Job Detail

About UNICEF

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 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.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy and in operations. UNICEF's work is based on the need to address the impact of conflict and other phenomena affecting the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families and translate this commitment to children’s rights into action. UNICEF performs these tasks to give all children equal opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favouritism. This will ensure that every child has an equal chance in life. Moreover, UNICEF’s work accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in its Core Commitment for Children in the Humanitarian crisis.

In Afghanistan, more than forty years of conflict continue to undermine the rights of children to have access to their rights (Education, health, food, nutrition, protection etc) which adversely results in children and their families demonstrating Mental Health and Psychosocial disorders and challenge. The National Mental Health Survey and Assessment of Mental Health Services (2018)  showed that the population of Afghanistan is very much exposed to traumatic events: 66% have personally experienced at least one traumatic event, and 77% witnessed such an event, for a total of 85% who have either personally experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This is a very high number which is considered a risk for PTSD[1].  Irrespective of this alarming level of risk of PTSD in the country, the multiple levels of emergencies ranging from the conflict, which intensified in 2021, the COVID Pandemic and climate-related (storms, flooding, winter, drought, earthquake etc) emergencies result in further Mental Health and Psychosocial challenge for the population, including children.  According to the 2018 National Mental Health Survey, 10 % of children were found to be impaired in their daily roles by a mental health problem as evaluated by their mother; 8% may qualify for a potential diagnosis[1]. 

Job Description

Purpose for the job:

The Social and Behavior Change Officer reports to the Program Officer (Head of Out Post). S/He provides technical and operational support for developing a systematic, planned, and evidence-base strategy and interventions for SBC as an integral part of Polio program development, planning, and implementation. Through social mobilization and engagement and the empowerment and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, s/he promotes measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization for polio vaccine uptake and reduction of vaccine refusals.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of Polio SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC.  

• In collaboration with sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers, and other UN/NGO partners, design, implement, and/or participate in SBC situation analyses and formative research that identify social and behavioral drivers for the Polio program. 
• Initiate, commission, manage, and/or utilize qualitative and quantitative research on social and behavioral drivers that include behavioral analysis, human-centered design, social listening, behavioral insights, participatory research, and/or RCT.  
• Support data collection, tracking, monitoring, and reporting Polio SBC results and prepare syntheses of results. 
• Collate and summarize data, evidence, and trends for social and behavioral issues to inform evidence-based SBC strategies, plans, and activities 
• Assist in the establishment of community feedback mechanisms and use feedback to inform community engagement and SBC actions relevant to the Polio program Generate and use SBC evidence, data, and assessments for the Polio program  
• Contribute to terms of reference, research tools, frameworks, and protocols for generating evidence to inform Polio SBC initiatives and apply tools, methodologies, and frameworks for data collection, tracking, monitoring and reporting, and disseminating Polio SBC results. 
• Conduct and/or participate in-country programme monitoring and evaluation exercises and make recommendations on work plan revisions based on the results. 

2. Design, plan and implement Polio SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts.

• In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral specialists, relevant government officers, and other UN/NGO partners, provide technical and administrative support for the development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-based Polio SBC strategies and activities, in line with global standards and UNICEF priorities and approaches. 
•  In collaboration/consultation with UNICEF sectoral and cross-sectoral colleagues and implementing partners, select appropriate Polio SBC activities and platforms for engagement, ensuring quality and integration of the latest evidence and science-backed approaches. In this process, oversee coordination with Polio SBC stakeholders and partners to align plans and activities. 
• Identify/propose actional evidence-based programme/strategy recommendations from current data, evidence, and trends for priority social and behavioral issues and ensure the integration of the latest innovative approaches and technology in Polio SBC in programme approaches and advocate for their adoption among internal and external stakeholders.  
• Apply the above skills of designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring of community engagement and Polio SBC interventions in the context of the Polio program. 

3. Support the operationalization of SBC by advocating for Polio SBC, mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors, and teams, and building alliances and partnerships. 

• Represent UNICEF’s interests in partnerships and manage the development of and progress against joint project agreements with relevant partners; represent the UNICEF Polio program in different level fora and among partners as relevant and necessary. 
• Collaborate with provincial, regional, and national partners to link and coordinate Polio SBC approaches. 
• Cultivate resource mobilization opportunities and contribute to proposals, reports, and other materials to support resource mobilization. Contribute to mobilizing human resources for SBC, including staff, consultants, and external vendors.  
• Identify, recruit, and collaborate with consultants, vendors, and other technical experts to support the delivery of Polio SBC activities. Plan, use, and track the use of resources and verify compliance with organizational guidelines and standards. 
• Contribute to financial planning, budget planning and tracking and financial management for Polio SBC.  
• Advocate for the inclusion of community engagement and social and behavioral approaches in sectoral work plans based on active participation in sectoral programme planning and reviews and viable recommendations for the integration of Polio SBC. Advocate internally and externally for integration of SBC in national systems, in the country programme, and in sectoral plans. 
• Identify, disseminate, and adopt best practices and innovative approaches and technology in Polio SBC, integrate them in programme approaches, and support Polio SBC and sectoral teams in implementing them. 
• Coordinate with stakeholders and partners for the implementation of community engagement and Polio SBC in humanitarian actions. 

4. Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in Polio SBC for Polio program contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff, partners, and implementers. 

• Identify, design, and/or organize SBC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, including on new approaches such as behavioural analysis, behavioural insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms. Use and adapt existing UNICEF learning resources, guidelines, and training materials to build SBC capacity among staff, implementing partners, and relevant government and non-government counterparts. 
• Contribute to the development and institutionalization of best practices, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and provide technical assistance for the uptake of new SBC methods and knowledge internally and externally. 
• Coordinate and provide inputs into SBC capacity assessments 
• Identify and mobilize resources to support capacity development internally and externally and provide SBC technical support and capacity building to government counterparts.  
• Identify and contribute to the development of mechanisms to strengthen systems for community engagement in Polio program contexts.  
• Develop and/or adapt capacity development tools and activities for Polio program implementation. 

5. Support communication, community engagement, and vaccine management activities of polio programme

• Provide support in organizing media round tables and media visits and support the development of media kits for the Polio program.
• Promote innovative communication practices, approaches, and the latest technology for the Polio program to reach out to every child through multiple media, social/digital platforms, and networks for community engagement that are appropriate/available for the target audience.
• Collaborate with and consult internal and external partners to arrange community engagement events and activities to ensure social mobilization, participation of key audiences, and a maximum outreach of polio messages.
• Coordinate with provincial EPI and Cold Chain team to ensure that the required vaccines are available when needed.
• Ensure that effective temperature control and monitoring of cold chain standards and regulatory standards are met and in place.

Skills Required

• having experience in the mentioned field

Submission Guideline:

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 candidates 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). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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.

Applicants are requested to apply through the provided link: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/572362/social-behavior-change-officerpolio-no2-temporary-appointment-364-days-lashkar-gah-afghanistan-912345-open-to-afghan-nationals-only

Applications received via ACBAR jobs online portal will not be given consideration.

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