Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Consultant

Role summary The primary objective of the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Consultant is to design, implement, and lead behavior change campaigns that address key social issues and drive positive changes within the target population. The SBC Consultant will collaborate with project managers and teams across the organization to formulate and implement tailored SBC strategies in a variety of geographic and thematic areas. This role provides senior technical expertise in the design and execution of SBC strategies, drawing on global and regional best practices and adapting them to the Afghan context. The Consultant will work with colleagues, partners, and donors at the national and provincial levels. Duties and responsibilities SBC Strategy Analysis and Design ● Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the target population's social norms, attitudes, and behaviors to inform the development of effective behavior change strategies. ● Design evidence-based behavior change interventions and communication strategies that are culturally relevant, sensitive to local contexts, and tailored to the needs of the target audience. ● Apply human-centered design (HCD) principles and behavioral insights to co-create SBC interventions with communities and target audiences. ● Lead audience segmentation, barrier and driver analysis, and the selection of appropriate behavioral levers for each intervention. Content Development and Capacity Building ● Lead the development of engaging, behavior change-oriented content for multi-channel communication strategies, including message development, creative direction, and media utilization. ● Provide technical assistance and capacity building to local staff, partners, and community-based actors to strengthen their knowledge and skills in social and behavior change communication. ● Mentor and coach program teams on the practical application of SBC theories, frameworks, and tools throughout the program cycle. ● Stay abreast of the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in social and behavior change communication to inform program design and implementation. Stakeholder Coordination ● Collaborate with key stakeholders — including government agencies, community leaders, NGOs, donors, and local partners — to ensure the successful design and implementation of behavior change campaigns. ● Represent the organization in relevant SBC technical working groups, coordination platforms, and donor engagements. Learning and Adaptive Programming ● Work with the MEAL team to ensure SBC interventions are informed by data and translate findings into practical program adjustments. ● Document lessons learned, case studies, and promising practices to support organizational learning and inform future SBC programming. Job requirements ● Master's degree in communication, social sciences, public health, anthropology, marketing, or a related field. ● At least 10 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and leading behavior change interventions in developing country contexts; experience in Afghanistan or comparable fragile/conflict-affected settings is a strong advantage. ● Proven senior-level expertise in social and behavior change communication strategies, including audience segmentation, message development, creative development, and multi-channel media utilization. ● Demonstrated experience leading formative research and translating behavioral evidence into program strategy and creative content. ● Track record of designing and delivering SBC campaigns at scale, with documented behavioral outcomes. 4 · Skills and Competencies ● Deep expertise in the application of social and behavior change science, theories, and frameworks across all stages of the program cycle. ● Strong command of contemporary SBC approaches, including behavioral insights, human-centered design (HCD), social listening, and community-led approaches. ● Strong understanding of best practices in SBC and how they align with the priorities of major donors. ● Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams. ● Demonstrated experience working with multicultural teams and building collaborative, empowering environments. ● Ability to work independently, set priorities, and deliver against goals in complex operating environments. ● Fluency in English is required. For Afghan national consultants, fluency in Dari and Pashto is required. For international consultants, working knowledge of Dari or Pashto is an advantage. Eligibility and Application This assignment is open to both Afghan national and international consultants. International consultants must be willing and able to travel to and work in Afghanistan for the duration of the assignment, in line with the organization's security and duty-of-care protocols.