Advocacy, Communication, Social Mobilization (ACSM) Advisor at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Department: Global Fund Malaria Program
Position Band: E - 1
Reports to: Technical Director

Context
CRS has a long and rich history of collaboration with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Since 2003, CRS has been awarded over $290 million in Global Fund resources to implement programs in 27 countries. In Nigeria, CRS is a sub-recipient (SR) on the Global Fund HIV and Malaria grants and will assume the role of principal recipient (PR) for the Global Fund Malaria grant starting January 2017. As PR, CRS will partner with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), various state governments and malaria partners and stakeholders to coordinate the 2017 long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLIN) mass campaigns in 7 states.  CRS will also manage and oversee SRs to deliver a range of malaria treatment and prevention services at the state level.

Job Summary

• The position of ACSM Advisor will provide technical leadership and oversight for advocacy, communication and social mobilization activities for malaria, as well as malaria prevention activities, including intermittent preventive therapy in pregnancy (IPTp).
• S/he will provide training, accompaniment and technical support to SRs and will liaise with counterparts in Federal and State Ministries of Health to ensure adherence to national strategies and guidelines for malaria prevention.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Program Quality:

• With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure the Global Fund Malaria Program’s strategic objectives for malaria prevention and ACSM activities are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
• Provide leadership in the planning and coordination of malaria prevention and ACSM activities in 24 high-burden states, ensuring activities are implemented on schedule and meet relevant international and national guidelines.
• Support programing staff and SRs to design and implement effective advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) strategies, tailoring strategies to different audiences.
• Lead design of an advocacy plan for the Global Fund malaria program, identifying strategies to engage, influence and mobilize different constituencies, including political, business, religious and community leaders in the fight against malaria in Nigeria.
• Roll out and disseminate updated NMEP-approved guidelines, standard operating procedures and other job-aids for malaria prevention at the facility and community levels.
• Provide overall quality assurance for trainings and technical assistance provided by SRs to health facilities and community-oriented resource persons (CORPs) in malaria prevention and ACSM.
• Identify training needs for SRs and co-facilitate trainings as needed.
• Support programming team to develop strategies to ensure engagement of key populations organizations of women, children and migrant populations in malaria activities.
• Contribute to development of strategies to reach those in remote locations and “hard-to-reach” populations.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Track progress towards relevant performance indicators, analyzing reasons for shortfalls and adapting program strategies as needed.
• Support the design and implementation of feedback and response channels to enhance accountability of program vis-à-vis beneficiaries of malaria services.
• In collaboration with program and SR staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons learned and best practices for ACSM and malaria prevention are documented and disseminated.
• Facilitate learning exchanges among SRs and government ministries on malaria prevention and ACSM, and support quality improvement initiatives. 

Management and Administration:

• Support elaboration of Program Update/Disbursement Requests (PU/DR) in collaboration with other program staff.
• Review reports on ACSM and malaria prevention activities, provide feedback on implementation progress and performance, identify solutions to address challenges and weaknesses.
• Ensure implementation of activities in compliance with all CRS and Global Fund administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.

Representation and Advocacy:

• Coordinate closely with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and State Ministries of Health to plan ACSM and malaria prevention activities and ensure that the national guidelines are being appropriately and consistently applied.
• In collaboration with NMEP’ ACSM Unit and ACSM SRs, contribute to the development and implementation of tools, approach and strategies to strengthen ACSM.
• Liaise with technical counterparts in the Ministry of Health at Federal and State levels, other Principal Recipients, and other local and international stakeholders engaged in malaria activities in Nigeria.
• Represent CRS at relevant technical working groups, sectoral meetings and coordination forums.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Global Fund Malaria Program Team, Deputy Country Representative, Country Representative, Head of Operations, Finance, Procurement and Administration Staff, Regional and Senior Technical Advisors, Deputy Regional Directors for PQ and MQ
• External: Global Fund’s Fund Portfolio Manager and Nigeria Country Team, SRs, State Ministries of Health (SMOH), National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) within the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), Technical and Financial Partners, partner health facilities, Local Fund Agent (LFA)

Agency Wide Competences (for all CRS staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:
  • Serves with Integrity
  • Models Stewardship
  • Cultivates Constructive Relationships
  • Promotes Learning

Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as Medical/Nursing Sciences, Community Health, Health Education, Public Health or related field
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in malaria programming and provision of technical assistance to government and non-government partners
• Familiarity with current strategies and best practices for social and behavior change
• Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver trainings on social mobilization and behavior change communication.
• Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to work well both within a team and independently
• Strong representational skills and ability to interface with multiple stakeholders, representatives, and partners (including representatives of government agencies) in a professional manner on an ongoing basis
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize competing demands
• Strategic, analytical and decision-making skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Professional proficiency in English oral and written communication skills; strong demonstrated writing skills required (reports, evaluations)
• Willingness and ability to travel in-country (sometimes on short notice) up to 50% and out of the country up to 10%