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Health Specialist Polio (Social and Behavioral Change) SBC, P-4, Temporary Appointment, 364 Days, Abuja Nigeria #132468

Apply now Job no: 582436
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Level: P-4
Location: Nigeria
Categories: Health

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Health

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

Background:

The Health and HIV section of the UNICEF Nigeria Country office provides oversight, quality assurance, technical assistance, and knowledge management in the field of Health and HIV with a focus on immunization (including polio), maternal newborn health and health systems strengthening. In collaboration with SBC and Communication and Advocacy sections, it supports communication for social and behavior change interventions for Polio, Immunization and health interventions.

Polio eradication is a corporate priority for UNICEF globally. Although there are only two remaining countries where polio is still endemic, unfortunately, the number and scale of polio outbreaks has continued to exceed expectations. Although Nigeria was certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free in 2020, the country is currently facing an unprecedented outbreak of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus Type 2 (cVDPV2).  To date in 2025, Nige   ria has reported a total of 33 cVDPV2 cases. To contain the outbreak, Nigeria has and will continue to implement  an aggressive schedule of outbreak response activities in 2025, requiring 

substantive support by Government and partners. UNICEF is committed to continue working on polio eradication until the goal is reached globally. UNICEF has been supporting the Government of Nigeria in its polio outbreak responses as the lead social and behavior change partner as well as in vaccine management support.  UNICEF Nigeria is managing more than 18,500 Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCMs) across 12 polio high risk states to promote polio vaccination during outbreak response and improve routine immunization. UNICEF is a key member of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), assigning key staff to the NEOC’s Strategic and Communications Working Groups and the logistic working group, as well as being a permanent member of the strategy group.

How can you make a difference? 

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:

  1. 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.

    2. 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.

     3.  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.

     4. 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.

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

Minimum 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, bio-medical sciences, public health) or related area, with emphasis on participatory communication, communication planning, social mobilization, participatory research.

Work Experience: A minimum seven 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.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (2)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (2)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (2)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (2)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (2)

 (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

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.

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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information..

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: W. Central Africa Standard Time
Applications close: W. Central Africa Standard Time

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