Consultancy to Support the Domestication and Validation of the Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy for Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. In Nigeria, UNICEF operates in a complex humanitarian and development setting, partnering with the government and civil society to protect children's rights. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest country offices globally.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the adaptation, domestication, and validation of the national Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy for effective implementation in Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria. The assignment will ensure the strategy reflects state-specific nutrition priorities, socio-cultural contexts, and humanitarian realities through inclusive stakeholder consultations. The main focus will be on the specific nutrition challenges, behaviours, cultural norms, conflict dynamics, and service delivery realities of Borno and Yobe States, where malnutrition remains a severe public health concern. This process ensures that national priorities are translated into practical, context-appropriate actions that respond to the realities of communities in these states. A core component is participatory validation through structured technical consultations and stakeholder engagements involving state ministries, local government authorities, community representatives, implementing partners, and humanitarian actors to ensure the strategy is realistic, implementable, and genuinely owned at the state level, thereby strengthening accountability and long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

Support the adaptation and domestication of the national Nutrition SBC Strategy for Borno and Yobe States. Conduct thorough analysis of state-specific nutrition priorities, socio-cultural contexts, and humanitarian realities in Borno and Yobe. Facilitate inclusive stakeholder consultations with government ministries, local authorities, community representatives, implementing partners, and humanitarian actors. Organize and conduct participatory validation workshops to ensure the strategy is realistic, implementable, and owned at the state level. Develop a validated, state-owned Nutrition SBC Strategy document for Borno and Yobe States. Ensure the strategy addresses specific nutrition challenges, behaviours, cultural norms, conflict dynamics, and service delivery realities in the target states. Strengthen accountability and long-term sustainability of nutrition programming through effective strategy implementation. Improve the quality and coordination of nutrition SBC interventions in Borno and Yobe States. Prepare and submit regular progress reports on the consultancy assignment. Finalize and submit the validated Nutrition SBC Strategy document and a comprehensive consultancy report.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, social and behaviour change communication, or a related field. Experience working in humanitarian or complex emergency settings is desirable. Experience in Nigeria, particularly in Borno and Yobe States, is an asset.

Skills

Nutrition, Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBC), Strategy Development, Stakeholder Consultation, Participatory Validation, Public Health, Humanitarian Response, Project Management, Report Writing, Data Analysis, Community Engagement, Contextual Analysis

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