Social Behaviour Change (SBC) Officer UNV

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation. UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future. We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

The recent 2021 NDHS survey revealed that 4% of Nepal’s annual birth cohort did not receive any vaccine demonstrating that this portion of the children remain unreached and unprotected against the recommended doses of vaccines. Furthermore, with the current need to sustain the efforts in immunization, the goal is to credibly reach over 90% coverage of all antigens at all levels with focus in areas with the highest number of unimmunized children. To achieve this target, the NIP needs to ensure communication and social mobilization activities are well planned, tailored and effective to bring about intended impact. The proposed UNVs will be positioned in the Technical Support Units (Immunization) of the four Provincial Health Directorates (Provinces: Madhesh, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim) to strengthen capacity of provincial and local governments and provide technical assistance on advocacy, communication and social mobilization for routine immunization, introduction of new vaccines and supplementary immunization activities. The objective of having SBC Officer is to strengthen capacity of provincial and local governments and provide technical assistance on advocacy, communication, risk communication and community engagement and social mobilization for routine immunization as well as COVID-19 vaccine, introduction of new vaccines, supplementary immunization activities and child health activities.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Health Officers in UNICEF’s Field Offices and technical supervision from Health/Immunization Specialists in the Nepal UNICEF Country Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV SBC Officers will: • Provide technical support to the Provincial Health Directorate and local governments in evidence-based planning, budgeting implementation and monitoring of advocacy, social mobilization, risk communication and community engagement activities for routine immunization and child health-related activities • Support the Provincial Health Directorate and local governments in development of training modules, content for print materials and mass media for routine immunization introduction of new vaccines and supplementary immunization activities. • Strengthen capacity of provincial and local governments including training to health workers, FCHVs, social mobilization focal points, media and relevant stakeholders on social mobilization and community engagement including RCCE for routine immunization, introduction of new vaccines, supplementary immunization activities and other child health related activities • Support in establishing linkages between the Provincial Health Directorate and other social development sectors within the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD)/Ministry of Health and local government to strengthen and integrate social mobilization and community engagement for child health and development. • Technical support to UNICEF’s local implementing partners on implementation of SBC interventions including engagement of child/youth clubs etc. • Support implementation of digital health and monitoring of communication, social mobilization activities for routine immunization. • Coordination with provincial and local governments/mechanism for adaptation and implementation of the National Communication Strategy for Routine Immunization • Support UNICEF NCO and FO in collecting, collating, and analysing data from the districts and provide timely feedback for course correction in support to Routine EPI strengthening initiative. • Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources, and tools to support the maximum outreach of SBC initiatives. • Propose evidence-based programs and activities for addressing social and behavioural issues related to immunization, particularly for missed children and zero-dose cases, based on current data, evidence, and trends. Advocate for the adoption of new innovative approaches and technologies in the program to improve social and behaviour change (SBC) and promote them among various stakeholders • Promote continuous learning, strengthening, and scaling up in SBC for both development and humanitarian contexts through capacity building for Provincial and local government and implementing partners • Document human interest stories/case study from the ground and sharing with the Field office and Communication team to show the SBC intervention is effective in routine immunization strengthening. • Work along with TSU members to synergize team effort in routine immunization strengthening at province and local level • Accountable reporting to supervisor on key performances on monthly, quarterly, half yearly and yearly basis • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 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. • As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Submission of a situation analysis report on the status, of communication and social mobilization including submission of bi-monthly activity report covering specific tasks on advocacy, communication, and social mobilization. One case study to be attached in each report. • 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