Social Science Specialist (Basic Social Analytics)

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Communications & PR

Overview

Manage and strengthen operational social science in UNICEF programs.

You have:

• At least three years practical experience in community-based programs at the national and international level.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct operational research in both humanitarian and development contexts.
• Experience in humanitarian crisis responses, including public health emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to use mixed methods with an emphasis on qualitative research methods and approaches.
• Proven experience in coordinating diverse teams, partners, and networks to strengthen community-centered approaches.
• Proven experience in delivering capacity building and training courses for local teams to produce and use operational social science data.
• Experience with the UN or an international organization or NGO.
• Proven communication skills – verbal, written, visual of highest quality suitable for range of internal and external audiences.
• Good coordination and negotiation skills, with the capacity to build partnerships across organizations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN Language is an asset.

Contract

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

Social and Behavior Change 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. Social and Behavior Change (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. Social and Behavior Change (SBC) brings social and behavioral evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. Social and Behavior Change (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 Social and Behavior Change (SBC) employs a mix of approaches including risk communication and community engagement, strategic communication, applied behavioral science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening, social mobilization and policy advocacy to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation.

Strategic office context:

The position will be responsible for embedding and strengthening the role of operational social science in the design and delivery of programs. The position will provide support to the national level leadership of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) interventions, as well as to other sectors involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of programs by providing technical guidance and strategic directions, contributing to evidence-based decision-making using a variety of information sources including community-level data (e.g. behavioral insights, community feedback, social listening, monitoring data) and social science intelligence (operational social science research). She/he will hereby maximize collaboration and complementarity with other sectors and social science capacity across development, public health emergencies and humanitarian interventions.

Purpose of the assignment:

Social science assessments, research and analysis are vital to design, deliver and monitor effective programs. Social and behavior change approaches and strategies as provide valuable insights into the culture, practices and experiences of communities affected by the Issue the program aims to address. Under the general guidance of {chief Social and Behavior Change (SBC) } and in close coordination with Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Sections and Offices, the incumbent will contribute to bring a better understanding of people’s established socio-cultural systems that include different forms of authority, organization and coping and resilience mechanisms to face adversity, and how these elements shape their ability to put desired behaviors into practice, local perceptions related to the issue of concern as well as the uptake of program measures, and the trust in public authorities. She/he will also be expected to build the capacity of national staff member on the behavioral sciences and social analytics.

Key functions, accountabilities and related tasks:

Technical guidance and support:

• Undertake a rapid contextual analysis drawing on existing social data and evidence and identify key aspects impacting the design, implementation and monitoring of programs.
• Provide technical advice to enhance standardized approaches to the collection, analysis and use of socio-behavioral data according to program needs. • Provide practical advice and tools to Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Social and Behavior Change (SBC), and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) partners to undertake rapid ethnographic assessments on social norms and beliefs, behaviors, perceptions, power dynamics and political economy in relation to programs and emergency responses. • Engage with relevant sectors (according to the program) to understand their specific needs of information related to the social context where the program will be implemented. • Provide support in developing participation and engagement mechanisms adapted to local cultural contexts and social structures • Support partners in the proper analysis, framing and dissemination of operational findings. • Contribute to knowledge management aspects to ensure tools, protocols, and methodological expertise are made available to all relevant response partners.

Capacity-Building:

• Undertake a rapid capacity needs assessment among Implementing Partners, Risk Communication and Community Engagement RCCE, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) partners and develops targeted capacity-building and training initiatives to strengthen applied social sciences in programs. • Ensure capacity building and knowledge and skills transfer to SBC local staff.

Partnership:

• Liaise with research colleagues and partners to inform and influence the social research agendas • Map and develop together with the CO team's partnership agreements with regional and national academic institutions and partners with relevant social science implementation in development, PHE and humanitarian expertise. • Liaise with agency focal points and strengthen partnerships with main social science stakeholders in the program to ensure the systematic inclusion of social science intelligence in all stages of the program (definition, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation)
• Facilitate partnerships between operational community engagement agencies and social science expertise to enhance a better understanding of socio-behavioral factors impacting program outcomes, trust building, participation, and overall risks analysis.

Coordination:

• Map and assess the needs for socio-behavioral data across relevant programmatic areas to identify critical evidence, capacity and resource gaps. • Support the development of an operationally focused community engagement research agenda which responds to local needs and priorities and strengthens communities’ voices in the design and implementation programs and coordinate closely with other social science experts working on the program to advocate for emerging priorities. • Work closely with community engagement partners, Information Managers and available social science expertise to establish effective mechanisms for data sharing and data flow management. • Collaborate with M&E experts and the community engagement interagency team (where available) to adapt and implement the M&E framework. • Collaborate with social science experts deployed (where available) to advocate and ensure the systematic inclusion of all social science intelligence in sectoral programmes. • Work closely with the national Risk Communication and Community Engagement RCCE, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Coordinator and commission sub-commission leads to ensure that socio-behavioral research and evidence is underpinning operational and strategic decision-making processes in relation to community engagement and other relevant sectors This will mean to assess information needs and data gaps, understand preferred communication channels and formats, and co-develop actionable recommendations with partners and key stakeholders from other response pillars. • Engage with all relevant sectors part of the program through the implementation of the social science work to ensure their participation in the development of data collection tools, presentation and inclusion of results in programs.

Other: • Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Core Values

• Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness. • Works Collaboratively with Others. • Builds and Maintains Partnerships. • Innovates and Embraces Change. • Thinks and Acts Strategically. • Drives to Achieve Impactful Results. • Manages Ambiguity and Complexity.

• At least three years practical experience in community-based programs at the national and international level. Experience in humanitarian crisis responses, including public health emergencies is an additional asset. • Demonstrated ability to conduct operational research in both humanitarian and development contexts. • Demonstrated ability to use mixed methods with an emphasis on qualitative research methods and approaches, taking into account gender and diversity issues. • Proven experience in coordinating a diverse range of teams, partners and networks to strengthen community-centred approaches. • Proven experience in delivering capacity building and training courses for local teams to produce and use operational social science data. • Experience with the UN or an international organization or NGO. • Proven communication skills – verbal, written, visual of highest quality – suitable for range of internal and external audiences, including influencing senior managers and external stakeholders. • Good coordination and negotiation skills, with the capacity to build partnerships across organisations and bring people together to collaborate on approaches and activities. • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team. Diplomacy, tact, and negotiation skills are essential. • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN Language is an asset.

Afghanistan is a unique country, and UNICEF's humanitarian operation is equally distinct, presenting both opportunities and challenges. The operational environment is complex, shaped by ongoing humanitarian needs, security concerns, and logistical constraints. Despite these challenges, working in Afghanistan offers a deeply rewarding and enriching experience for those committed to making a tangible impact.

Due to the prevailing security situation, international staff are required to live within a secured compound, with movement restrictions in place to ensure safety. This setting demands a high level of adaptability, resilience, and cultural awareness. Living and working in a confined environment with limited personal freedoms requires patience, teamwork, and the ability to maintain morale in challenging circumstances.

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Potential interview questions

Added 7 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org