SBCC Officer at Malaria Consortium

The SBCC officer is expected to increase demand for routine immunization and PMC using evidence-based, participatory, and systematic processes. Applying approaches, activities, and tools based on behaviour science to positively influence knowledge, attitudes and social norms among individuals, institutions, and communities.  He/ she will adopt the project SBCC communication plan and bear the responsibility for implementation of the advocacy, social mobilisation, programme communication, SBCC monitoring and evaluation activities in support of PMC-Effect project at the State, LGA and community levels. The job holder will engage, and work directly with partners and stakeholders at the policy, service delivery point and community levels, to achieve demand creation targets of the project in Osun state.

Key working relationships

The position holder will be expected to work closely with the State Project Manager and PMC project state and national team, the Principal Investigator and C0- principal investigator. He/she is also expected to work directly with all existing SBCC stakeholders (Social mobilization committee, Ward Health Committees, Health Promotion officers and Health Promoters) in the state and the focal LGAs to achieve demand creation targets while implementing the social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) strategy for PMC-Effect project.

Key accountabilities

Demand creation (60%)

• Develop and implement the SBCC strategy that articulates the strategic approaches, priority interventions and activities needed to create awareness, facilitate uptake and utilization of PMC services for the project.
• Intensify the dissemination of appropriate information on immunization to motivate, inspire and increase the number of caregivers bringing their children for immunization services.
• Undertake activities to improve the communication between the health care providers and their clients so as to increase acceptance, demand for and use of SP-PMC among the mothers/caregivers.
• Convene periodic SBC and service delivery coordination meetings or forums to promote data sharing, analysis and use, and real-time strategy (re)alignment e.g., message harmonization.
• Support State and LGAs Health Promotion Officers SBCC activities at the state and community level; disseminating SBCC messages to key audiences, through relevant channels; to improve the uptake of services and commodities of the project. 
• Lead the State level implementation of advocacy interventions with policy, political, community and religious leaders, women groups, CDC/As and CBOs working in collaboration with the existing structures at the State, LGA and/or ward levels to enhance acceptance, ownership and resource mobilization and sustainability for the project;
• Facilitate SBCC-related workshops and orientations at state and LGA levels.
• Ensure SBCC component is adequately included in the project’s monitoring and supervision activities.
• Participate actively in all SBCC and related activities of the projects including media material development, and production and review of SBCC work plan and budget.
• Contribute, as a member of project state team, to the overall state work plans, sub agreements, and deliverables of the project
• Coordinate targeted distribution of SBCC materials for the project; and orientation of key audiences on how to use the materials.
• Coordinate the collaboration with all SBCC stakeholders and structures to ensure that appropriate and correct messages reach all rural and urban population in the state, focal LGAs and communities.

Knowledge Management (20%)

• Prepare success stories relating to the project interventions and document other achievements of the PMC-Effect project.
• Document and archive project knowledge management products
• Prepare and submit monthly summary and quarterly reports of SBCC activities for PMC-Effect Project,

External Relations and representation (20%)

• Support the project’s efforts to manage relationship with MC partners within the State, both through interpersonal and targeted media communications.
• Represent the PMC-Effect project at events and meetings, as agreed with/directed by the State Project Manager; and actively support efforts to increase overall achievement of the project objectives.
• Management of external relations with stakeholders and other implementers in the state
• Creation and maintenance of feedback loop between communities and the project on accountability issues
• Perform any other duties as directed by the Project Manager

Person specification

Qualifications and experience:        

Essential:     

• A minimum of a university bachelor’s degree (BSc) or higher national diploma (HND) or equivalent in health promotion, mass communication, social science, or community health.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in public health programme/project; with focus on social mobilization, programme communication, community mobilization and advocacy, with experience in health programme design, implementation, coordination, and management.
• Experience collaborating with ministries of health and/or State malaria elimination Programme (SMEP)in in Nigerian states on the implementation of public health programmes, including malaria control and EPI.
• Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills, working on, and providing oversight on SBCC activities at the state and LGA levels.
• Previous experience working with community accountability structures like Ward Development Committees, Ward Health Committees etc.
• A good knowledge of Yoruba culture, proven sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in culturally diverse environments.  
• Fluency in English and Yoruba languages is compulsory.

Desirable:

• Ability to multi-task and oversee several ongoing activities.
• Demonstrated skill in community outreaches, campaigns, mobilization and coalition-building in the public sector.
• Proficiency in the use of computers (Microsoft Word; Excel and PowerPoints); and internet navigations.
• Experience in malaria programming and/or EPI will be an advantage.
• A good team player.

Work-based Skills and Competencies:

Essential:

• Experience in SBCC activities including community mobilization, advocacy, etc.
• Excellent communication skills both written and spoken in English.
• Demonstrable report-writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good team spirit
• Facilitation skill especially on SBCC activities
• Committed to Malaria Consortium’s values and mission.

Desirable

• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Capable of working with minimum supervision
• Innovative and ideas driven.
• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools