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, Hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It 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, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF Somalia | UNICEF Somalia

How can you make a difference?

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Support to strategy design and development of S&BC activities

• Conduct, participate and/or manage a comprehensive S&BC situation analysis of social, cultural, communication, economic and political issues in the country/region. Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to establish comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the S&BC component of the Country Programme of Cooperation (and UNDAF).
• Participate in country programme planning and reviews to determine/discuss the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc) to ensure the successful and sustainable delivery of programme results and provide technical advice on evidence-based approaches, strategies and plans of action for S&BC to promote behavioral and social change.
• Prepare materials and related documentations for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programmes) 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 S&BC activities with UNICEF MTSP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response.

2. Implementation of S&BC activities

• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners and external partners to design evidence-based strategies and formulate, produce and test materials to organize S&BC events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.

• Confirm/approve the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to key audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend and/or select appropriate multiple media and communication format and platforms (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web etc.). Manage the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans.

• Carry out S&BC 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 to achieve sustainable programme results on children and women’s rights, equity and wellbeing. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for S&BC events.

• Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia, research and implementing organizations and other strategic partners and networks to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on children’s rights.
• Conduct and/or participate in M & E and Evaluation exercises, including country programme previews, meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of S&BC on UNICEF and CO Strategic Plans/Goals.  Take timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated.  Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.

3. Technical and operational support

• Collaborate with internal CO, RO and/or HQ colleagues to provide expert advise on the development of evidence-based strategies, approaches, policies and the planning of S&BC social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of programmes/projects implementation and delivery of results.

• Participate in CO strategic discussions to collaborate on policy and agenda setting for S&BC advocacy and investments and related external relations and resource mobilization initiatives.

• Participate in budget planning and management of programme funds and submit financial plan for S&BC initiatives. Approve the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners, e.g. academia; research and implementing organizations; media and communication networks; celebrities; journalists; media ; all sectors/levels of society, and critical audiences to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities for S&BC 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 strategies and messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance S&BC outreach and impact.

• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; UN Social & Behavior Change Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the UNDAF planning and preparation of S&BC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms for S&BC that are appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.
• Engage in evidence generation and research initiatives that may contribute to improved evidence in S&BC practices, and influence national and local policies and investments in S&BC for sustainable results.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned for products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners, local networks, and government partners.
• Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/government and non-government partners in evidence-based S&BC planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects.

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

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required:  social development programme planning, Social & Behavior Change, public advocacy or another related area.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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.

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 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:

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

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.