Social and Behavior Change Officer (Polio)

Details

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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 fulfil 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.

Context

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. To learn more about working for UNICEF and our work in Afghanistan, please visit the following links: Working for UNICEF: https://youtu.be/43aiG4w2q_M?t=2 UNICEF in Afghanistan: https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Social and Behavior Change Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Social and Behavior Change Officer will: • Support the field offices in implementation of local initiative for raising awareness, increasing demand, and reducing polio vaccine refusals. • Compile the online and offline misinformation data and draft the analysis • Support in management of rumors and misinformation through establishing the misinformation taskforce at national and regional levels. • Mapping and engaging internal and external actors from different disciplinary backgrounds for addressing online and offline rumors and misinformation. • Support the field office in conducing community engagement sessions, training, and polio awareness events in line with regionals annual plan. • Contribute to development, review, and quality assurance of SBC materials and training materials to ensure optimum impact within politically and culturally sensitive context. • Prepare human interest stories, case studies and briefs on community engagement interventions for polio eradication. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.