Social & Behavior Change Specialist, Polio, P3 at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Social & Behavior Change Specialist, Polio, P3

Job no: 580052
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-3
Categories: Social and Behavior Change

Purpose Of the Assignment

• Under the general guidance of the Polio SBC Manager - and in close collaboration with national Polio Team lead the incumbent will be working as a member of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), and they will be deployed to polio outbreak states as a member of the Management Support Team (MST) according to the outbreak SOPs.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the design, management, execution, monitoring and evaluation of behavior change and social mobilization activities in support of the National Polio Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) , with a specific focus on support to areas of SBC, Advocacy, communication, Social mobilization for polio eradication and for generating demand for and uptake of immunization services and will work on other health interventions as needed.

Major Responsibilites
Support to Polio Outbreak response SBC strategy design and development:

• Supporting the development of Polio outbreak response SBC strategy and activities includes the assessment of qualitative and quantitative information, participation in outbreak response 
• planning, review and preparation of high-quality educational materials, and collaboration with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Support the development of workplan and budget to implement consequential geographies approach at country level, including synergies within the health section, and other sections (e.g., Primary health care and routine immunization interventions)
• Lead the design and development of a package of SBC interventions, including support VCMs (voluntary community mobilizers) activities for both campaigns and in between round activities to stop cVDPV2 circulation in Nigeria.
• Regularly support to the Field Offices on SBC matters and attend the EOC meetings to contribute National ACSM working group in planning and decision-making process.
• SBC outbreak response activities and communication materials: Supporting the implementation of SBC outbreak response activities by providing support to the Field office team and partners during the response phase, verifying the technical quality, consistency, and relevancy of communications materials, recommending appropriate multiple media formats, and contributing to the implementation of SBC advocacy activities.

Implementation of SBCC activities:

• Ensure timely implementation and funds disbursement of SBC activities at national and sub-national level.
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult GPEI partners to design SBC strategies to respond to an outbreak of polio, including formulation, production and testing materials to organize SBCC events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change, including in humanitarian response.
• Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audiences (e.g. individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc). Recommend appropriate multiple media formats (e.g. print, digital/social media, TV/Radio, Web, community networks, etc.). Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.
• Carry out SBC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, etc.
• Support polio outbreak response and immunization efforts assessments and implementation of their recommendations.
• Support and lead when needed proposal writing and mobilization of resources to ensure SBCC and UNICEF polio response are fully funded.

Advocacy, networking, and partnership building:

• Identify, build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with strategic partners
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging and use of multiple media and communication platforms to enhance SBC outreach including in humanitarian contexts.
• Participate in organizational and/or inter-agency (UNCT; National UN Social and Behavioral Change Communication Roundtable) discussions and planning to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues in the GPEI, the GAVI and all immunization related planning and preparation of SBCC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.

Communication and Media Engagement:

• Develop the communication strategy for polio and other immunization programmes considering key communication practices
• Contribute to the development of the crisis communication, misinformation strategies and implementation plans in the outbreak countries which encompasses supporting the crisis communication assessment as well as development and implementation of the national crisis communication and misinformation management strategies.
• Establish and operationalize crisis communication mechanisms, including the development of SOPs and designation of spokespersons, to ensure a coordinated and effective response during Crisis with the support of HQ/RO and National EOC.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Social and Behavioral Change Communication, Public Health,  or other social/behavioral sciences or community health area (Health promotion, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education, Bio-medical sciences, public health) or related area, with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.
• A minimum of seven years progressively responsible work experience in public or community health and Social and Behavioral Change Communication, the planning and management of social communication programmes, including in immunization/polio.
• Background in public health and strong management skills would be highly considered.
• Knowledge of current developments in the fields of communication theory, motivational psychology, adult learning theory, indigenous media, digital communication, community organization and participation, strategic communication planning, behavior analysis, formative research and evaluation of communication interventions.
• Knowledge of inter-disciplinary approach in programme development and implementation in behavior and social change communication, social mobilization and behavioral change.
• Knowledge of and experience in emergency operations and management. 
• Knowledge and experience to organize and implement training, including development of curricula and methodologies.
• Computer knowledge, skills and practical experience, including internet navigation, network, telecommunications and various office applications.
• Fluency in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

Application Closing Date
21st February, 2025; West Central Africa Standard Time

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online