Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization)

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About the Organization

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

Job Description

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.

Job Responsibilities

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.

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.

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.

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.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• 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.

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