Internship - Social & Behavior Change
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in challenging environments globally, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We strive to create a better world for every child, everywhere, every day, demonstrating unwavering commitment and resilience in our mission.
Job Purpose
This internship within UNICEF Sri Lanka's Social & Behavior Change (SBC) team offers short-term support to a critical cross-cutting program strategy. SBC analyzes and addresses the cognitive, social, and structural factors influencing individual practices and societal changes in both development and humanitarian contexts. By leveraging social and behavioral sciences, the program seeks to understand people's beliefs, values, socio-cultural norms, and their economic and institutional environments to foster engagement and empower communities in designing solutions for change. The role also contributes to UNICEF's Accountability to Affected People (AAP) initiative, promoting people-centered approaches in humanitarian responses through coordination, capacity building, and ensuring community voices inform decision-making.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Social & Behavior Change (SBC) Officer, the intern will support the design and dissemination of timely, relevant, and actionable information to communities, strengthening meaningful community participation. Key responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of the AAP Working Group, supporting partner capacity building, and monitoring progress. The intern will contribute to generating and utilizing SBC evidence, data, and assessments for response, recovery, and resilience efforts. They will participate in programme monitoring exercises, providing recommendations for necessary revisions. Additionally, the intern will offer technical and administrative support for the development, implementation, and monitoring of evidence-based SBC strategies and activities, identifying, documenting, and disseminating best practices and innovative approaches. Collaboration with influencers for SBC implementation in humanitarian and development actions will be fostered, alongside providing flexible support for emergent SBC/AAP-related needs during the assignment.
Work Experience
A minimum of one year of professional experience in social development program planning, communication for development, social and behavior change, public advocacy, or a related area is required. Prior experience in strengthening community structures and platforms, specifically ensuring Accountability to Affected People (AAP), is also necessary.
Skills
Excellent oral and interpersonal skills, Culturally and socially sensitive, Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively, Self-motivated, Ability to work with minimum supervision, Ability to work with tight deadlines, Accuracy and professionalism in documentation, Ability to work effectively in a challenging environment, Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team, Experience with UN (asset), Leadership in child/youth/CSO movements (asset)