Vacancy Announcement: Social & Behavior Change Specialist, P3, TA, Abuja, Nigeria #137178 (364 days)

Organizational Context

UNICEF Nigeria faces significant challenges in routine immunization coverage, particularly in northern states, due to behavioral and social factors like low caregiver confidence, vaccine hesitancy, and gender dynamics. Humanitarian barriers and urban slum populations further complicate equitable access to immunization services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to service disruptions.

Job Purpose

The Social & Behavior Change Specialist will support the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and State Primary Health Care Boards in Nigeria to address critical immunization coverage gaps. This role is crucial for implementing strategies that overcome behavioral and social barriers influencing vaccine demand and uptake, especially in zero-dose and low-coverage areas. The specialist will contribute to revitalizing community engagement, strengthening demand generation, and ensuring equitable access to immunization services, thereby helping to restore and improve routine childhood immunization coverage post-pandemic and in challenging contexts.

Responsibilities

The Social & Behavior Change Specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring evidence-based social and behavior change strategies to improve immunization coverage and other child health outcomes in Nigeria. This includes conducting formative research to understand behavioral and social determinants of health, developing culturally appropriate communication materials and interventions, and engaging with communities, caregivers, and health workers. The specialist will collaborate closely with government counterparts (FMHSW, NPHCDA, State PHC Boards), other UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations to ensure effective coordination and integration of social and behavior change activities into broader health programs. Key responsibilities will involve strengthening community engagement structures, revitalizing volunteer networks, and advocating for policies that support child health. The role requires monitoring program progress, evaluating impact, and adapting strategies based on data and feedback, particularly in challenging environments including insecure states and urban slums. The specialist will also contribute to capacity building of partners and staff in social and behavior change principles and practices.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in social and behavior change communication, public health programming, or a related field, with experience in immunization or child health programs being an asset.

Skills

Social and Behavior Change Communication, Public Health Programming, Program Design and Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Community Engagement, Stakeholder Coordination, Research and Analysis, Interpersonal Communication, Advocacy, Capacity Building, Report Writing, UNICEF Programmatic Areas

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