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.

And we never give up.

For every child, an advocate

The conflict in Ukraine has created a regional humanitarian crisis. As of 23 November 2022, over 690,000 refugees have entered Moldova since 24 February 2022, with a proportion continuing to Romania, Poland and other countries, and around 100,000 refugees are on Moldovan territory, housed among relatives, in Refugee Accommodation Centres (RACs) and other temporary accommodation. Around 90% of the people arriving in Moldova are women and children. They arrive visibly distressed and heavily affected psychosocially.

The Government of Moldova has declared its readiness to receive tens of thousands of refugees from Ukraine and is cooperating with the UN, local and international organizations to respond to the unfolding crisis. The Government has set up a Crisis Management Centre under the Prime Minister’s Office and a series of emergency accommodation centres are being established to support arrivals from Ukraine. Coordination is ongoing with partners (including new ones that are arriving), to ensure interventions are complementary to the response of the Government.

In this emergency situation, one of the objectives is to ensure access to the critical services and essential supplies, related to the emergency preparedness and response. 

How can you make a difference?

The Social & Behavior Change Officer reports to the Health Specialist, NOC for supervision and works under close guidance of the Social & Behaviour Change Specialist, P3. The Officer provides technical and operational support to the supervisor and internal colleagues by administering, executing and implementing a variety of tasks to promote community engagement and participation, and measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization, requiring the application of technical and theoretical skills and the study of organizational goals, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Support to strategy design and development of S&BC activities Support to implementation of S&BC activities Advocacy, networking and partnership building Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

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

Research and/or participate in conducting comprehensive S&BC situation analysis of social, cultural, economic, communication and political issues in the country/region. 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 Programmes of Cooperation (and UNSDCF). Collect, draft and/or organize materials and related documentations for S&BC strategies and plans (as a component of the CO and/or UNDAF Programmes) to ensure optimum impact, scale and sustainability of achievements/results. Assess and/or recommend appropriate information and materials for S&BC initiatives verifying accuracy and quality for dissemination. Assess the impact of S&BC activities on the CO and UNICEF goals to achieve measureable behavioral and social change resulting in the improvement of children’s rights and wellbeing. Submit qualitative report/synthesis of results for development planning and improvement.

2. Support to the implementation of S&BC activities

Collaborate with internal and external partners to provide operational and technical support to the design of S&BC strategies, and research, develop, test, produce and use quality S&BC materials and/or organize events and activities to ensure maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change of target audience. Provide technical, administrative and logistical support and background materials to carry out S&BC activities and recommend operational strategies, approaches, plans, methods and procedures. Assess and recommend potential contacts, networks, resources and tools to support the maximum impact and outreach of S&BC initiatives. Follow up on 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 plan 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. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

Build and maintain partnerships through networking and proactive collaboration with national and international civil society organizations, 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’s mission and goals for child rights, social equity and inclusiveness. Collaborate with internal global/regional communication partners to harmonize, link and/or coordinate messaging to enhance S&BC outreach and contribution to programmatic outcomes.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Institutionalize/share best practices and knowledge learned/products with global/local partners and stakeholders to build capacity of practitioners/users, and disseminate lessons learned to key audiences including donors and partners. Support the organization, administration and implementation of capacity building initiatives 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 them periodically for improvements and updates.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field. A minimum of one year of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required:  social development programme planning, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area. Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Russian or another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Core Competencies 

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)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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