National Researcher and Anthropologist (office based with possible travel)

The Researcher / Anthropologist will conduct social studies on social characteristics and health behaviors of key population groups in Polio high risk areas to support community engagement and communication strategies to improve vaccine acceptance in Pakistan. The role involves desk research, field research, and collaboration with stakeholders to inform social behavior change strategies contributing to polio eradication efforts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct social studies on social characteristics and health behaviors of key population groups in Polio high risk areas.
• Support the program to develop community engagement and communication strategies to improve vaccine acceptance in Pakistan.
• Conduct desk research on cultural norms, customs, and behavioral drivers of key target populations.
• Undertake field research and observations to understand how the programme can refine its campaign strategies to improve polio acceptance.
• Engage with stakeholders, communities, children, civil society partners and government counterparts.
• Help identify the drivers of behavior change and assess the effectiveness of SBC interventions.
• Contribute to polio campaign efforts in reducing missed children towards achievement of Polio eradication in Pakistan.
• Ensure UNICEF Pakistan programming is evidence-based through expertise in Social and Behavioural Science.

Requirements

• Master’s in Social and Behavioural Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Public Health or another relevant technical field.
• An advanced university degree (Masters or Higher) and PhD in anthropology will be given preference.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: anthropology, social research, public health programming.
• Proficiency in English, Urdu and Pashto languages.
• Qualitative research and analytical skills.
• Experience of field data collection/surveys.
• Knowledge of Child Safeguarding and Ethics.
• Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity.
• Experience with data analysis software.
• Desirable: quantitative data analysis skills.

Skills

• Anthropology
• Social Research
• Public Health Programs
• Qualitative Research
• Field Data Collection
• Survey Implementation
• Child Safeguarding
• Ethics Compliance
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Contextual Sensitivity
• Data Analysis Software
• Quantitative Analysis

Languages

English, Urdu, Pashto