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.

UNICEF is working in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. 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. 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 fulfill their potentials but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of the country.

The UNICEF Zanzibar Field Office is part of the Tanzania UNICEF Country Office and is working on Health, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, WASH, Education, Child Protection and Social Policy.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Tanzania deploys Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) as 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, to engage them and increase their influence in the design of solutions for change using human-centred processes.

Key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to strategy design and development of S&BC activities

• Research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive S&BC situation analysis of social, communication, cultural, economic and political issues in zanzibar. Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and data to support the establishment of comprehensive and evidence-based information for developing and planning the S&BC component of the Country Programme of Cooperation (and UNSDCF) using different approches including Human centric designing.
• Collect, synthesize, draft and/or organize materials and related documentation for evidence-based S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNSDCF Programmes) to ensure optimum impact, scale, and sustainability of achievements/results.
  Assess, select and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for S&BC initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination.
• Monitor and assess the impact of S&BC strategies and activities on the CO and UNICEF goals to achieve measurable behavioural and social change resulting in the improvement of children’s rights and wellbeing. Submit qualitative report/synthesis of results for development planning and improvement.
• Oversee the implementation of the multi-sectoral parenting programming, ensuring synergies between key sectors (health, nutrition, education, child protection, WASH) in addressing important child rearing practices and behaviour among parents and caregivers, in the first two decades of child life cycle.

2. Support to the implementation of S&BC activities

• Collaborate and/or consult with internal and external partners to provide operational and technical support to research, develop, and produce evidence-based strategies and test, produce, and use quality S&BC materials, organize events and activities to ensure community engagement and participation, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change specially on shaping positive social norms.
• Provide technical, administrative, and logistical support and background materials to carry out S&BC strategies and activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods and procedures to ensure community engagement and participation, and optimum outreach and impact.
• Monitor implementation of evidence-based SBC interventions, Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources, and tools to support maximum impact and outreach of S&BC initiatives.
• Follow up and monitor the production of S&BC materials to ensure technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience (e.g., individuals, communities, government officials, partners, media etc).
• Collect, assess, and organize information for budget planning and management of programme funds and prepare documentations and related materials for financial planning for S&BC initiatives. Monitor/track the use of resources as planned and verify compliance with organizational guidelines, rules and regulations and standards of ethics and transparency.

3. Provide cross sector support for SBC, Gender, adolescence and ECD programming in Zanzibar.

• Ensure SBC interventions are incorporated to address negative social norms that impend on community development and increase awareness of children and adolescent rights for boys and girls including those with special needs.
• Intensify gender-inclusive, child and disability sensitive SBC interventions through existing platforms (CLTS, VHD, OOSC) approaches to scale up gender inclusive interventions in communities and Schools.
• Provide SBC technical support to nutrition and Health teams to enhance positive behaviour among parents and caregivers for reducing stunting and enhancing ECD practices Ensure WASH SBC interventions reaches adolescents in all 11 districts of Zanzibar through GRREAT interventions.

4. Support strengthening RCCE preparedness and response systems within Key ministries

• Work closely with the ministry of health to co-lead the RCCE pillar, and support coordination of other key ministries (MoEVT, MCDGEC, MOH, ZAWA, MWE, PORALGSD, 2nd VPO – DMC, as well as UN and development agencies in preparedness and responding to public health emergencies. Co-lead the RCCE pillar to ensure timely and accurate information exchange on RCCE interventions within UN system, empowering and building resilience of communities to shock and promotion of measurable behavioral and social change to reduce vulnerability and maintaining positive gains made in areas of WASH, health, nutrition, education, and child protection among others.

5. Advocacy, networking, and partnership and capacity building

• Build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with national and international civil society organisations, community groups, leaders and other critical partners in the community and civil society to reinforce cooperation through engagement, empowerment, and self-determination and to pursue opportunities for greater advocacy to promote UNICEF mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness.
• Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners and manage Social Media to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging to enhance Communication outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes
• Support the organization, administration and implementation of capacity building initiatives, including partnerships with training and academic institutions, to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders/partners across programme sectors in S&BC planning, implementation and evaluation in support of programmes/projects. Develop training materials for training activities, and revise and update them as necessary.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and Reporting

• Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners/users and disseminate products to key audiences including partners and donors.
• Provide technical support and leadership in M&E and AAP training for feedback generation and monitoring of behavior change and progress.
• Ensure SBC and RCCE is mainstreamed in joint monitoring and reporting efforts including compilation of SBC and RCCE inputs for regular situation reports (Sitrep) updates and annual reports.
• Using the designed SBC M&E framework ensure SBC indicators are well monitored and measured for evidence-based re-programming
• Participate in budget planning and management of program funds, including Monitoring and following up DCTs as intended, compliance with guidelines, rules, regulations and standards of ethics and transparency of the organization and undertaking other functions including contributing to the development of SBC related PCAs.

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

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, Public health, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social development programing, communication for development, public advocacy, or another related area. Experience in RCCE interventions is an added advantage.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language – Kiswahili 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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1), Works Collaboratively with others (1), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1), Innovates and Embraces Change (1), Thinks and Acts Strategically (1), Drive to achieve impactful results (1), Manages ambiguity and complexity (1).

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 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will 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.

Government employees that 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.