UNICEF: Social & Behavior Change Assistant – Islamabad

UNICEF is seeking a Social & Behavior Change Assistant in Islamabad, Pakistan, to support the coordination of the UN SBC Technical Working Group. This role involves promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of strategies aimed at improving children's rights and welfare in Pakistan. The assistant will facilitate communication among stakeholders and contribute to the operationalization of the SBC action plan aligned with national priorities and SDGs.
Organization Mission
Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.


UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among others things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.


In particular, UNICEF will work so that:


Every child survives and thrives — being in good health, immunised, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.

Every child learns.

Every child is protected from violence and exploitation, and registered at birth.

Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.


Context
Within this framework, the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) expert will play a pivotal role in supporting the effective coordination and operationalization of the UN SBC Technical Working Group and National Community of Practice’s work, as guided by the charter and its action plan.


This UNV assignment will contribute to strengthening a “future-fit UN system” by supporting the five signature enablers, including data, innovation, strategic foresight, behavioral science, and results orientation within Pakistan’s social and behavior change ecosystem. The role will help embed UN 2.0-aligned ways of working across the SBC Community of Practice by promoting evidence-driven collaboration, digital knowledge sharing, co-creation with partners, and the systematic use of behavioral insights for policy and program design. By facilitating integrated UN coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement, the UNV will reinforce the UN 2.0 emphasis on agility, transparency, and collective action to accelerate progress toward national priorities and the SDGs.


This includes facilitating regular communication and collaboration among CoP members, ensuring that meetings are well-organized and documented, and assisting in the implementation and tracking of the CoP’s annual workplan and collective actions.


Furthermore, the UNV will help promote knowledge exchange, capacity strengthening, and the systematic documentation and dissemination of good practices, thereby reinforcing the Charter’s commitment to transparency and shared learning across the SBC community.


Key Responsibilities
UNICEF Pakistan works collaboratively with the Government of Pakistan and various partners to further the realization of children”s rights, encompassing their survival, growth, protection, development, and participation. The Social & Behavior Change (SBC) section spearheads evidence-driven strategies for social and behavior change, focusing on community engagement, capacity building, and risk communication to overcome obstacles and foster UN 2.0 transformation agenda.


In 2026, UNICEF assumes the leadership of the national SBC Community of Practice (CoP), a multi-sectoral platform established under the guidance of the SBC Community of Practice Charter. The CoP brings together representatives from the United Nations, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia, with the aim of fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and driving innovation in social and behavioral change interventions across Pakistan. The Charter outlines the principles, governance structure, and operational guidelines for the CoP, emphasizing inclusivity, evidence-based action, and joint ownership of outcomes.


The UNV will be responsible for the following:


• Support coordination and day-to-day functioning of the UN SBC Technical Working Group and SBC CoP (meetings, follow-up, documentation).

• Assist in implementing the annual workplan and tracking agreed actions.

• Facilitate coordination among SBC focal points to promote coherence and joint SBC initiatives.

• Support engagement with SBC Think Tank, CSOs, Academia, and Private sector partners.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing, learning sessions, and documentation of good SBC practices. Ensure documentation is systematically prepared and shared across team members.

• Support basic monitoring, reporting, and visibility of CoP outputs.

• Maintain calendar for major events and deadlines.

• Draft internal communication notes and partner updates on progress or upcoming activities. The role also involves tracking action points from key stakeholder meetings, liaising with government and partners for scheduling and updates, and facilitating internal communication across UNICEF sectors.

• Support development of infographics, briefs and short updates for advocacy and knowledge sharing.


Required Skills and Experience
• Experience in coordination, SBC, or multi-stakeholder platforms.

• Strong facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.

• Familiarity with Pakistan’s social norms and community systems preferred


Core Competencies
• Accountability

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Creativity

• Judgement and decision-making

• Planning and organising

• Professionalism

• Self-management


Living Conditions
As this is a national UNV assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

UNV Field Unit will help you open a Pak rupee bank account with Standard Chartered Bank or any other local bank at your duty station.


Assignment remarks:

This is a national UNV assignment, and a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of PKR 105,097 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.