General

Description of assignment title: Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Officer

Assignment country: Afghanistan

Expected start date: 10/10/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNICEF

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kabul

Details

Mission and objectives

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 fulfil 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.

Context

UNICEF as the leading United Nations child rights mandated organization works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF Social and Behavior Change (SBC) programme works with people of Afghanistan and programme partners to expand access to services, reach and engage at risk and vulnerable communities with life-saving messages and information related to Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection programme and as well as reach the affected people to share their feedback through the established feedback mechanisms.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of SBC Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV may be responsible for all or most of the following areas of major duties and key end results.: Under direct management and technical supervision of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Unit UNICEF CR Kabul. The SBC UNV will be assigned to provide direct support on data collection/evidence generation, planning, coordination, programme communication, projects’ implementation, monitoring, reviews, and reporting of SBC/AAP programme activities. Main Duties & Responsibilities:

•  Provide technical support to SBC Unit UNICEF CR Kabul on data collection, planning, implementation, monitoring, facilitation of reviews, and follow-up on SBC/AAP programme activities in 12 Central Region provinces of Afghanistan.
•  Conduct capacity building trainings and orientation sessions to SBC/AAP programme partners and Extenders/Social Mobilizers and community structures.
•  Ensure SBC/AAP coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and actors at provincial level. Support SBC/AAP interventions with relevant LTA holders.
•  Participate in SBC/AAP WG and coordination meetings and ensure UNICEF visibility and branding in all interventions.
•  Support field level emergency preparedness and response activities, perform monitoring visits to project sites using standardized monitoring form/checklist. Provide monitoring support to UNICEF programme related media campaigns.
•  Provide technical support on data analysis and reporting related to SBC/AAP activities. As per the established format prepare and submit SBC/AAP programme progress report on monthly basis.
•  Engage community structures/key influencers and communities in collecting/responding to community feedback. Provide information about availability and utilization of UNICEF supported programme services to people/communities.
•  Identify best success stories of SBC/AAP interventions, provide support to the distribution of relevant supplies IEC and BCC materials and supplies.
•  Conduct programme field visits to project sites to ensure smooth implementation of the SBC/AAP activities based on annual workplan. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
•  Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
•  Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•  Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
•  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
•  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
•  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

2 years of experience in Social and Behavioral Science, Sociology, Public Relations, Public Health, Communication, or another relevant technical field

•  Ability to speak publicly, knowledge and skills of documenting activities (writing short articles/success stories, project activity reports).
•  Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a result-oriented manner under demanding working conditions, often with short deadlines.
•  Excellent knowledge of Computer Literacy/Microsoft Office 365/Office Programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other software programs).

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Community development, Development programmes

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Working knowledge, Required Dari, Level: Working knowledge, Required Pashto, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Social and Behavioral Science, Sociology, Public Relations, Public Health, Communication, or another relevant technical field.

Competencies and values

•  Professionalism
•  Integrity
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity
•  Commitment to continuous learning Communication
•  Flexibility
•  Accountability
•  Communication
•  Empowering Others
•  Integrity
•  Planning and organizing
•  Self-Management

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Social and Behavior Change Officer UNV will be based in UNICEF CR Kabul Office where all the required facilities are available. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing, transportation, and other living essentials. Entitlement; Entry lump sum: (onetime payment)USD 400 Volunteer living allowance: (per month)USD 780 Exit allowance ( for each month served, paid on successful completion of the assignment): USD 50. Medical and life insurance Cigna private insurance. Leave Entitlements;

•  Uncertified Sick Leaves: 7 days
•  Certified Sick Leave: 30 days
•  Maternity Leave: 16 weeks
•  Paternity Leave: 10 days leave
•  Training and leaning Leave: 10 working

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.