Batch Recruitment (5 Positions) : Social & Behavior Change Officer(Port Sudan) – UNICEF

Job Description

Job no	567856
Contract type	Temporary Appointment
Location	Port Sudan, Atbara, Kassala, Wad Madani, and Kosti
Level	NO-2
Categories	Social and Behavior Change
Advertised	29 Nov 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline	05 Dec 2023 E. Africa Standard Time

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.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

UNICEF provides humanitarian, peace, and development assistance to children, families, and communities in Sudan, with a focus on health, nutrition, WASH, child protection, social protection, learning, and skills. 

The needs of children and young people at risk of and affected by the conflict, epidemics, and climate change, are at the heart of UNICEF’s work in Sudan. This includes large-scale response to emergencies and lifesaving needs; investment in preparedness and resilience; seeking durable solutions for displaced people; supporting conflict prevention, social cohesion, and peace; building and strengthening support to and partnerships with civil society, local and international NGOs, private sector, frontline workers and local institutions; and preserving and strengthening systems that deliver basic services.

Social and Behaviour Change and Community Engagement (SBC/CE) in UNICEF is a cross-cutting program 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, to engage them and increase their influence in the design of solutions for change. SBC brings social and behavioral 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 behaviors like immunization, feeding practices, learning, hygiene, and positive discipline, as well as transformations across sectors needed to make societies more inclusive, equitable, and peaceful. 

SBC contributes to UNICEF’s response efforts to multiple crises with a presence on the ground inaccessible states and remotely in conflict hotspots. To strengthen the SBC footprint in inaccessible states, five (5) positions at the NO-B level are advertised for batch recruitment:

1. Port Sudan, Red Sea State

2. Atbara, Northern State

3. Kassala, Kassala

4. Wad Madani, Gezira

5. Kosti, White Nile

Successful candidates may be deployed to any of the above-listed duty stations.

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Chief, SBC Section and in close coordination with  

Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Specialists and Officers, you will contribute to/ be responsible for the design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of evidence-based, inclusive, and innovative SBC/CE strategies in support of the country program. 

As an advocate for children, you will have the following duties/tasks:

• Work with sectoral teams to generate and utilize research, data, and evidence to inform the design, measurement, and monitoring of SBC programs and outcomes in both development and emergency contexts and to build the evidence base for SBC. 
• Together with sectoral teams, design, plan, and implement SBC activities that are backed by social and behavioral evidence and strong engagement and participation mechanisms in both development and humanitarian contexts. 
• Support operationalization of SBC by advocating for the integration of SBC, while mobilizing resources, coordinating across stakeholders, sectors, and teams, and partnership building. 
• Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for UNICEF staff and partners. 

For more information, please double-click on the following link to view the full job description:

  TORs – SBC Officer NOB (5 positions batch recruitment) ml edits.pdf

To qualify as a Champion for every child you will have: 

• A university degree (bachelor’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, including sociology, anthropology, communication studies/communication for development, psychology, and/or a related field is required.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development program planning, communication for development or social and behavior change, public advocacy, or another related area. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English & Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates). However, priority will be given to staff on TA, and UNVs who have current experience working in Sudan,, especially in active conflict areas.

Please mention the duty station(s) you prefer to work at in your cover letter. 

Eligible staff members in the National Officers (NO) or General Service (GS) categories on fixed-term, continuing, or permanent contracts at the Sudan office can apply for the post and keep a lien against their original positions.

The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 30 days of receiving an offer. 

This position is not considered an elevated-risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable males are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: 29 Nov 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 05 Dec 2023 E. Africa Standard Time