UNICEF Ethiopia Vacancy 2026 – Social & Behavior Change Specialist
UNICEF EthiopiaUNICEF Ethiopia is hiring a Social & Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist for its health programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position focuses on designing, implementing, monitoring, and scaling evidence-based social and behavior change and community engagement strategies to improve health programme outcomes.
This vacancy is open to Ethiopian nationals only.
Job Summary
- Organization: UNICEF
- Position: Social & Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist
- Job Number: 595897
- Level: NO-3
- Contract Type: Fixed-Term Appointment
- Category: Health
- Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Number of Positions: 1
- Eligible Applicants: Ethiopian nationals
- Deadline: October 5, 2026, East Africa Standard Time
About the Role
The Social & Behavior Change Specialist will provide technical leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring, and scale-up of evidence-based Health Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and community engagement strategies.
The role supports efforts to improve health-seeking behavior, access to and utilization of quality health services, immunization equity, emergency preparedness, and community resilience through behavioral insights, strategic communication, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), and multisectoral collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
- Generate, analyze, and apply evidence related to Health SBC.
- Design, plan, implement, monitor, and scale integrated Health SBC interventions.
- Strengthen community engagement, participation, accountability, and demand for quality health services.
- Support partnerships, coordination, and resource mobilization for Health SBC initiatives.
- Build capacity and systems that support sustainable Health SBC programming.
- Apply behavioral research, social listening, and evidence generation to programme planning.
- Support public health programming, including Primary Health Care (PHC), RMNCAH, and immunization.
- Contribute to RCCE activities in development and humanitarian settings.
- Use monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven approaches to support programme management.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Education
A Master's degree or equivalent advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required:
- Social and behavioral science
- Public health
- Health promotion
- Communication for development
- Social sciences
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Development studies
- International development
- Public policy
- Another relevant field
Work Experience
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as:
- Social and behavior change
- Community engagement
- Risk Communication and Community Engagement
- Health promotion
- Public health programme planning
- Communication for development
- Social mobilization
- Accountability to affected populations
- Related areas
Required Skills
- Design and implementation of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) programmes.
- Community engagement, participation, and social accountability.
- Behavioral research, social listening, and evidence generation.
- Public health programming, including PHC, RMNCAH, and immunization.
- RCCE in development and humanitarian settings.
- Monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven programme management.
- Strong partnership and collaboration skills.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
- Ability to work effectively in complex and changing environments.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another official UN language—Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish—or a local language is an asset.
Desirable Experience
The following are considered assets:
- Experience designing, implementing, monitoring, or evaluating SBC and community engagement interventions related to PHC, RMNCAH, immunization, health emergencies, outbreak response, or community health systems.
- Experience working in humanitarian, fragile, pastoralist, hard-to-reach, or underserved settings.
- Experience with a UN system agency or organization.
- Country-level experience in development, fragile, or humanitarian contexts.
UNICEF Competencies
The position requires the ability to:
- Build and maintain partnerships.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and ethical awareness.
- Drive results and impact.
- Innovate and embrace change.
- Manage ambiguity and complexity.
- Think and act strategically.
- Work collaboratively with others.
Important Information
- This position is for Ethiopian nationals only.
- Eligible and suitable female applicants are encouraged to apply.
- UNICEF does not charge any processing or recruitment fee at any stage.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage.
- Selected candidates are subject to applicable reference, background, academic credential, and employment-history checks.
- UNICEF appointments are subject to applicable medical clearance and other stated appointment requirements.
- Government employees considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment.
- National Officer positions do not include UNICEF-facilitated visa and work authorization.
Application Deadline
October 5, 2026 – East Africa Standard Time
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official UNICEF recruitment system:
Job Number: 595897
Applicants should review the complete job description provided with the vacancy before applying.
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