Social and Behaviour Change Specialist for Emergency Response

Host entity: UNICEF

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 10/09/2026

Mission and objectives

About us

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. It is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in 191 countries through country programmes and National Committees.

What We Do

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in South Sudan

Assignment context

UNICEF works in South Sudan to protect and promote the rights of every child, with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable children, adolescents, families and communities affected by conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks, food insecurity, climate-related shocks and other humanitarian emergencies. UNICEF supports the Government of South Sudan and partners to deliver integrated programmes in health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection, social policy, and social and behaviour change.

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF South Sudan’s emergency preparedness and response work, supporting risk communication and community engagement, social listening, accountability to affected populations, rumour management, and community-led behaviour change interventions. The assignment will contribute to timely, evidence-informed and inclusive SBC support for emergency response priorities, including disease outbreaks, population displacement, floods and other humanitarian shocks, in close collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society organizations, community structures, youth and women’s groups, and affected populations.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Social and Behaviour Change or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Social and Behaviour Change Specialist for Emergency Response will:

• Support the design, implementation, monitoring and documentation of Social and Behaviour Change, Risk Communication and Community Engagement interventions for emergency preparedness and response, including disease outbreaks, floods, displacement and other humanitarian situations.
• Provide technical support to emergency response teams and field offices to ensure community engagement approaches are evidence-based, participatory, inclusive, conflict-sensitive and aligned with UNICEF standards and government priorities.
• Coordinate with partners for the design, development, collection, analysis and use of behavioural evidences including community feedback, rumours, questions, perceptions and social listening data to inform programme decisions, messaging, service delivery and response planning.
• Develop and adapt evidence based emergency communication materials, key messages, community engagement tools, facilitation guides and partner briefs in collaboration with technical sectors, government counterparts and implementing partners.
• Support the activation and strengthening of community engagement platforms, networks including community mobilizers, religious leaders, youth groups, women’s groups, local authorities, schools, health facilities and other trusted community structures.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness plans, contingency plans, rapid assessments, response strategies, after-action reviews and situation reports by providing SBC insights and community feedback inputs.
• Facilitate capacity development for UNICEF staff, government counterparts, implementing partners and community actors on SBC in emergencies, RCCE, AAP, interpersonal communication, rumour tracking, social listening and community feedback mechanisms.
• Support monitoring, reporting and documentation of SBC & AAP in emergency response results, lessons learned, human-interest stories, field updates and good practices.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their 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.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF South Sudan team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality technical support is rendered to UNICEF, government counterparts, implementing partners and affected communities in the accomplishment of the assignment, including:
Expected results and outputs will include strengthened emergency SBC coordination, improved mainstreaming of AAP in humanitarian action, use of community feedback and social listening evidence, timely production of evidence based communication and engagement materials, enhanced capacity of partners and community actors, and systematic documentation of progress, lessons learned and results.
o Emergency SBC/RCCE plans, tools, messages and partner guidance developed, updated and used to support preparedness and response activities.
o Community feedback, rumours and social listening insights are regularly analysed and shared to inform programme decisions and corrective action.
o Government counterparts, implementing partners and community structures have improved capacity to deliver inclusive, accountable and community-centred emergency response interventions.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Skills and experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional work experience at national and/or international level in SBC, RCCE, AAP, emergency preparedness and response, humanitarian coordination, community engagement or public health promotion.
• Experience supporting emergency response operations, including disease outbreaks, displacement, floods or other humanitarian crises, is required; experience in South Sudan or similar fragile and conflict-affected settings is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to develop SBC strategies, communication plans, key messages, community engagement tools, training materials, monitoring frameworks and donor/reporting inputs.
• Strong understanding of social listening, rumour tracking, community feedback mechanisms, behavioural insights, participatory approaches, gender equality, disability inclusion and accountability to affected populations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete)
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in child rights, emergency response, community engagement, social and behaviour change, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions

Juba is the capital city of South Sudan and serves as the main duty station for UNICEF South Sudan Country Office. Living conditions vary and require adaptability, security awareness and compliance with all United Nations security procedures. Basic services, telecommunications, banking facilities, health services, markets and accommodation options are available in Juba, although costs can be high and service reliability may vary. Field travel may be required to locations affected by emergencies, where living and working conditions may be difficult, access may be constrained, and security conditions may change rapidly. The UN Volunteer must comply with UNDSS security guidance, complete mandatory security trainings and observe UNICEF and UN duty of care requirements at all times.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.