Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Consultant – Parenting, Child Protection & Mental Health in the Digital Sphere, Media, and Crisis Contexts, 1.38 months, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Remote with travel

The primary objective of this consultancy is to design, implement, and monitor evidence-based SBC strategies, campaign framework, communication packages and community engagement tools addressing parenting support, child and adolescent mental health, child protection and wellbeing in the digital environment. These initiatives will promote positive parenting & mental health and digital safety for children while providing behavioral guidance during crises and unexpected school closures across the Gulf region, starting in UAE, to be later tweaked to each of the Gulf countries.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  External ToR TMC0007652.pdf

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken) is required, as deliverables must be contextualized for local Gulf audiences.

• Master’s degree in social and behavioral sciences, psychology, communication for development (C4D), or other related field.

• Documented media experience, training media professionals and designing public awareness campaigns or behavior change toolkits targeted at youth and caregivers.
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive professional experience in designing and executing SBC strategies, specifically within child protection, mental health, or digital safety sectors.
• Prior experience with UN agencies or international NGOs is highly desirable.

• Strong familiarity with the cultural, social, and digital landscape of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex psychological and protection concepts into simple, actionable behavioral messages.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills to coordinate effectively across regional governments, media houses, and country offices

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal template TMC0007652.docx

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 09 Nov 2026 Arab Standard Time
Applications close: 16 Nov 2026 Arab Standard Time

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