Mission and objectivesFor 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence and exploitation. UNICEF believes that all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfil their potential โ to the benefit of a better world. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
ContextSocial and Behaviour Change (SBC) is a core change strategy within UNICEFโs mandate to advance the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. SBC programming places communities at the centre, focusing on social and behavioural drivers that shape positive outcomes for children, families and communities to advance SDGs. This emphasis on community engagement and local ownership was elevated in UNICEFโs Strategy Plan 2022-25, placing critical importance on evidence-based, adaptive approaches to achieving social change. Within this framework, Social and Community Listening (SCL) is closely linked with Misinformation Management and has become an essential capability for UNICEFโs teams. Social and Community listening is a continuous process of monitoring, collecting, and analyzing data emerging from views, perceptions and opinions of the public conversation and debate, both online and offline, including identifying trends, social norms, myths, rumors, misinformation and disinformation. When applied effectively, SCL strengthens UNICEFโs ability to prevent the harmful impacts of mis-and-disinformation, correct false beliefs, tailor behavioural interventions to community needs and support timely, accurate and credible communication. In response to growing demand, during 2023 and 2024, UNICEF Regional Office South Asia (ROSA) Social and Behaviour Change developed an open-access, near real-time social listening platform that utilizes AI to categorize data and provide insights, called I-HEAR-U. Now transitioning into a global good, I HEAR U enables Country Offices (COs) across regions to track and monitor the โlisteningโ: see the trends, sentiment and shifts, track misinformation and disinformation, identify influencers and emerging topics or conversations of concern to inform programming across health, immunization, child protection, gender, social cohesion and accountability to affected populations. This UN Volunteer assignment is part of the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) unit within UNICEFโs Programme Group, where the UNV will play a key role in supporting the scale-up, utilization and implementation of I HEAR U, strengthening country-level capacity, facilitating effective use of insights in programming and contributing of social and community listening as a structured, practical and impactful function across UNICEF.
Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of the I HEAR U Manager and SBC Digital Engagement Specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and in close collaboration with all SBC team members in HQ, COs and programme sections, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support the scale-up and continuous improvement of I HEAR U as a core UNICEF Social and Community Listening platform. a. Support the rollout, adoption and scale-up of i HEAR U across UNICEF Country Offices, ensuring its use is aligned with SBC and UNICEF programming priorities and contributes to evidence-informed decision making at scale. b. Provide coordination and implementation support to onboard Country Office and Regional Office teams. c. Support the documentation and consolidation of user feedback, functional needs and operational challenges from Country Offices and Regional Offices (ROs), ensuring these are clearly synthesized and shared with relevant internal stakeholders and technical vendors to inform improvements, strategic positioning and learning agendas of SCL and I HEAR U. d. Assist with the coordination of I HEAR U related support requests and follow-up, helping to ensure timely responses and smooth day-to-day use of the platform in collaboration with relevant teams and vendors. 2. Support the strengthening of capacity building, reporting and use of Social and Community Listening insights. a. Support the development and dissemination of practical tools, guidance, training materials and learning resources to build CO capacity on SCL and effective use of I HEAR U. b. Support the production of regular analytical SCL outputs, such as thematic, ad hoc, campaign, emergency and regular reports that synthesize trends, perceptions, misinformation, narratives and emerging issues. 3. Promote knowledge exchange, documentation and visibility of I HEAR U. a. Support the facilitate knowledge exchange across HQ, Regional Office and Country Office teams by supporting communities of practice, coordination calls and peer-learning sessions focused on I HEAR U applications. b. Support coordination with relevant internal teams to ensure I HEAR U continues to respond to operational needs. c. Support the preparation of launch events, demo sessions and other learning and promotion products for I HEAR U d. Contribute to the promotion and visibility of I HEAR U as a global UNICEF asset by supporting internal communications, external partnerships, knowledge products and evidence. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities; - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports UNICEF with professionalism, dedication and client orientation, and who must be willing both to work on programmatic/substantive aspects and to provide operational/logistical services.
Competencies and valuesCore Values: - Care - Respect - Integrity - Trust - Accountability - Sustainability Core competencies - Builds and maintains partnerships - Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness - Innovates and embraces changes - Drive to achieve results for impact - Manages ambiguity and complexity - Thinks and acts strategically - Works collaboratively with others UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Living conditions and remarksa) Geographic situation Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. And is located on Spainโs eastern coast, at the mouth of the Turia River, right in the centre of the Gulf of Valencia. It is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean, a stretch of water which has gradually forged the city's character over the centuries. b) Climate, weather and clothing Valencia enjoys a mild temperate Mediterranean climate. The average annual temperature is 17ยบC with warm summers and mild winters. The temperature in Valencia rarely falls below 10ยบC and there is only light rainfall mainly in autumn and the beginning of spring. c) Other Remarks UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteerโs service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment. Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 3713 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Family allowance: $250 per month for one dependent. $450 per month for two or more dependents Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): USD 225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated) Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days