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General Information

Publication for
Partner
Partner Name
UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund
Position Title
SBC Specialist (Nutrition & ECD)
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Islamabad
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 09
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 9
Posting Start Date
11-Mar-2026
Posting End Date
17-Mar-2026
Duration
4 months

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to UNICEF Pakistan's efforts in achieving child-sensitive SDGs through effective SBC strategies. The position offers a chance to work on impactful programs related to nutrition and early childhood development, collaborate with various stakeholders, and contribute to knowledge management in the field of SBC.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

About the Project Office

Since 1999, UNOPS has been a committed partner in Pakistan, supporting the country’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS focuses on delivering essential services, including strengthening health systems, expanding access to WASH facilities in remote areas, and improving infrastructure for schools and communities. We also support emergency response efforts, delivering critical medical supplies and essential services during times of crisis. Through close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, development partners, donors, and UN agencies, UNOPS works to build resilient, sustainable communities. Leveraging expertise in project management, procurement, human resources, and infrastructure, we provide tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and maximize development impact.

Job Specific Context

The Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist will provide technical and operational support in the implementation of a systematic, planned, and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of program development, planning, and implementation to promote measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization. The SBC Specialist is specifically desired to design, implement, and quality assure social & behaviours change communication, engagement, empowerment, and participation of stakeholders, partners, participants, communities, and civil society.

Role Purpose

The SBC Specialist will provide technical and operational support in the implementation of a systematic, planned, and evidence-based strategy and process for SBC as an integral part of program development, planning, and implementation to promote measurable behavioral and social change/mobilization.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Advocacy and Support for Strategic SBC Interventions

  • Advocate, guide and support the implementation of strategic SBC interventions for Nutrition and Universal ECD Programming, coverage, and implementation, including the scale up positive parenting packages.
  • Support Nutrition & ECD Advocacy for inclusion of Nutrition and ECD in the health & Social protection SBC Strategies, plans, and programs.
  • Support orientation/training of managers, front-line workers, and community structures established by various actions (working in Health, Education, WASH, Polio) on SBC for nutrition and Parenting for ECD.
  • Support to partnership development with CSOs, networks, and alliances to support the rollout /scale up of SBC for Nutrition and ECD KFCP across the sectors.
  • Guide engagement of social and religious leaders for promotion of key family care practices – Parenting using Religious Networks.
  • Support celebration of global breastfeeding, world food day, parenting month and other sectoral events


2. Community Engagement in Development and Humanitarian Context

  • Guide formation, strengthening and engagement of community platforms including mother to mother and father to father support groups, committees, and village organizations.
  • Support participation of communities in community-based interactive interventions, including street theaters and fold events for promotion of Maternal, Adolescent, and Young Child Feeding and Care practices.


3. Development, Analysis, & Use of SBC Evidence and Applied Behavior Science

  • Support conception, programming, and completion baseline to understand behavioral drivers, cultural norms and religious belief related to Maternal Infant & Young Child Feeding and Care Practices in BISP supported 26 districts.
  • Technically support rapid and short digital assessment to understand knowledge, motivation and behaviors related to MIYCF and Care Practices.
  • Use social anthropological findings from the field for designing and course correction of SBC interventions, materials, and trainings on MIYCN and care practices.


4. Guidance on SBC Innovations, Technology for Development, Knowledge Management, Mass and Social Media and Communication Material

  • Support the integration of up-to-date Artificial Intelligence tools and methods into existing digital interventions and platforms (helpline, chatbot, I-Hear U, IoGT) and these for the collection of insights, inputs related to MAIYCN and Care Practices.


5. Effective Management and SBC Leadership for Nutrition

  • Collaboration with other sections and participation in SBC meetings/forums
  • Coordination of SBC focal points in provinces on Nutrition, MAIYCN and Parenting package
  • Knowledge management for SBC and MAIYCN.

Skills

Behavior Modification, Community Engagement, Knowledge Management, Nutrition, Program Management, Project Planning, Social Research, Stakeholder Management, Training
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Sociology, Social & Behavioral Science, Anthropology, Psychology, Education, Communication, Public Health, and Nutrition Communication or related fields with 4 years of relevant experience OR

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience is required

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant work experience in the areas of Social & Behavioral Change, Social Development, Programme Planning, Communication for Development, Resource Mobilization, Strategy Design or related areas. 


Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
UrduFluentDesirable

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.