatives resulting in the reduction of refusals mobilizing caregivers to take the vaccine. Coordinate the planning and reporting process ensuring the activities are implanted based on the agreed framework.

4. Promote advocacy, networking, and partnership building efforts

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; social networks; celebrities, journalist, media, all sectors/levels of (socially aware) society, and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for SBC advocacy to promote UNICEF’s mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link, and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance SBC outreach including in humanitarian contexts.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; National UN Social & Behavior Change Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with partners/colleagues in the NEAP planning and preparation of SBC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.

5. Promote innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building efforts

• Implement innovative practices, and approaches that utilize the latest technology in multi-media and social/digital platforms/ networks that are appropriate/available for the CO context and the communities.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build the capacity of practitioners, and disseminate these products to key groups including donors and partners.
• Organize/implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners (government and non-government) in SBC Polio planning, implementation, and evaluation in support of programs/projects including in endemic situations.

6. Provide system strengthening, integration, and coordination

• Work with stakeholders and partners to support and strengthen health promotion, the integration of SBC activities and the enhanced coordination of all partners.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective development and implementation of SBC Polio engagement initiatives and products have a direct impact on UNICEF’s ability to promote polio eradication, economic action, and changes in social behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, norms, and actions that enhance 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.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations, or another relevant technical field. *A first University Degree 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 5 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development program planning, social & behavior change, Community Engagement, campaign desk, public advocacy, or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working on community-based projects is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

• 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)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or an offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

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 may also be 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.