Mission and objectives

UNICEF works to promote and protect the rights of every child, with a particular focus on those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. We work with the government to improve national and regional policies, programmes and services for children and adolescents. Together with partners, we address common barriers to the realization of their rights, including social and behavioral. Social and Behavior Change (SBC) is a core strategy to strengthen community engagement, improve service uptake, and influence positive behaviors and social norms that contribute to improved outcomes in areas such as health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social protection. The Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Officer will support the design, coordination, and implementation of SBC strategies and initiatives that promote informed decision-making, strengthen community participation, and support programmatic goals aligned with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Context

The Philippines continues to face development challenges that require integrated approaches combining policy, service delivery, and community engagement. Social and Behavior Change (SBC) plays an important role in addressing barriers related to knowledge, attitudes, social norms, and practices that influence outcomes for children and families. Within UNICEF Philippines, the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Unit provides technical leadership and support to programme sections and partners in designing and implementing evidence-based SBC strategies across priority areas such as health, nutrition, education, child protection, and climate, environment and resilience, and social protection. The Unit also works to strengthen SBC systems and capacities by supporting knowledge generation, workforce development, and integration of SBC in policy, programmes, and learning platforms. In this context, the SBC Officer will support the advancement of the work of the SBC Unit of UNICEF Philippines by contributing to capacity development initiatives, knowledge generation, programme support, and coordination efforts related to SBC. The UN Volunteer will work closely with programme teams, government counterparts, academic institutions, and implementing partners to strengthen the design, implementation, and documentation of SBC initiatives and learning.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of the SBC Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the SBC Officer will: 1. Capacity Development for SBC. Provide technical and coordination support to strengthen SBC capacities of UNICEF staff and partners: • Facilitate the roll-out of bite-sized learning content for partners using existing materials from the SBC Unit. • Assist in organizing and delivering SBC learning sessions for staff and/or partners and coordinate with SBC colleagues, cross-sectoral focal points, and programme teams to identify participants, conduct training needs assessments, and any post-training follow-up. • Assist in administering and analyzing pre- and post-training assessments to track learning outcomes. • Maintain systematic documentation and reporting of capacity development activities, including participation, results, and key insights, to inform continuous improvement of SBC learning initiatives. 2. Technical Support to Programme Sectors. Provide quality technical support to sectoral teams to strengthen the design and implementation of SBC interventions: • Coordinate with programme teams to identify technical support needs and implementation gaps, and provide timely, context-appropriate SBC inputs. • Provide operational and technical support in all phases of the SBC process including evidence generation and use, strategic design, development/adaptation of tools and materials, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and sectoral SBC systems strengthening. • Provide on-site and remote technical assistance to partners to help address implementation challenges. • Support the conduct of SBC quality assurance processes, including review of programme plans, materials, and outputs to ensure alignment with UNICEF SBC standards and guidance. 3. SBC Systems Strengthening and Integration. Support ongoing efforts to institutionalize SBC across policies, programmes, and systems: • Document multi-stakeholder dialogues and engagement activities with government, academe, training institutions, and other relevant partners to support ongoing SBC systems strengthening efforts. • Support the preparation of concept notes, discussion papers, meeting summaries, or action trackers to support policy dialogues and decision-making. • Participate in discussions with academic and non-academic partners and support the integration of SBC into academic and/or professional learning programmes, including the selection of appropriate SBC content and design of learning materials and activities for students. 4. Knowledge Management and Network Engagement. Support knowledge generation, learning, and engagement with SBC networks and communities of practice: • Contribute to the development of knowledge products (e.g., case studies, human interest stories, videos, presentations, research briefs, learning summaries) to document SBC experiences and results. • Assist in preparing technical presentations, abstracts, and materials for conferences, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms, and support participation in these events. • Support the management and dissemination of SBC knowledge products through internal and external platforms, including communities of practice and partner networks. • Support the engagement with national and sub-national SBC networks, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and alignment of approaches. • Regularly update, curate, and organize SBC materials repository, including learning modules, guides, tools, strategic plans, case studies, and human interest stories, to ensure systematic and smooth filing and access. 5. Monitoring, Reporting, and Programme Learning. Support results tracking, reporting, and adaptive learning for SBC: • Contribute to office-wide tracking of SBC results, including consolidation of data and supporting documentation from programme teams. • Assist in preparing SBC mid-year and annual reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation. • Support the analysis of programme data and documentation of lessons learned to inform adaptive programming and continuous improvement of SBC interventions. The UN volunteer is also expected to dedicate part of his/her working time to some of the following: • Strengthen 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.

Competencies and values

Professionalism • Applies deep knowledge of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) approaches, community engagement strategies, and UNICEF programme processes to deliver high-quality technical support. • Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and sound judgment in managing complex tasks and projects. • Balances autonomy with collaboration, adapting guidance to diverse contexts, partners, and programme needs. Integrity • Upholds UNICEF’s ethical standards, acting transparently, honestly, and in the best interest of children and communities. • Maintains impartiality and resists undue influence, ensuring decisions and actions are guided by organizational priorities. • Handles sensitive information responsibly and demonstrates ethical conduct in all engagements. Teamwork and Respect for Diversity • Builds and sustains effective working relationships across teams, sectors, and with external partners. • Values diverse perspectives, cultural contexts, and experiences, promoting inclusion and equitable participation in programme design and implementation. • Demonstrates sensitivity to gender, cultural, social, and professional differences in collaborative settings. Commitment to Continuous Learning • Seeks to expand knowledge of behavioral science, SBC, and programmatic best practices. • Integrates evidence, field experience, and lessons learned to improve programme design and implementation. • Adapts to changing contexts and evolving priorities, demonstrating agility and openness to innovation. Planning and Organizing • Prioritizes, plans, and coordinates multiple initiatives and tasks efficiently, balancing deadlines and resources. • Uses analytical thinking to translate data and insights into actionable recommendations and measurable outcomes. • Monitors progress and contributes to adaptive management to ensure programme effectiveness. Communication • Articulates complex technical concepts, behavioral insights, and recommendations clearly to diverse audiences. • Produces high-quality reports, briefs, and presentations to support decision-making, learning, and advocacy. • Facilitates knowledge sharing, mentoring, and capacity development to strengthen understanding and application of SBC. Flexibility • Demonstrates adaptability in dynamic, multi-sectoral, or challenging operational environments. • Maintains resilience under pressure, adjusting priorities to meet evolving programme and community needs. • Willing to travel and operate in diverse or austere settings to support UNICEF programmes and objectives. Commitment to Volunteerism and UNICEF’s Mission • Embraces the spirit of volunteerism, working with empathy, solidarity, and collaboration with colleagues, partners, and communities. • Actively contributes to UNICEF’s vision and mission, promoting child rights and equitable development outcomes. • Demonstrates dedication to collective goals, fostering shared responsibility and impact beyond individual assignments.

Living conditions and remarks

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living necessities, including utilities and local transportation. The duty station provides access to essential services such as markets, health facilities, and communication networks, depending on the location. National UN Volunteers are covered under the UNV insurance plan. The UN Volunteer is expected to adhere to UNICEF’s security guidelines and protocols and to exercise personal responsibility in ensuring safety and well-being while carrying out assignments. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance, Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for the National UN Volunteer Specialist based in Manila, Philippines; Insurance Coverage; Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.