SBC Officer (Social Scientist & Anthropologist)

Job Purpose:

The SBC Officer (Social Scientist / Anthropologist) is responsible for conducting desk research on cultural norms, customs, and behavioral drivers of the key target populations. Through engagement with and participation of stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners, and government counterparts, the Social Scientist undertakes field research and observations to understand how the program can refine its campaign strategies to improve polio acceptance. This subsequently contributes to polio campaign efforts in reducing missed children towards the achievement of Polio eradication in Pakistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Led the design and implementation of research studies on social-cultural norms and behavioral drivers of the key populations in the polio high-risk areas

Conduct a comprehensive situation analysis of social, cultural, communication, economic and political issues affecting vaccine acceptance in the key polio high risk areas and Polio reservoirs.

Collaborate/consult with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, e.g., academia, research and implementing organizations, to identify and maintain partnerships on available research, studies, and documentation related to key Polio target groups to harmonize evidence related to behavioral drivers, barriers, and health practices and choices.

Analyze data and produce periodic SBC briefs on anthropological data, AAP and community feedback data, and media/social media analysis for the SBC Section

SBC briefs produced as per the analysis and recommendations provided to UNICEF and its partners to address programming challenges.

Technical oversight of social and anthropological researchers in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

Provide technical guidance and support to design, implement, and evaluate SBC strategies/plans and programs in Pakistan

Technical guidance on SBC strategies/plans, campaigns, advocacy, policies, guidelines, and tools, so that these are designed and implemented based on available evidence and best practices, and that are assessed for effectiveness, relevance, and efficiency, particularly in the context of the rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape of South KP.

Conduct field research including ethnography

Collaborate with internal partners and external partners to design and conduct continuous ethnographic studies in key population groups to augment existing evidence and validate program strategies.

Carry out comprehensive analysis and reporting on all ethnographic field research using standard anthropological methodologies.

Support on social data collection for Polio social data needs

Produce social profiles of the key populations

Produce social profiles of key target populations based on comprehensive situation analysis and field research in formats that can be aligned to existing data for decision making tools (e.g., UC profiles)

Document recommendations for evidence-based strategies, approaches, in support of programs/projects implementation and delivery of results.

Compile social data for Polio program as requested

Participate /collaborate to ensure effective integration of SBC strategies across Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, and Social Protection programs

Integration Health, Nutrition, WASH, Education, Child Protection, and Social Protection programs, especially in SBC section, through participation in UNICEF meetings and disseminations.

Build the capacity of UNICEF staff, partners, and stakeholders in the application of social and behavioral science principles and methodologies for the development and implementation of SBC programs