Health Specialist (Social and Behavioral Change Communication SBC) at UNICEF

Purpose for the position

Under the general guidance of the Health Manager -Immunization & Health systems and oversight from the Chief of Health and HIV and in close collaboration with Chief of SBC and Communication team 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 country Polio plan, with a specific focus on support to areas of communication for polio eradication and for generating demand for and uptake of immunization services and will work on other health interventions as needed.

Key function, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks

Support to SBCC strategy design and development

• 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 SBCC interventions , including VCMs (voluntary community mobilizers) integration into CHIPS (Community Health Influencers and Promoters) to eradicate cVDPV2 9for both campaigns and between vaccination rounds)
• Assess/synthesize qualitative and quantitative information, data and evidence to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the SBCC interventions both for polio outbreak response, maintenance and routine immunization strengthening.
• Participate in country programme planning and reviews to contribute to discussions on the underlying and contextual issues to be addressed (e.g. policies, gender/children inequality, cultural/social behavior etc)
• Prepare or provide quality assurance on materials and related documentations for SBCC strategies and plans (as a component of polio outbreak SOPs) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results.
• Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of SBCC activities with UNICEF SP, CO global communications and advocacy activities and UN System development activities and initiatives at the CO level, including in humanitarian response
• Participate and provide technical support to COs so SBCC staff is optimally engaged in national EPI planning processes and polio communication activities.

Implementation of SBCC activities

• Ensure timely implementation and funds disbursement of SBCC activities at national and sub-national level
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult GPEI partners to design SBCC 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 SBCC 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 

Technical and operational support

• Collaborate with field office colleagues, regional office and GPEI partners to contribute to the development of strategies, approaches, policies, and the planning of SBCC social and resource mobilization initiatives in support of polio outbreak response.
• Participate and lead when needed budget planning and management of programme funds and prepare financial plan for polio SBCC initiatives required to stop polio outbreaks in the context of consequential geographies approach. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

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 SBCC 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.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to analyze data on SBCC in the context of cVDPV2 erradication, jointly with the information management team
• Implement innovative practices, approaches and latest technology on multiple media and social/digital platforms and networks for SBCC that are appropriate/available for the CO context and audience.
• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners and disseminate these products to key audiences including donors and partners.
• Organize/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners (government and non-government) in SBCC planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects including in humanitarian settings.

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.
• Draft a diverse range of written materials including factsheets, newsletters, reports, press releases targeting different audiences and stakeholders.
• Develop, through creative and innovative methods, and disseminate visual storytelling packages, create online content and meaningful engagement with different target audiences on platforms including websites and social media pages
• Support the preparation of materials for meetings and events.
• Coordinate with regional communication team to develop consolidated, strong visual and written communications products on regional outbreak response efforts and review and advise on current messaging.
• Develop strong media engagement in coordination with regional communication team

Impact of Results

• The strategic and effective development and implementation of SBCC advocacy initiatives and products directly impact on the ability of UNICEF to promote social, political and economic action and changes in behaviors, social attitudes, beliefs, harmful social norms and actions by communities, individuals and society on children’s rights, survival and wellbeing. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable, locally owned, and concrete results in improving the survival, development and wellbeing of children in the country.

The incumbent:

• Makes decisions on appropriate Social and Behavioral Change Communication methodologies and approaches, technical resources required, quality and appropriateness of communication materials produced, target audiences to be reached, allocation of financial resources, as well as timeframes for various activities, all of which will affect the results of the polio eradication efforts in Nigeria.
• Makes recommendations on operational strategies in the areas of communication for polio eradication; on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences; and on the way in which Social and Behavioral Change Communication should be integrated into the country response plan.
• The most damaging error(s) that could be made in the performance of the job could come from lack of understanding of and insensitivity to political and cultural realities in promoting behavior change in the country , which could cause damage to UNICEF’s image and relations with the Government and partners. The inadequate assessment of social and political trends, and the omission of important partners would result in ineffective strategies, loss of credibility and unfulfilled programme objectives.

Competencies and level of proficiency required (please base on UNICEF Competency Profiles)

Core Values

• Care
• Respect 
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core competencies

• Communication (III)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising (I)
• Formulating strategies/concepts (II)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Persuading and influencing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Entrepreneurial thinking (II)

Specific Technical Knowledge Required 

• 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.

Recruitment Qualifications Education:

• 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.

Experience:

• A minimum 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.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is of added value