Senior Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Advisor - COVID-19, USAID M-Rite Project at John Snow Inc - JSI

Position Description
General Information:

• JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) is a public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities throughout the world. JSI is currently seeking a Senior Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Advisor for the MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) project, part of a suite of innovative awards funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve family planning and maternal and child health in partner countries around the world.
• M-RITE’s overarching goal is to sustainably strengthen routine immunization programs to 1) overcome the entrenched obstacles contributing to stagnating and declining immunization rates in USAID-supported countries, and 2) address the barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines and other health services. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disruption of immunization services, M-RITE will also support countries with the maintenance, adaptation, and/or reinstatement of immunization and support countries as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine.

Summary

• JSI is currently seeking a Senior Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Advisor for the MOMENTUM-Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) project to be based in Abuja, Nigeria.
• The SBC Advisor will provide technical leadership and guidance in SBCC, provide technical support to NPHCDA to strengthen and carry out SBC activities that address persistent challenges, increase uptake of healthy behaviors and allow populations access and utilize Primary Health Care (PHC) services, with a specific emphasis on immunization services (routine, COVID-19, and new vaccines as appropriate).

Responsibilities
Specific Tasks Include:

Strategic program planning and implementation:

• Lead M-RITE strategic planning for technical assistance to NPHCDA and SPHCHA on SBC for demand creation and community engagement
• Contribute to the M-RITE technical assistance for planning of integrated immunization services from an SBC perspective
• Develop a detailed SBC implementation plan, which outlines key actors, behaviors, interventions, messages, and media required to overcome obstacles to immunization and thereby contribute to increased uptake and completion of immunization schedules.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other partners to design and adapt SBC interventions, activities, and materials for the different priority populations including for COVID-19 vaccination
• Coordinate and monitor implementation of M-RITE SBC workplan activities
• In support of M-RITE’s initial scoping activities for routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination, complete SBC landscape analysis of what is known about drivers of immunization behaviors (e.g., structural, socio-cultural including gender, and individual-level behavioral drivers) in project states.
• Participate in the design and implementation of M-RITE co-creation process, methodology, tool development and analysis to ensure SBC aspects are addressed.
• Participate in the development and/or updating community engagement strategies both at national level and in the assigned states

Technical leadership (capacity building / partnership / monitoring):

• Ensure that high-quality technical work is performed and supervise the M-RITE state-level immunization advisors.
• Provide technical support to National level SBC technical working groups for routine immunization and COVID-19, and support state level M-RITE staff to advice on SBC issues to address barriers to immunization and COVID-19 vaccination.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement at National and State Levels to design interventions to address persistent challenges to reach under-served communities and increase utilization of integrated PHC services, with an emphasis on immunization.
• Ensure linkage between M-RITE and NPHCDA at central level as well as with project SBC officers at subnational level.
• Define appropriate metrics to monitor quality and effectiveness of SBCC strategy implementation.
• Determine behavioral priorities and pathways to change (individual and social).
• Participate in annual workplan development and project review meetings, leading the discussions on SBCC plans, progress and potential.
• Work with NGOs, government, and other projects and organizations to build capacity in SBC and mentor facilitators, CBOs, CHWs, health facility staff, and others.
• Develop or update training materials to include COVID-19 vaccination and support use of innovative and digital technologies for SBC.
• Contribute to project evaluation activities and project reports as requested.
• Perform other, related activities as requested by M-RITE and JSI.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in one of the following or related fields: Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Marketing, Communication, or International Public Health with a specialization in Behavioral Science.
• 7 - 10 years of national level experience in design and implementation of evidence-based behavior and social change strategies, campaigns, and programs in Nigeria, including formative research.
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic and tactical programming and use of creative, innovative program approaches and actions.
• Familiarity with behavior change theories.
• Experience in capacity development for SBCC.
• Familiarity with gender-related barrier, gender and human‐centered design
• Knowledge of internationally recognized participatory materials development processes and experience developing health SBCC materials.
• Proficiency in MS Office and internet applications required.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40% time.
• Excellent oral communication, writing and documentation skills.
• English fluency in reading, writing, speaking.
• Ability to work in a dynamic team with colleagues of different backgrounds, to develop new ideas and perspectives in a team environment.

Remuneration
JSI offers competitive salary and benefits.