SBC Vaccine Program Manager at Mercy Corps

Position Status Full-time, Regular

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management. The Nigeria country program has grown considerably over the last few years, and is now the fifth-largest Mercy Corps country program, with a mixed grant & programming portfolio.

Mercy Corps has been implementing Programs addressing COVI-19 and its impact in most of the countries it serves. The safe and rapid distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will be the single biggest development challenge of the coming 1-2 years. It is clear that our role in vaccine delivery will not focus on clinical or logistical aspects, but rather on engaging with communities to combat “vaccine hesitancy” and encourage people to actively seek out vaccination and make sure they have access to the services.

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps’ presence in Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria, expertly positions it to support government agencies to increase adoption of the vaccine and fight the infodemic. Mercy Corps will provide strategic support to government agencies like the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Orientation Agency, the Nigerian Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and other State and local government actors. An effective COVID-19 Vaccination campaign is one that acknowledges and addresses the behaviours that prevent the population from accepting the vaccine. An effective behavioural change intervention by Mercy Corps will support the work of the Government and health agencies to speed up vaccination of Nigerians across the country. The SBC Vaccine Program Manager will serve as the Mercy Corps Nigeria focal point for implementing the SBC Vaccine Pilot Initiative that will work to provide information on the extent to which communities perceive or are responsive to the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. This information will supplement government effort and strategy on the delivery of vaccines. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Participate in MC Global Orientation about SBC Vaccine Pilot and acquaint with the initiative and approaches;
• Develop and or adapt SBC Vaccine Pilot tools including concept notes, assessment tools based on the Nigerian context;
• Engage the Ministry of Health departments responsible for COVID-19 vaccination programs to introduce the SBC Vaccine Initiative;
• Conduct a stakeholders mapping exercise to identify key actors and target places for the initiative;
• In conjunction with MOH engage State governments on the SBC Vaccine to solicit by-in and joint implementation;
• Train facilitators selected in conjunction with State and District Governments;
• Oversee the assessment (FGD, KII) in selected communities to gauge the perceptions on the COVID-19 vaccine;
• Continuously brief the Country Office team including COP, CD and DOP;
• Compile weekly briefs and share with the Country office teams
• Compile Stake holder’s engagement and final assessment

Organizational Learning:  As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:    COP-CIPP

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:    Headquarters SBC Vaccine team and CIPP and Country Communication Officers

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA or BSc. university degree in related field;
• 5 years+ related work experience with a not-for-profit organization implementing national and community level programs;
• Strong background in facilitation skills and government engagement;
• Solid organizational and research skills with a broad understanding of various program sectors and activities;

• Demonstrated experience in data analysis;
• Demonstrated experience in successfully working with administrative and program staff at all organizational levels;
• Computer skills in MS Office programs;

• Fluent written and oral communication in English.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Program Manager will engage Federal and State Government officials and ensure buy-in on the SBC Vaccine Pilot, mobilize communities to provide views on Vaccine hesitancy, communicate effectively with Mercy Corps Leadership, analyze data and deal with multiple actors and in a short time.

The humanitarian objectives of Mercy Corps’ programs may require flexibility in working hours and frequent travel to field offices, program sites and sub-recipient locations. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all locations.

Interested and Qualified? Apply HERE