• This vacancy is restricted to internal applicants; only individuals currently employed by UNICEF Pakistan and who have received a unique candidate number via email are eligible to apply.

• The primary responsibility is to develop and maintain strategic partnerships at district level with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders, towards implementing qualitative and effective Social & Behavioral Change & Communications (SBCC) interventions to sustain and regain community trust and acceptance of Polio vaccines and other Immunization vaccines. The goal is to contribute towards achieving Polio Eradication while sustaining and improving routine Immunization services (EPI) and other health interventions including ISD (where applicable) through improved and sustained community demand. 

• To develop tailored SBCC strategies, in coordination with DEOC team, towards achieving PEI and EPI strengthening in assigned area of work and share updates with the DEOC on SBCC interventions. 

• Identify, line lists and strategically engage with key stakeholders/Community Influencers such as Religious and Tribal leaders, Media practitioners, Teachers, Youth and women leaders and groups etc., to promote and sustain advocacy support and active community participation for Polio Eradication and broader Immunization   agenda.

• Establish, maintain partnerships and advocate with government officials and line departments such as Health, Education, WASH, CP, Sports etc and civil society organizations (CSOs), to ensure their continued support towards Polio Eradication and broader health & Immunization strengthening 

• Conduct regular analysis on PEI data related to SBCC, and apply such information to improve and sustain the quality of the SBCC intervention at different levels within the district

• Ensure that required IEC materials are requested on time from the Advocacy and Communications Officer (ACO).  

• Organize, facilitate and participate in advocacy events, such as public gatherings, roundtable discussions, and other stakeholder community engagement forums promote the PEI and EPI agenda.

• Supportive supervision visits to COMNet (SBCC) teams in the district ensure that the resources are put to best use towards advancing the PEI agenda and strengthening of EPI.

• Plan and facilitate in capacity building exercises for COMNet (SBCC) team 

• Collaborate with other team members at DEOC to develop and implement SBCC strategies towards achieving PEI and EPI strengthening.

• Share updates with the District Health team and DEOC on SBCC interventions and ensure contributions of SBCC within the broader PEI and EPI are well documented and reported

• Facilitate and support pre-campaign training of Frontline Workers (FLWs) focusing on their IPC skills and golden triangle while ensuring timely distribution of communication and IEC materials

• Identify and report any SBCC-related challenges at district-level coordination meetings and suggest and implement impactful solutions 

• Support the district/DEOC in the development and implementation of a district-level crisis communication plan

• Support the district in aversion/resolution of the boycotts (if any) using the guidance outlined in the boycott framework. 

• Support the district in addressing fake finger marking cases using guidance of FFM framework

• Conduct monitoring and supervision of routine immunization activities.

• Any other task assigned by the direct supervisor. 

KPIs:

• Reduce (in assigned area of work) the Still Missed Children (SMC) by 20% every campaign as compared to the previous campaign until benchmark of 5% or less of still missed children against recorded is achieved.

• Percentage of PMC covered in last SIA (Benchmark at least 5%) in assigned area of work.

• Monitor and report at least 10% of budgeted and 5% of non-budgeted CE activities at UC area levels

• Proportion of EPI monitoring and supervisory visits held (planned vs conducted) in line with PEI-EPI synergy approved plan.

• Proportion of boycotts averted and resolved (where applicable) (benchmark aversion: >=60%, resolution: >=90%

• Number of Advocacy meetings (including those at district level) , community engagement meetings held (Planned vs conducted)

• Number of planned vs conducted monitoring and supportive supervision visits for COMNet (SBCC) team

• Timeliness, completeness and quality of plans and reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) and other mission/field visits reports and sharing with concerned including DEOC.

To the:

• First line Officer: Advocacy & Communication Officer

• Second line Officer: Social & Behaviour Change Officer - UNICEF

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Graduate) preferably in mass communications and journalism, social sciences, or public health/medicine with a minimum of 6 years’ work experience with a focus on strategic advocacy, in implementation of community engagement & community mobilization projects. 

• Proven experience of leading and motivating diverse team  

• Proven experience in achieving results in a complex and challenging environment within timeline 

• Experience working with communities, preferably in a public health context, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain community trust.

• Capacity to develop narrative and strategic implementation with good skills of presentation (ppt) at all levels  

• Knowledge of local languages and customs, as well as cultural and political dynamics that impact immunization programs, is an advantage.

Skills:

• Relationship-building: The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Communication: The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to adapt communication style to different audiences and contexts.

• Strategic thinking: The ability to think strategically and develop advocacy strategies and plans that align with the organization's goals and objectives.

• Analytical skills: The ability to conduct research and analysis on key policy issues and to use data to inform advocacy strategies and tactics.

• Negotiation: The ability to negotiate effectively with stakeholders to achieve the organization's advocacy objectives.

• Collaboration: The ability to work collaboratively with other team members and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and objectives.

• Leadership: The ability to lead advocacy efforts and to motivate and inspire others to support the organization's advocacy agenda.

• Cultural awareness: The ability to work effectively across cultural boundaries and to understand and appreciate the perspectives and values of different cultures.

• Digital literacy: The ability to use digital tools and platforms to support advocacy efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and online advocacy campaigns.

• Supervision: Ability to train, supervise and provide technical support to CBOs.

• This role has no team management responsibility.

• This vacancy is restricted to internal applicants; only individuals currently employed by UNICEF Pakistan and who have received a unique candidate number via email are eligible to apply.