Job Opportunity: Social and Behavior Change Assistant

Social and Behavior Change Assistant

General
Description of assignment title
Social and Behavior Change Assistant

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
01/05/2023

Sustainable Development Goal
11. Sustainable cities and communities

Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities
No

Host entity
UNICEF

Type
Onsite

Duration
12 months
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Yaounde

Details
Mission and objectives
UNICEF is an international humanitarian agency for children created by the United Nations Charter in 1946. The organization is present in more than 192 countries and works in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, child protection, HIV and AIDS, nutrition, policy and social protection. UNICEF operates in both humanitarian and development contexts, responding to the needs of children and women, especially girls and the most vulnerable.

UNICEF’s presence in Cameroon dates back to 1975. The organization works in the areas of education, water and sanitation, child protection, HIV and AIDS. While its upstream efforts focus on advocacy and lobbying for budgetary conditions favorable to children and women and the formulation of policies to promote their growth and development. At the operational level, UNICEF Cameroon focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders, providing services and creating partnerships for the improvement of children and women.

The overall goal of the Child Protection Program is to ensure that children, especially adolescent girls in vulnerable areas, are better protected from violence, exploitation and harmful practices, including in the context of humanitarian emergencies. The program thus contributes to the strengthening of governmental and community child protection systems, in order to identify and combat child rights violations more effectively. Particular attention is given to birth registration, prevention and response to physical and sexual violence, and elimination of child marriage based on evidence.

Context
UNICEF – the United Nations Children’s Fund – created in 1946, is one of the worlds most trusted and respected organizations – and the leading organization for children.

Since 1975, UNICEF has worked for the children of Cameroon to accelerate the realization of child rights for all children including the most deprived and vulnerable.

Working closely with the Government of Cameroon, civil society, the private sector and communities, UNICEF Cameroon Country Office aims to sustain results achieved for children to date, and strive to further improve policies, national institutions and programs, for the well-being of every child in Cameroon, in line with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2030 towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our programs focus on improving the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the country, regardless of their nationality, gender, religion or background. Our main pillars include: Child Protection; Education; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Adolescent and Youth Engagement; HIV and Health; Nutrition; Social Policy; and Operations.

How can you make a difference?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent roll-out of information campaigns for vaccinations has further highlighted the crucial role of accurate SBC strategies for demand generation and engaging audiences. Innovative SBC approaches for demand generation, including community engagement, behavior insight, complaints feedback mechanism are changing the ways people accept and use services available for them and their relatives.

To drive change for children, UNICEF Cameroon is supporting the Cameroon Government for the implementation of the national SBC/C4D national strategy, with a focus on demand generation for the utilization of available services in the sectors of Child Protection; Education; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Adolescent and Youth Engagement; HIV and Health; Nutrition; both in humanitarian and development context to reach and engage care givers, families and communities for the utilization of services available in favor of children. Demand generation through community engagement, behavior insight and AAP will reinforce UNICEF’s leadership as a credible voice for and with children.

UNICEF Cameroon has experienced strong growth across all demand generation strategies in the past 2 years with the COVID-19 pandemic. UNICEF Cameroon is seeking to recruit an exceptional Demand Generation UNV to spearhead UNICEF’s continued growth on SBC, and reach the bold targets set by the organization and Cameroon Government for SBC response. The Demand generation UNV will have the proven skills to contribute to the implementation of the demand generation strategy to achieve key results for children (KRC): Immunization (KRC 1), Prevention of Stunting (KRC 2), Access to education (KRC 3) , Improved Learning Outcomes (KRC 4), Protection from violence (KRC 5), Child Marriage (KRC 6), Birth Registration (KRC 7) and Ending Open Defecation (KRC 8)

Specifically, this position will ensure Cameroon SBC strategy facilitates increased engagement and participation from targeted groups, as well as ensuring better utilization of services available to achieve key results for children.

Task description
Under the direct supervision of SBC- Community Engagement Officer, the UNV Specialist will:

• Learn and support to design SBCC strategies for demand generation: Under the guidance of the SBC-UNICEF and Program Section guidelines, the SBC UNV demand generation learn and supports the design, management and facilitation of the implementation of Social and Behavior Change Communication strategy and action plans targeting the general public and service providers through: (a) behavioral development/change at the individual/household level; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; and (c) increased community participation in development programs for positive social change.
• Support the production of Program Communication Materials: In collaboration with partners, the SBC UNV Demand generation supports the organization of formative research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient program delivery, including facilitating behavior change where appropriate.
• Learning and Capacity Building Support: Under the guidance of SBC Section, the UN Volunteer will learn and support partners and Pragramme Section to develop materials and training activities to build capacity in participatory communication and behavior change.
• Support to Coordination and collaboration with government and other partners: Support government counterparts on the development and appropriate use of social development communication aimed at both individual behavior change and collective action. Provide technical support as needed.
• Support to Monitoring and Evaluation of SBC activities: Monitor and evaluate program activities based on applied SBC research and frequent visits to project sites; Disseminate SBC research findings, exchange and share experiences, lessons learned, best practices and new methods to government officials, program staff and other UNICEF partners; Contribute to the preparation of reports to donors.
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building: Implement innovative practices and approaches and the latest technologies across multiple media and social/digital platforms and networks that are appropriate/available for the Cameroon context.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

13. Results/Expected Outputs:

• Monthly report on the contribution to the design, management and facilitation of the implementation of Social and Behavior Change Communication strategy and action plans.
• Quarterly report on supports to the organization of formative research, development, pre-testing, and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient program delivery, including facilitating behavior change where appropriate.
• Quarterly reports on materials developed and training activities organized to build capacity in participatory communication and behavior change for partners and Pragramme Section staffs.
• Monthly reports of coordination meetings held with government counterparts, UN Agencies and other IPs.
• Final report on Monitoring and evaluation activities; regular dissemination of SBC research findings, exchange and share experiences, lessons learned, best practices and new methods and Contribution to the preparation of reports to donors.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 1 year) in planning for behavioral development communication, social mobilization, participatory communication and research.
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (ie studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
• Computer skills (ie Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Area(s) of expertise
Social work, Communication

Driving license
–

Languages
​​French, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in
social/behavioral sciences (sociology, anthropology, psychology, health education)

Competencies and values
​​• Professionalism;
• Integrity;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity;
• Commitment to continuous learning;
• Planning and organizing;
• Communication;
• Flexibility.

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at:

https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1721571522985216