Social and Behavior Change Consultant (SBCC) at Malaria Consortium

Project overview

• The Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin among Children 1–59 Months in Nigeria (SARMAAN II) project which is aimed at evaluating the safety, impact on antimicrobial resistance, and effects on child mortality of mass azithromycin administration (MDA) in children aged 1–59 months.
• By combining service delivery (intervention component) with rigorous research, SARMAAN II ensures that evidence directly informs practice and policy. Implemented across 11 states in Nigeria including Kebbi, the project aims to generate actionable insights for adoption as a major child survival health intervention in the future.
• The AZM MDA campaign will commence with microplanning in February 2026 with biannual implementation occurring from June-July and November-December 2026.
• Effective Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBC) is essential to ensure caregiver awareness, acceptance, and uptake of these interventions. Malaria Consortium therefore seeks to engage an SBC Consultant to support planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of SBC activities during the 2026 MDA campaign in the State.
• The Malaria Consortium SARMAAN II project is funded by the Gates Foundation. This term of reference (ToR) is however focused on 2026 AZM MDA delivery in Jigawa, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kebbi and Gombe States.

Rationale:

• SBC plays a critical role in supporting the successful delivery of AZM MDA by promoting caregiver understanding, acceptance, and adherence. As the State implements these important child health interventions there is need for coordinated SBC support to ensure clear, accurate, and consistent messaging to caregivers and communities.
• The SBC Consultant will support all SBC activities related to Azithromycin (AZM MDA) intervention implemented before, during and after the campaign period. Their role is to strengthen community engagement, build trust, address caregiver concerns, and support informed participation in programme activities.
• The SBC consultant will work with the state to support social and behavior change for AZM MDA delivery ensuring community engagement and caregiver acceptance of preventive measures. They will also adapt messaging that combines information about AZM MDA, emphasizing the benefits of the intervention as well as the specifics of the scheduled campaign.

Purpose of the assignment:

• The purpose of this consultancy is to provide state-level technical assistance and oversight for SBC activities supporting the 2026 AZM campaign in Jigawa, Gombe, Adamawa, Kebbi and Kaduna States.
• The SBC Consultant will work as part of the State team to support demand creation, community engagement, capacity building, monitoring, and reporting related to AZM MDA distribution. Working with the relevant State agencies (SMEP/PHCDA), the consultants will serve as SBC focal points and support AZM MDA key activities including Advocacy visits to key stakeholders, adaptation of SBC materials, planning for engagement activities, development of SBC materials and tools, facilitation, capacity-building of SBC related personnel, monitoring, and reporting on overall SBC activities in the states.

Methodology:

• The technical support would be via a combination of physical or virtual participation in planning and implementation activities including off-site training, on the job training, supervision, and monitoring. The TA will work in sync with other State and LGA staff and Government officials but would oversee SBC related activities with support from the State Project Manager (SPM). Data collection and reporting would be via the standard campaign forms, platforms, tools, and MC standard reporting template.

Scope of work

• The technical support would cover all the LGAs of the states for AZM MDA distribution. The activity will conclude after the last round of AZM MDA for the year with the submission of a report.

Specific tasks:
The specific tasks include:

• Context-Specific Social and Behavior Change Materials
• Incorporate tailored social and behavior change strategies to address Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
• Develop targeted advocacy strategies focusing on identified stakeholders, market leaders, youth groups and traditional rulers to promote AZM MDA uptake.
• Strengthen collaboration with community leaders, religious figures, to foster ownership and sustained engagement to improve child health and contribute to the reduction of All – cause U5 mortality.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) for health workers and community mobilizers to enhance malaria awareness and AZM MDA promotion.

Media Engagement and Information Dissemination:

• Develop and execute localized media plans, leveraging state-specific communication channels and approaches that reach the target audience.

Community-Level SBC Personnel Selection and Deployment:

• Support LGA teams in identifying and training local malaria champions.
• Influencer and Key Stakeholder Identification

Monitoring and Evaluation of SBC Activities:

• Track and monitor community engagement activities using state-specific SBC monitoring tools.

State and LGA-Level Engagements:

• Provide technical support for state and LGA flag-off events, ensuring key community stakeholders participate.
• Post-Campaign SBC Planning and Reinforcement.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare a comprehensive SBC activity report highlighting state-specific challenges, successes, and recommendations for improved malaria prevention.
• Submit a detailed consultancy report within seven days post-campaign, outlining SBC interventions, challenges, and impact.
• Populate and submit all required SBC monitoring templates to track media and community engagement efforts.

Expected Deliverables and Performance Standards:

• SBC pre, during and post campaign workplan
• Adapted Social and behavior change materials within 2 days from engagement.
• Advocacy plan prepared and shared with MC LGA Field Assistants and SPM for consolidation with activity report.
• Weekly update reports to the State SPM to collate as weekly updates.
• Social and Behavior change report during the AZM MDA campaigns submitted to the SPMs at the end of round in the state.
• Completion and submission of AZM SBC preparedness check list
• Detailed campaign reports prepared and submitted to the SPMs at the end of the round for consolidation and onward submission to Country level.
• Detailed consultancy report on MC report template, clearly highlighting specific tasks/role during the activity submitted at least 7days after completion of the activity.

Required Specifications for Consultants

• Minimum of first degree in Social Sciences or related fields and at least 3 years post- graduation.
• Excellent leadership qualities.
• Previous training and experience in AZM or similar campaigns (ITNs, SMC, Polio Immunization, etc.) campaigns.
• Previous experience supporting the development of behavior change campaigns that delivered results.
• Previous experience supporting the development of behavior change campaigns that delivered results.
• Knowledge of malaria and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment is required.
• Previous experience working in a National and/or State Ministry of Health preferred.
• Experience with a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing significant workloads and multiple tasks, in a fast-paced environment, with tight deadlines, is required.
• Excellent training and supervisory skills
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills
• A proven ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Excellent experience in using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and to remain flexible and calm under pressure.
• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing bottlenecks/issues desired.
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with team members and state personnel.
• Experience and understanding of demand creation issues related to campaign distribution.