State Based Consultant at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)

Job Description

• The Consultant will provide TA for a duration of 10 months to dedicated state primary healthcare development agencies in implementing a variety of tasks to promote community engagement and participation, and measurable behavioural and social change/mobilization in risk communication and demand generation for COVID-19 vaccines.

Technical Responsibilities

• Project strategy implementation/technical assistance i. Oversee the day-to-day implementation of program deliverables
• Collaborate with government and non-government stakeholders to provide technical support to the design and conduct of the socio-behavioural study, social listening and KIIs and FGDs to develop, test, produce and use quality materials and/or organize activities to promote COVID-19 vaccination uptake
• Facilitate the conduct of comprehensive analysis of social-cultural-economic, and other factors affecting COVID-19 vaccination uptake to develop targeted stakeholder engagement strategies
• Assist with the planning and coordination of COVID-19 vaccine behavioural change communication strategies in consultation with SPHCDA officials.
• Monitor and ensure proper documentation of interventions offered and outcomes in the appropriate data capture tools followed by updates on recommended project databases 

Other responsibilities

• Participate in problem-solving and learning sessions to share knowledge, best practices, challenges and progress on program implementation
• Provide daily updates on implementation activities to the project manager.
• Engage actively with relevant stakeholders to foster good relationships with the organization.
• Support any other tasks as may be required by the central Project management team

Expected deliverables

• Identify and map priority stakeholders for targeted advocacy and engagement through a defined strategy
• Develop, test and conduct a COVID-19 vaccine uptake gap assessment using behavioural science frameworks in collaboration with the central team
• Establish infodemic management and communications data monitoring systems (including dashboards and trackers) in focus states
• Develop and domesticate reframed COVID-19 vaccination messaging in collaboration with SPHCDA demand team v. Weekly program updates summarising the status of activities and key next steps
• Bi-monthly progress reports detailing the status, outcomes and next steps of strategies deployed in collaboration with SPHCDA

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate or Master’s degree in Social and Behavioural Science, Health Education, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Communication, Medicine, or other related fields
• 4+ years’ experience working in the development or consulting sector
• Past experience in community engagement, health data collection and/or demand generation campaigns for health programs/interventions or other development sector programs in local communities is desirable
• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and data management skills
• Experience in leadership roles including management and/or interfacing with high-ranking officials is desirable g. Experience working with/as part of government systems is advantageous.

Competencies required

• Computer literacy and competency using the MS suite of programs
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Fluency in the local dialects of the geographic region is an added advantage
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Ability to perform multiple tasks, and adjust work pace and direction to emerging realities
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain positive working relationships
• Resourceful in resolving problems and initiating solutions