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Social Behaviour Change Communication Specialist

FAO, Topeka, Kansas, United States

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Organizational Setting The FAO project “Adapting Rural Households in Southern Iraq to Water Scarcity Induced by Climate Change” (GCP/IRQ/073/CAN) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the project “Enhancing Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agriculture Households in Southern Iraq” (GCP/IRQ/006/GCF) funded by the Green Climate Fund, aim to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable farming households, with a particular focus on women, across eight governorates of Iraq: Babil, Missan, Muthanna, Najaf, Al‑Qadisiyah, Thi‑Qar, Kerbala and Wasit. A key component is the Climate Wise Women (CWW) initiative, focusing on empowering women as agents of change in rural communities. 175 women will be identified and trained to promote CSA through interactive dialogues, peer‑to‑peer learning, and community demonstrations, reaching approximately 52,500 rural women at village and homestead level. The CWW cadre, consisting of extension agents and local facilitators, will undergo a customized 6‑week training program covering Climate Smart Agriculture techniques, integrated pest management, irrigation and water management, agribusiness planning, and the use of social media and ICT technologies for climate adaptation and advocacy.

To ensure effective positioning, promotion, and facilitation of the CWWs’ work and achieve widespread behavioural change in CSA and water‑energy‑food nexus management, FAO is developing a targeted Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy. This strategy will include branding, messaging, and behaviour change communication products, as well as strategies for engaging men and community leaders to support CWW agents of change and build an enabling environment for the initiative.

FAO is seeking the services of an experienced international consultant to develop a comprehensive and context‑specific Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy for the CWW initiative.

Reporting Lines Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Iraq, and the direct supervision of Deputy FAO Representative and in coordination with relevant Project Managers, International Gender Specialist and Communication Specialist.

Technical Focus Design and delivery of an evidence‑based, context‑specific SBCC Strategy aligned with the CWW Theory of Change and Operational Plan, to promote equitable CSA adoption and behavioural change in the targeted governorates.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Review existing project materials, including ToC, baseline, CWW curricula and relevant documents.

Prepare a methodological report detailing the approach, tools, sampling, timelines and overall workplan for the SBCC assessment.

Conduct rapid Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) and Social Norms Analysis Plot (SNAP) assessments with rural women, men and local authorities.

Field mission to central and southern governorates of Iraq and analyse behavioural drivers, barriers, and social norms affecting CSA practices.

Translate findings from the KAP/SNAP assessment into behavioural insights and propose targeted communication and engagement approaches to promote Climate‑Smart Agriculture practices.

Develop conceptual frameworks and message matrices for different audiences (women farmers, men, youth, community leaders, local authorities).

Propose community engagement tools, including dialogue guides, radio discussions or culturally adapted approaches.

Provide concept notes and storyboards for communication products (visuals, radio spots, posters, etc.) with key messages and technical specifications.

Draft a roadmap for integrating the SBCC approach within national systems.

Develop a comprehensive M&E framework with KPIs and means of verification.

Prepare an implementation monitoring plan with indicators aligned with project ToC and logframe.

Conduct validation workshops organized by FAO and attended by relevant stakeholders.

Expected Outputs

SBCC methodological report completed.

SBCC overarching strategy developed.

M&E framework and implementation plan established.

FAO Standards and Guidelines

Liaise with OCC to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and review and clearance processes.

All communication materials follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including the FAO Strategic Framework 2022‑31, FAO social media policy, Social Media Branding Guidelines, FAOSTYLE guidelines, FAO terminology, FAO names of countries, story guidelines, and related branding guidelines.

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Behavioural Science, Communications, Rural Development, or a relevant discipline; consultants with a bachelor’s degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience.

At least 10 years of experience designing and implementing SBCC strategies for agriculture, climate, and livelihoods programs and institutional capacity building.

Working knowledge of English (level C).

FAO Core Competencies

Results focus

Teamwork

Communication

Building effective relationships

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Selection Criteria

Arabic knowledge is an added asset.

Proven expertise with KAP, SNAP, SAA and other participatory behaviour change tools.

Experience in Climate‑Smart Agriculture and knowledge of the FAO Farmer Field School (FFS) approach is an asset.

Experience working in the Near East and North Africa region is an asset. Knowledge of Iraq’s socio‑economic and political contexts is a strong asset.

Job Posting 05/Nov/2025

Closure Date 19/Nov/2025, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit FNIRQ

Job Type Non‑staff opportunities

Type of Requisition Consultant

Duration 3 months

Important Notice Please note that the closure date and time displayed above are based on the date and time settings of your personal device.

FAO Commitment

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.

Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of under‑represented members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

All FAO staff are required to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to maintain FAO's values.

FAO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, has a zero‑tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Seniority level Mid‑Senior level

Employment type Full‑time

Job function Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries Non‑profit Organizations

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