Social & Behavior Change Specialist, NOC (Temporary Appointment) New Delhi, South Asia Region (SAR), Post Number 101056 (This vacancy is open for Indian Nationals only)

The Social & Behavior Change Specialist provide technical support to MOHFW to strengthen demand generation that is crucial to strengthen SBCC (Social and Behavior Change Communication) of health systems strengthening and enable policy implementation to shift from IEC (Information, Education and Communication) based planning to strategic and systemic SBCC driven programming. The focus of the SBCC systems strengthening will focus on demand generation for RI (Routine Immunization) and continued support to RCCE (Risk Communication and Community Engagement) capacities of the Government for COVID-19 as well as promoting children and adolescent’s vaccination through wide range of civic education activities.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. 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! 

Click here to learn more about what makes us proud to work for UNICEF!

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. Our workplace policies promote flexible work arrangements, to support all staff in maintaining a healthy life balance, both in and out of the office. UNICEF.  prides itself on fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

For Every Child, Support…

The SMs (Staff Member) contribution to SBC (Social Behavior Change) programming is pivotal in the context of routine immunization promotion, lowering resistance to vaccines, and managing equity focus through outreach programming and dropouts in many communities. These areas require programmatic vigilance and appropriate communication interventions. Apart, the SM will contribute to strengthening community engagement for routine immunization uptake through coordinating partnerships in zero-doze and low vaccine uptake areas in select states. The role includes regular reporting and coordination with MOHFW and donor updates.  

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world's thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference.

The Social & Behavior Change Specialist provides technical support to MOHFW to strengthen demand generation that is crucial to strengthening SBCC (Social and Behavior Change Communication) of health systems strengthening and enable policy implementation to shift from IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) based planning to strategic and systemic SBCC driven programming. The focus of the SBCC systems strengthening will focus on demand generation for RI (Routine Immunization) and continued support to RCCE (Risk Communication and Community Engagement) capacities of the Government for COVID-19 as well as promoting children and adolescent’s vaccination through a wide range of civic education activities.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks: 

Support to COVID Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities:

• Continued support to COVID vaccine communication strategies at the national level in coordination with MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
• Development and Dissemination of C-19 vaccine communication packages for children and adolescents
• Coordination with RCCE Partners, WHO, UNDP, and Gates Foundation on Risk communication on COVID-19
• Capacity development of partners, state officials, and CSOs on RCCE
• Facilitate community engagement for COVID 19 RCCE through CSO and other partners
• Support to UNICEF state offices on COVID RCCE strategic interventions
• Support new partners in communication planning, implementation, and capacity building for vaccine communication.      

Management of GAVI funded Routine Immunization (RI) Systems Strengthening:

• Support the roll-out of the SBC component of GAVI 5.0 through planning, the inception of projects, development of partnerships, monitoring tools, research and multi-stakeholder coordination and reporting.
• Support to Institutionalization of system strengthening initiatives through addressing the sustainability aspects and financial planning for quality SBC interventions led by Departments of Health at the state level.
• Contribute to the design and building on behavioral research for strengthening demand generation for routine immunization.
• Support demand generation for urban immunization through the design of special communication strategies and innovative interventions to map and track defaulters missed out children by addressing urban specific social barriers.
• Support development and implementation capacity building of frontline workers and social influencers through revised quality training modules.
• Community engagement for demand generation for RI through managing national CSO partnerships with a focus on zero dose children
• Coordinate with RI partners, ITSU (Immunization Technical Support Unit)/ JSI, WHO, Gates Foundation) to support the demand generation interventions for the rollout and scale-up new vaccine introduction – including adolescents vaccine such as HPV.
• Monitor and evaluate programme activities and prepare monitoring and evaluation reports. Exchange findings, experiences, lessons learned, and new methods with partners.   
• Participate in the budget planning and ensure the compliance and the optimal appropriation of allocated programme funds. 
• Draft quality progress reports and presentations to share with respective government counterparts and donors.  

To qualify as a champion for every child, you must have…

Education:

• An advanced university degree in Social and Behavioral Science / Development Communication/ Social Marketing/Sociology/ Anthropology/ International Development / Public health / Public policy or other relevant field is required.

Experience: 

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social communication, and development programmes, with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
• Experience is required in strategic communication planning for behaviour development/ social mobilization /advocacy/ participatory communication/development and production of creative materials/ research, training or facilitation of communication/ impact evaluation of communication interventions. 
• Experience in an interdisciplinary approach in strategic communication with knowledge of UN and/or UNICEF’s work in humanitarian action is desirable. Experience and proficiency in reports development, research reports, and strategic notes articulation is highly desirable.

 Technical Knowledge:

• Understanding of humanitarian communication, the role of communication in development, and social behavior change.
• Understanding of Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming.
• Understanding of UN Mission and system; and International Code of Conduct.
• Knowledge, skills, and experience in community capacity building.                                                                                              

Language: Oral and written fluency in English and Hindi. Knowledge of any India local language is an asset.

For every Child, you will demonstrate…

Core Values:

• Care 
• Respect  
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

For more details on competencies visit Here

Core competencies (Level 1):

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically  
• Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Remarks:   

• This VA is open for Indian nationals.
• This position is based in New Delhi (India).
• Selected applicant will have a 364 days Temporary Appointment contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment.

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