Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Mbabane
- Category: Non-Profit / Development
- Closing Date: 2026-09-09
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement social and behavior change programs.
- Conduct research and analysis on community needs.
- Collaborate with local partners and stakeholders.
- Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness.
Requirements
- Relevant qualifications in Social Sciences, Public Health, or related fields.
- Experience in social and behavior change programs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
How to Apply
About the Company
UNICEF, originally the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, officially United Nations Children's Fund since 1953, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The organization is one of the most widely known and visible social welfare entities globally, operating in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF's activities include providing immunizations and disease prevention, administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV, enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, improving sanitation, promoting education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Social and Behaviour Change Officer role with UNICEF in Eswatini?
A bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, communications, or a related field is usually required; a master’s degree is often preferred. Relevant experience in SBCC programming in Eswatini or Southern Africa — especially with government or NGOs like the Ministry of Health or Swaziland National AIDS Programme — strengthens applications. Certification in behaviour change frameworks (e.g., COM-B, Theory of Planned Behaviour) or training from institutions like the University of Eswatini or regional WHO/UNICEF workshops is valued.
What does a typical day look like for a Social and Behaviour Change Officer working on UNICEF-supported programmes in Eswatini?
Daily tasks include co-facilitating community dialogues in rural areas like Hhohho or Shiselweni, supporting district health teams to adapt SBCC materials into siSwati, and documenting community feedback using mobile data tools approved by the Ministry of Health. Officers frequently travel to health facilities and schools, coordinate with local chiefs and faith leaders, and participate in joint monitoring visits with the Royal Swaziland Police Service or National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS.
How does the local work culture in Eswatini shape expectations for this role, particularly around communication and hierarchy?
Respect for traditional and formal authority — such as inkhundla heads, chiefs, and senior health officials — is essential; decisions are often consultative and consensus-driven. Communication is typically indirect and relationship-based, so building trust through consistent engagement and adherence to local protocols (e.g., presenting izibongo or customary greetings) is expected before programme implementation begins.
What realistic career progression paths exist for someone starting as a Social and Behaviour Change Officer in Eswatini’s development sector?
With 3–5 years’ experience, officers often advance to Senior SBCC Specialist roles with UNICEF implementing partners like Save the Children Eswatini or the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA). Others transition into national leadership positions — such as SBCC Focal Point at the Ministry of Health — or pursue technical advisory roles with SADC or AU health initiatives, supported by continued professional development through local institutions like the Eswatini College of Technology.
What benefits — such as leave, medical aid, and pension — are typically offered to national staff in UNICEF-supported SBCC roles in Eswatini?
National staff employed through UNICEF implementing partners generally receive 30 days annual leave, full medical aid coverage under schemes like the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) pilot or private providers (e.g., Medshield Eswatini), and mandatory pension contributions via the Eswatini Pension and Provident Fund. Benefits align with the Employment Act of Eswatini and may include additional allowances for fieldwork or hardship, depending on the employer’s agreement with UNICEF.