UNICEF Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization & Health) Jobs in Kenya

UNICEF Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization & Health) Jobs in Kenya

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.

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) in UNICEF is a cross-cutting programme strategy that analyses and addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of individual practices and societal changes in both development and humanitarian contexts.

SBC uses the latest in social and behavioral sciences to understand people, their beliefs, their values, the socio-cultural norms and the economic and institutional contexts that shape their lives, with the aim of engaging them and increasing their influence in the design of solutions for change.

SBC brings social and behavioural evidence generation together with participation in community-led and human-centered processes. SBC is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors revolving around behaviours like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations across sectors needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable and peaceful.

UNICEF SBC employs a mix of approaches including community engagement (CE), strategic communication, applied behavioural science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening and policy advocacy to advance child and adolescent’s rights, survival, development, protection and participation in both development and emergency context.

How can you make a difference?

The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist (Immunization/Health) reports to the SBC Regional Adviser (RA).

Under the supervision and guidance of the RA, and in close collaboration with the Health section, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to UNICEF Country Offices (COs) in Eastern and Southern Africa region (ESAR) on overall SBC, but particularly contributing to the achievement of: 1- specific regional priorities, with a focus on addressing drivers and barriers associated to addressing maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality through primary health care; and, 2- the Immunization Agenda 2030, a global strategy to leave no one behind.

The SBC Specialist will provide support to all countries in ESAR on the development of systematic, planned and evidence-based and theory driven SBC strategies aiming at increasing sustainable demand and uptake of essential health services, including immunization.

The incumbent will also support capacity building of UNICEF staff and partners on SBC, with particular emphasis on research and analysis (including human-centered design), evidence-based planning (with emphasis on micro-planning), implementation of demand promotion interventions (including behavioural insights), preparedness and response to vaccine-related events, community engagement, capacity development on front line workers, and monitoring and evaluation of demand promotion interventions.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Technical support and oversight to countries: support UNICEF ESAR COs on the development of evidence-based SBC initiatives and plans aiming at sustainably increasing demand and uptake of essential health services, in particular those related to immunization and maternal and neonatal child health.

Generate and Use Evidence: support ESARO COs and their counterparts on the generation, analysis and utilization of SBC data to inform the design, testing, measurement, and monitoring of programmes, interventions and outcomes aiming at increasing the uptake of essential health services in both development and emergency contexts.

Advocate and Build Partnerships: Support the operationalization of SBC by advocating and mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors and teams, and building alliances and partnerships in the region.

Build Capacities: Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff, partners and implementers in the region.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related social science field is required.

A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in strategic planning for social and behaviour change with a strong focus on community engagement, behavioural science, social norm programming and participatory communication with at least 4 years served in a developing country leading/supporting SBC.

Proven competence in practical application of Risk Communication and Community Engagement applied to immunization in health outbreak (preparedness and response) is required.

Relevant experience in related areas in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

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

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UNICEF Social & Behavior Change Specialist (Immunization & Health) Jobs in Kenya

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