Health Specialist, Polio (Social and Behavioral Change) at United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

About United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (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.

Purpose of the Assignment

• Under the supervision of the Senior Health Manager/polio team lead, the incumbent will be working as a member of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), and 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 SBC strategy design and development:

• Support the development of workplan and budget to implement polio 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 SBC interventions to stop the outbreak of cVDPV2 through  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 SBC interventions both for polio outbreak response, maintenance and routine immunization strengthening.

Implementation of SBC Activities:

• Ensure timely implementation and funds disbursement of SBC activities at national and sub-national level.
• Collaborate with, advise and/or consult GPEI and non GPEI polio partners to design SBC strategies to respond to an outbreak of polio, including formulation, production, and testing materials to organize SBC 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 SBC 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 SBC 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 SBC 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 SBC 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 SBC outreach including in humanitarian contexts.

Impact of Results

• 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 SBC advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives including emergencies.
• The strategic and effective development and implementation of SBC 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.

Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive Job alerts on WhatsApp
Hub 1
Hub 2
Hub 3

Requirements

• 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, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health) or a related area, with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.
• Work Experience: A minimum seven (7) 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.
• Skills: 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.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is of added value.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2025.