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 is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to Commitment

UNICEF’s fundamental mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — across programmes, advocacy and operations. UNICEF’s equity strategy, with its focus on the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to child rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that every child has the opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. When any child has an unequal chance in life — socially, politically, economically, civically or culturally — their rights are violated. Evidence shows that investing in the health, education and protection of the most disadvantaged children not only helps every child fulfil their potential but also contributes to sustained national growth and stability. This is why equity is central to UNICEF’s mandate: it accelerates progress towards realizing the rights of all children, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while supporting equitable national development.

Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is a cross-cutting programme strategy in UNICEF that addresses the cognitive, social and structural determinants of change in both development and humanitarian contexts. SBC applies insights from social and behavioural sciences to understand people’s beliefs, values and socio-cultural norms, and to engage them meaningfully in designing solutions for sustainable behavioural and social change. SBC is central to UNICEF’s mandate, with corporate results across sectors linked to social and behavioural practices such as immunization, breastfeeding, hygiene and positive discipline.

UNICEF SBC uses a mix of approaches, including community engagement, strategic communication, applied behavioural science, service delivery improvement, systems strengthening, policy advocacy and social mobilization, to advance child rights, survival, development, protection and participation.

How can you make a difference?

The post is based in Islamabad with regular field travel and reports to the Chief Child Nutrition and Development, with matrix reporting to the Chief SBC. The Specialist will work closely with Nutrition, ECD, SBC, Health, WASH, Gender, Social Protection, and field teams to strengthen implementation of integrated Nutrition and ECD interventions through practical SBC support, community engagement, frontline worker capacity building and use of field feedback to improve programme delivery.

The Social and Behaviour Change Specialist reports to the Chief Child Nutrition and Development for overall guidance and supervision, with matrix reporting to the Chief SBC. Working closely with the Output Managers, the Specialist provides hands-on technical and operational support to translate SBC evidence, strategies and tools into practical, community-facing actions that improve Nutrition and ECD programme implementation with the SBC aspect. The role will work closely with federal and provincial teams, field offices, BISP/BNP structures, UN agencies, health and nutrition service delivery platforms, frontline workers, community groups, caregivers, adolescents, fathers, religious and community leaders, and implementing partners to strengthen the uptake of essential nutrition, nurturing care and positive parenting practices. By listening to communities, understanding the barriers families face, and helping programme teams adapt implementation in real time, the Specialist will support more effective, inclusive and sustained behaviour and social change for children, women, adolescents and families.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD - SBC NO-3.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree is required in nutrition, early childhood development, social and behaviour change, public health, communication for development, behavioural or social sciences, psychology, sociology, anthropology, education or another relevant technical field.
Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience is required in social and behaviour change, nutrition, public health, early childhood development, community engagement, communication for development or applied behavioural science, with demonstrated experience supporting implementation of community-based programmes.
Skills: programme management, monitoring, programme implementation, networking, cross sector integration, social norms strategist.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
Experience translating SBC strategies into practical implementation tools for Nutrition and ECD programmes, including counselling materials, community engagement plans, frontline worker guidance, referral follow-up actions, supervision tools and feedback mechanisms, is highly desirable.
Experience working with frontline workers, caregivers, adolescents, fathers, community and religious leaders, government counterparts and implementing partners to improve nutrition, nurturing care, parenting practices, service uptake and community ownership is an asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency, international development organization or developing-country context is considered an asset.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Social and Behaviour Change Specialist (Nutrition and ECD), NO-3, Fixed Term Position, #00116182 - Islamabad, Pakistan APR