UNV Expert – SBC Data for Action and Digital approach

Mission and objectivesUNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation. UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future. We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

ContextSocial and Behaviour Change (SBC) stands out in the Nepal Country Programme Action Plan 2023-27 with a critical role as a Change Strategy to catalyse the Cross-Sectorial integration to contribute to a Structural and integrated Social Change by supporting the Nepal Country Program (CPD/CPAP 2023-2027) goals on Nutrition, Health, Education, Child Protection, WASH and Social Protection and SDGs 2,3,4,5,6,10,11 & 16. SBC+ comprises Social and Behaviour Change, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP). The vision of UNICEF Nepal Country Office is to contribute to accelerating Social Change by building an SBC+ Sectoral system supported by three Strategic Pillars: 1. Data for Action (SBC+ Evidence Generation); 2. Capacity Building; 3. SBC+ system-supported Coordination. SBC+ aims as facilitate the programme integration, building the effective bridge between knowledge, behaviours, and impacts (including cost of inaction) to effectively contribute to the structural and social transformation agenda in Nepal, impacting public policies and institutional services, community-led structures, and individual behaviours. As Nepal transitions into a Developing Country, UNICEF will reinforce its role as a technical expert in SBC+ for the government. SBC+ will focus on sectoral and institutional support to strengthen systems by empowering communities, boosting participation, scaling community-based communication and foster supportive environments for social norms shift and positive behaviours, while advocating for SBC's budgeted plans, thereby contributing to sectoral outcomes, emergency responses, and resilience. Thus, Demand of SBC+ innovative capacities are ascent towards supporting humanitarian needs, increasing emergencies and accelerating the progress of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. This assignment focuses on strengthening the SBC+ Sectoral system’s Strategic Pillar 1. Data for Action (SBC+ Evidence Generation); while supporting Pillars 2. Capacity Building and 3. SBC+ system-supported Coordination with emphasis in SBC Digital Approach, identified as one of the SBC priority approaches in the SBC theory of Change for Nepal and supported by the Digital Mapping for Nepal conducted by the SBC Regional team in 2024. The Data for Action pillars seek to increase evidence-bases and people-centered integrated programming through a systematic support of approaches such as Behaviour Science Research and mechanisms such as digital engagement ecosystem and social and community listening, while supporting innovations that drive government and stakeholders’ ownership, sustainability, and impact. The UNV Expert – SBC Data for Action and Digital approach will lead Behavioural Science qualitative and quantitative research and data collection, monitory, evaluation and results reporting, while facilitating partnerships management, and supporting programming implementation, and resource mobilization to deliver transformative change across sectors. This role presents an opportunity to lead innovative digital engagement strategies and evidence-based SBC programming, driving impactful change for children and communities in Nepal.

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the Chief SBC Nepal Country Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Expert – SBC Data for Action and Digital approach will add value to the SBC Section and UNICEF Nepal in the following areas: 1. Behaviour Science qualitative and quantitative research and data collection • Apply behavioural insights and human-centered design approach in social and behavioural research, ensuring active participation of target groups in program ideation and implementation. • Conduct Behavioural and social drivers (BeSD) research to explore social drivers of behaviours and norms, generating actionable evidence to inform SBC strategies. • Develop practical guidelines and tools to embed user-centric approaches for integrating behaviour science into government, UNICEF and partner programming. • Foster partnerships with research institutions, academia, and civil society to enhance knowledge exchange and co-create evidence-based solutions. 2. SBC Digital approach: Digital Community Engagement Ecosystem • Design, implement, and oversee UNICEF Nepal’s digital engagement strategies to drive SBC, ensuring alignment with the SBC Strategic Plan. • Lead digital innovation initiatives, including U-Report, Internet of Good Things (IoGT), social and community listening, and other community engagement platforms. • Scale and institutionalize digital innovations to ensure government ownership, sustainability, and open-source development. • Strengthen digital inclusion by expanding SBC resources through digital platforms in collaboration with government and partners. 3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results Reporting • Lead results reporting for SBC, ensuring quality documentation of progress, challenges, and lessons learned, and impact of program. • Develop and maintain comprehensive monitoring frameworks, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms to track SBC outcomes (e.g., periodic reports, Results Assessment Module [RAM], Core Standard Indicators [CSI], UNINFO, donor reports), in platforms such as eTools and Insight. • Establish system-based reporting mechanisms to support continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive programming. • Ensure robust data validation, quality assurance, and alignment with national and global reporting frameworks, including the SDGs and UNICEF Strategic Plan. 4. Public and Private Partnerships • Support the implementation of UNICEF Nepal's SBC work plan by strengthening partnerships with public and private sector entities. • Facilitate collaboration with government agencies, development partners, and corporate stakeholders to drive SBC initiatives. • Contribute to developing partnership frameworks, agreements, and reporting structures, ensuring compliance with UNICEF policies. 5. Program Implementation Support • Provide strategic and technical support to SBC program implementation, ensuring alignment with evidence-based approaches. • Assist in integrating digital solutions, social listening, and behavioural insights into UNICEF’s broader SBC programming. • Enhance the scalability and sustainability of SBC interventions by embedding them within national systems and policies.

Competencies and values• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Living conditions and remarksThe UNV will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal and will be provided with a desk and workspace. Upon initiating the assignment, the UNV is expected to work five days a week (Monday to Friday) at UNICEF Premises located in UN House, Pulchowk. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance 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. Nepal is nestled in South Asia between India and the Tibetan region of China. Its stunning views of the Himalayan range attract people from around the world, particularly to locally called “Sagarmantha” or Mount Everest. Nepal can be divided into four distinct regions. From north to south they are: (a) the Himalayan range with an altitude of over 5,000 m including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali), 8,848 m; (b) the hills at an altitude of 500 to 5,000 mt. with long terraced slopes leading to fertile valleys such as Kathmandu and Pokhara; (c) the Inner Terrai with its low river valleys; and (d) the fertile Outer Terai between 180 and 350m. The Himalayan range accounts for a third of the total land area whereas the Hills and the Terai occupy roughly 45 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. Nepal moved from a monarchy to a parliamentary democracy in 1951. The country was strife with civil war in the 1990s and early 2000s and ultimately replaced the world’s last Hindu monarchy with a secular government in 2008. The 2018 new constitution shifted powers from the centralized parliament in Kathmandu to its seven provinces as the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese people, also referred Nepali, are a diverse mix of over 125 ethnic groups with almost as many languages between them. They are deeply spiritual, and the practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and other indigenous and folk religions have left their mark on their customs and festivals. Nepal has four distinct seasons that vary according to its region. Spring is warm with rain showers and temperatures around 22°C, lasting from March to May. Summer is the monsoon season and lasts from June to August/September, with temperatures in the low 30’s°C in the day and about 20°C at night. Rain is rare and scattered outside of this season. Autumn is the season that attracts most tourists interested in trekking. September to November is cool with clear skies with average daily temperatures of 25°C and cool nights as low as 10°C. The winter months of December to February get cold and may have sub-zero °C temperatures, although maximum temperatures can rise to 20°C. The climate in Kathmandu is agreeable and people eat outside most of the year. Nepal, including Kathmandu is generally safe, including for families and solo female travellers. Crime is low; however petty theft is a risk like anywhere. The Nepalese are known for being friendly and helpful towards foreign travellers. While it is generally fine to walk at night, be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when doing so, especially in urban areas.