The Position:

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the leading UN organization in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender Equality and Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Population and Development, is recruiting a Maputo-based Social Behaviour Change and Communications (SBCC) Specialist for the ending GBV initiative “Tolerância Zero! À Violência Baseada no Género” (Tolerância Zero!).

Tolerância Zero! reinforces the European Union and UNFPA’s commitment to gender equality and to support women’s empowerment by engaging with the Government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other key stakeholders (including media and private sector partners) to fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

The programme builds upon the achievements and lessons of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, implemented in Mozambique between 2019 and 2023. In order to achieve the overall objective “To protect women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity from all forms of gender-based violence in the public and private spheres”, the planned initiatives will support the short and medium-term strategies of the Government of Mozambique in an integrated manner, encompassing a continuum of prevention and response to SGBV at central and provincial levels in Manica, Gaza and Maputo.

The programme’s specific objectives are:

1. Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) – Gender-equitable social norms, attitudes, and behaviours are promoted and supported by domesticated/translated laws at the institutional, community and individual levels.

2. Access to quality services – Women and girls who experience violence and harmful practices use available, accessible, and quality essential SGBV services.

3. Women’s movements and civil society organisations (CSO) – Women’s rights groups, social movements and relevant CSOs, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination/marginalisation, more effectively influence and advance progress on ending SGBV.

4. Institutional capacities and data – Strengthened institutional, technical and coordination capacities of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action (MGCAS) and other relevant stakeholders, towards a multidisciplinary and integrated/holistic response to SGBV, relying on quality data.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy-Representative you will report directly to the Gender and Youth Team Leader.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Guided by the UNFPA strategic plan 2022-2025, and the goal of achieving ‘universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for all, and to accelerate implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA), the 10th UNFPA Country Programme (CP) 2022-2026 for Mozambique will accelerate efforts to end maternal mortality, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices across the humanitarian-development-peace continuum.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire and deliver high-impact and sustained results. UNFPA needs staff who are transparent, and exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in Programme results.

Job Purpose:

Working within a Country Office (CO) environment, you will ensure the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of population and development, reproductive health and gender.

Employing your programme management experience, you will oversee the work of the programme team as well as consultants, advisors, and experts. You will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society to address emerging issues, and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate. The SBCC  Specialist will be responsible for the effective management and implementation of the Social Behaviour Change and Communications component of the programme, ensuring alignment with EU and UNFPA guidelines.

This includes: (i) overseeing the implementation of SBCC activities, ensuring strong coordination with implementing partners (IPs), and managing monitoring of results; (ii) leading the establishment and management of the programme’s media network, ensuring synergies with EU-supported media projects and partners; (iii) supervising national communication officers and the execution of the Tolerância Zero! Communication and Visibility plan; (iv) coordinating the production and dissemination of digital and traditional media content, including social media campaigns, radio spots, and Information Education and Communication materials to maximize outreach and impact.

The Specialist must have proven expertise in SBCC, experience with gender-transformative approaches and knowledge of GBV prevention. Experience in media management, communication strategies, and working with diverse stakeholders is essential.

You would be responsible for:

Strategic planning, implementation and coordination of the programme’s SBCC strategy, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Lead the design of the strategy for GBV prevention in alignment with EU and UNFPA guidelines, including the formulation of SBCC related activities through preparation of annual workplans, establish priorities, timelines, targets and standards for monitoring results.
• Provide continuous and timely follow up on implementation of all components of the SBCC intervention, providing constructive ideas for problem solving and ensuring close collaboration with implementing partners for successful project implementation.
• Ensures the implementation and compliance to UNFPA policies, strategies, guidelines and tools, ensuring consistency and coherence in addressing UNFPA priorities as outlined in the Country Programme Document.

Timely and effective management of SBCC related interventions focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Ensure proper management of SBCC project activities in line with the project plan and budget.
• Based on capacity assessments, identify, design, and organize SBCC training materials and opportunities for staff and partners, incorporating new approaches such as behavioral analysis, behavioral insights, human-centered design, social listening, and social accountability mechanisms.
• Support tracking of IP implementation of SBCC activities in line with approved plans and budgets.
• Guide the team in delivering targeted, clear messaging across various platforms to reach diverse audiences, ensuring that communications are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and align with the programme LNOB strategy.
• Identify complex SBCC related issues and immediately escalate sensitive matters to supervisor in an efficient manner to enable action to be addressed promptly.

Foster partnership building and advocacy, focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Lead collaboration efforts to align communication with advocacy and policy objectives, building credible working relations with Governments and partners.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with media outlets, government agencies, civil society, and international stakeholders.
• Develop and institutionalize best practices, facilitating the exchange of experiences and providing technical assistance to enhance the uptake of new SBCC methods and knowledge.
• Support the creation of a media network to promote ethical, survivor-centered reporting and amplify SBCC messages.

Implementation of evidence-based communication strategy: 

• Utilize KAPB surveys and data to inform the development of targeted communication strategies, including digital and traditional media strategies, social media campaigns, human-interest stories, radio spots, and print materials.
• Develop research tools, frameworks and protocols for generating evidence to inform SBCC initiatives and apply tools, methodologies and frameworks for data collection, tracking, monitoring and reporting and disseminating SBCC results.
• Develop project promotion and information materials such as human stories, success stories, articles and work with the communications team to support the substantive design of communication materials intended to raise awareness and advocate for policy changes.
• Coordinate identification of – and reporting on – best practices and lessons learned in line with communications goals and objectives directly linked to the Country Programme and its activities.
• Ensure that a digital library of reference materials, knowledge products, such as communications tools, booklets, fact sheets and photographs of project activities, is established, regularly updated, and documented in a way that is easy for retrieval.
• Provide inputs for briefing notes and other communication products, as required.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor and UNFPA-management.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:  

• Advanced higher degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or another relevant technical field.

Knowledge and experience:

• Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in one or more of the following areas: social and behaviour change, communication for development, public advocacy or another related area.
• Experience in drafting and managing social behaviour change and/ or communication strategies and implementing similar projects.
• Technical knowledge in the areas of GBV, gender, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, child marriage is highly desirable.
• Work experience with Programmes funded by the EU is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing content that communicates humanitarian or development ideas for media, web, print production, and audio-visual productions.
• Proven management experience is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Computer Skills: 

• Proficiency in the latest office software applications, including management of information system(s).
• IT Ability to familiarize with Quantum +, ERP (Atlas), SPSS, PeopleSoft, SAP, GBVIMS, Power BI and other web-based integrated systems.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating Professionalism,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Knowledge sharing/continuous learning,
• Communicating for impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Delivering with a results-based mind-set,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for effective implementation, and results’ mobilisation
• Training and facilitation skills.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Excellent interpersonal skills;Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance,
• Promoting innovation and positive change,
• Ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines,
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance, pension and

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.