Job Title: Senior Behavioral Scientist (Saving Lives and Livelihoods)
Number of Posts: 1 (One)
Supervisor: Director, Science and Innovation
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Director for Science and Innovation, the Senior Behavioral Scientist will support the application of behavioral science across the directorate’s programs. The post holder will work collaboratively with leads in health systems research, ethics and regulatory affairs, and clinical trials to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate a range of social and behavioral science initiatives. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting qualitative and quantitative assessments, including proposal development, data collection and analysis, and reporting
- Undertaking behavioral analyses using current evidence and data to inform project design
- Supporting co-creation and strategy development activities
- Embedding behavioral science approaches across directorate initiatives
- Developing training materials and contributing to capacity building for young researchers
- Presenting research findings in diverse technical and professional forums
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaborate with project teams to integrate behavioral science into priority programs
- Contribute to statistical and qualitative data analysis using software such as STATA, MaxQDA, NVIVO, Atlas.ti, or Quirkos
- Support segmentation and targeting of interventions using local and national data
- Advise colleagues on the use of behavior change tools and resources
- Apply a project management approach to planning and executing behavioral science initiatives
- Monitor developments in behavioral science to inform future strategies and policies
- Contribute to technical reports, scientific publications, and policy briefs
- Provide high-quality written and verbal communication tailored to technical and lay audiences
- Participate in professional development and maintain relevant registrations
- Explore research collaborations to advance behavioral science across business units
- Promote innovation, learning, and continuous improvement within the directorate
- Ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion are addressed in all behavioral science work
Qualifications and Work Experience
Required Education:
- Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Behavioral Economics, or related Social Sciences with at least 7 years of professional experience, including 3 years in a supervisory role
OR - Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with at least 10 years of professional experience, including 3 years at a supervisory level
- A PhD is an added advantage
Functional Skills
- Proven experience applying behavioral insights to public health programs
- Research, implementation, and evaluation of behavior-informed policies and interventions
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills
- Excellent written communication and research abilities
- Project planning and execution from design to implementation
- Ability to translate complex technical content into accessible formats
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and internet applications
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Perspective
- Developing Others
- Change Management
- Managing Risk
- Leading Multicultural Teams
Core Competencies
- Building Relationships
- Accountability
- Learning Orientation
- Communicating with Impact
Functional Competencies
- Conceptual Thinking
- Information Sharing
- Results-Driven
- Fostering Innovation
Language Requirement
Proficiency in one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Kiswahili, or Portuguese) is required. Knowledge of additional AU languages is an advantage.
Tenure of Appointment
This is a fixed-term appointment up to December 2025, with the first three months serving as a probationary period. Renewal will be subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Gender Mainstreaming
The African Union Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Remuneration
The indicative basic salary is US$ 37,453 (P3 Step 1) per annum, plus applicable allowances:
- Post adjustment (42%–57% of basic salary, depending on duty station)
- Housing allowance: US$ 16,819.80 – US$ 24,561.00 per annum
- Education allowance: Up to US$ 10,000.00 per eligible dependent child per annum
Closing date: 20 June 2025