Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization), NO-3, New Delhi, India, SAR, Post Number 130612, Temporary Appointment (Open for individuals with valid work permit for India)

Under the guidance of the Social & Behaviour Change Specialist, Level 4, this post will provide technical support to MOHFW to strengthen demand generation in the health systems through social and behaviour change strategies and interventions. The role will primarily focus on supporting routine immunization SBC interventions as part of three-year programme, GAVI funded Health System Strengthening project.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, a vision

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 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.

How can you make a difference? 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Purpose for the Job:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to MOHFW to strengthen demand generation in the health systems through social and behaviour change strategies and interventions. The role will primarily focus on supporting routine immunization SBC interventions as part of three-year programme, GAVI funded Health System Strengthening project.

Under the guidance of the SBC Specialist Level 4, this post 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. The SMs (Staff Member) contribution to SBC (Social Behavior Change) programming is pivotal in the context of routine immunization promotion, lowering resistance to vaccines, managing equity focus through outreach programming and dropouts in many communities.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Support to strategy design and development of SBC activities 

• Research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive immunization acceptance situation analysis of social, communication, cultural, economic and political issues in the country/region. Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the immunization - SBC interventions development.
• Collect, synthesize, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for evidence-based SBC for immunization strategies and plans to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Assess, select and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for SBC initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination.
• Monitor the progress of the SBC for immunization strategies and activities in line with the GAVI HSS-3 programme goals. Submit qualitative report/synthesis of results for development planning and improvement.

2. Support to the implementation of SBC- Immunization activities

• Collaborate and/or consult with internal and external partners to provide operational and technical support to research, develop, and produce evidence-based strategies and test, produce and use quality SBC materials, organize events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.
• Provide technical, administrative, and logistical support and background materials to carry out SBC strategies and activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods and procedures to ensure community engagement and participation, and optimum outreach and impact.
• Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources and tools to support maximum impact and outreach of SBC for immunization initiatives.
• Follow up and monitor the production of SBC materials to ensure technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc).
• Collect and organize information for budget planning under the supervisor’s guidance and prepare documentations and related materials for financial planning for SBC initiatives. Monitor/track the use of resources, CSOs partnerships as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and maintain partnerships through networking with routine immunization partners and proactive collaboration with national and international civil society organizations, community groups, leaders and other critical partners in the community and civil society to reinforce cooperation through engagement, empowerment to promote the child right to immunization, protection from childhood diseases.

4.  Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Institutionalize/share SBC for immunization best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners/users and disseminate products to key audiences including partners and donors.
• Support the organization, administration, and implementation of immunization – IPC capacity building initiatives, including partnerships with training and academic institutions, to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners across GAVI HSS-3 project in planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects. Develop training materials for training activities, and revise and update them as necessary.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will 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.

Work Experience: 

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social communication, 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 inter-disciplinary 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, strategic notes articulation is highly desirable.

Technical Knowledge:

• Understanding of humanitarian communication, 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 Requirements: 

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from women, trans* and gender non-conforming people and persons with disabilities.

To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. In UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility.

If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

• This position is based in New Delhi, India.
• This is a temporary appointment, and the selected applicants will be given a 364 days of temporary appointment contract.
• When applying for the vacancy, candidates must possess a valid work permit for India.
• As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. 
• Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.  
• UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.   
• UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited / recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. 

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.