SBCC Officer at Malaria Consortium

Job purpose
To provide health communications, promotion, gender mainstreaming, and implementation support to all SuNMaP 2 project activities in the state.

Scope of work
This role involves implementation of communications activities which include social mobilisation and social behaviour change communication (SBCC), advocacy. It also involves mainstreaming of gender and equity related issues in programme planning, implementation and evaluation for the state. Other areas within the scope are documentation and dissemination of learnings and external communications/ public relations.
S/he will implement these activities according to the communications strategies of the country office, the projects’ activity planning and under the guidance of the SBCC Specialist. S/he will also ensure an appropriate level of relevant visibility for the project among stakeholders through engagement with the media, regional events and other relevant forums.

Key working relationships
The Officer directly reports to the State Malaria Service Delivery Expert and indirectly to the SBCC specialist. It also involves working closely with the project’s partners, including the media, state health teams, health workers and VHTs.

Key accountabilities
1. Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) - 40%

• Provide input to all aspects of SBCC strategy development, implementation and evaluation including communication initiatives, training and capacity building, mass media, community/social mobilization, interpersonal communication, and media/materials development.
• Provide technical assistance to support planning, development, coordination, and implementation of BCC materials in print and electronic formats.
• Liaise with programme and other technical staff for the development and coordination of SBCC activities especially at planning and at implementation in selected communities.
• Review research, programme, and media reports; and share/apply relevant findings to inform programmatic reviews and decisions.
• Seek, identify and share innovative program approaches in response to changing priority areas and other condition.
• Provide accurate budget and activity reports in adherence to the agreed timeline or schedule
• Contribute to the design effective monitoring mechanisms for SBCC activities and arrange for technical assistance as appropriate.
• Collaborate and liaise with the partners and key stakeholders to exchange best BCC practices
• Work closely with the MEAL Officer in the monitoring and evaluation of project activities
• Support the conduct of surveys and other relevant data gathering approaches, as required

2. Equity and Gender Mainstreaming (EGeM) - 30%

• Support the planning and implementation and monitoring of the EGeM component of the malaria programme in the focal state
• Support the collection, analysis, sharing and application of relevant and current data on EGeM; in close coordination with M&E officer.
• Ensure gender, poverty and social development issues are incorporated and implemented in all the malaria components, including training, capacity building, and development programs both at institution and community levels.
• Ensure implementation and monitoring of the Gender and social inclusion action plan.
• Provide inputs regarding EGeM for all training programs, both at institution and community levels.
• Maintain regular communication on EGeM in relation to malaria with relevant partners and stakeholders within and outside the programme, document and share the information.
• Develop mechanism to ensure effective participation of, women’s organisations, ministries and agencies in malaria programme planning, and implementation especially community level.

3. Documentation - 10%

• Support implementation of documentation exercises including success/significant change story collection supported with relevant pictures
• Support to the State Manager and MEAL officer in story writing and data analysis as required
• Support the MEAL Officer to ensure that all relevant project documentation is disseminated to the State health teams

4. Networking (5%)

• Provide support to the projects’ staff to maintain effective relationships with local governments and development partners when required
• Act as the main liaison agent between cultural and religious institutions in their region of intervention
• Develop effective and collaborative relationships with all project partners, including the state health teams, implementing partners and a network of CSOs
• Participate in relevant meetings, presenting project results and experiences as required

5. External Communications - 10%

• Facilitate the relationship between state media representatives, partners and stakeholders’ based in the state of intervention, in accordance with project guidelines regarding media/ community engagement
• Ensure the quality data, testimonies and pictures are collected in the field and appropriately labelled.
• 6. Other - 5%
• Actively participate as a member of the project Technical Team
• Adhere to all project policies and procedures

Person specification
Qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in health communication/ promotion behavior change communications, community mobilization, activations, gender development, and projects documentation.
• Master’s degree in communications, social sciences, health promotion, marketing or related field, with a public health bias
• Experience in story collection and story writing to document projects’ achievements and successes.
• Basic understanding of gender and equity related issues in malaria and public health programmes
• Adequate knowledge of the state, local government and community structures and institutions relevant to public health programmes.
• Basic understanding of malaria and other public health issues in Nigeria; and the associated behavior change processes. associated to them
• Experience in working with media organisations to achieve public health programme objectives

Desirable
Knowledge of the Nigerian Public health sector
Experience in health sector advocacy work
Foundational knowledge of public health approaches

Work-based skills and competencies:
Essential

• Good oral and written communications skills and ability to convey messages to diverse audiences
• Strong interest in and desire to promote improved health policy and practice
• Proven skills in writing, copy editing, proof reading and documentation, excellent attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher or other design software)
• Excellent organization, planning, communication and follow-up skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments

Desirable

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of associates, including management
• Skills in the use of different media outlets (photography, film, TV, radio, newspapers etc.) for communications purposes
• Experience in public health communications campaigns
• Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge