BCC Advisor Vacancies at AED Nigeria

AED has been awarded the USAID-funded Malaria Action Program for States (MAPS) project designed to support the Nigeria National Malaria Strategic Plan and National MAlaria Control Program (NMCP). The project will increase the quality, access, and uptake of specific malaria control interventions, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), expanded use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDs), and delivery of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) to pregnant women.

AED Nigeria  is currently recruiting candidates to fill a number of exciting positions with the Malaria Action Program for States (MAPS) Project in Abuja as well as state offices in Zamfara, Cross River, and Nassarawa. Available positions include:

Behavior Change Communications Advisor

The Behavior Change Communications (BCC) Advisor will provide direction, technical expertise, and oversight of all project BCC activities for MAPS in Nigeria. He will assist the NMCP, and, working with the project BCC and Community Mobilization Officers at the State level in project focus states, collaborate with and build capacity of State Ministries of Health and private-sector counterparts to identify, develop, implement, and monitor an array of BCC approaches to changing and maintaining behaviors in the area of malaria prevention and treatment.

Essential Job Functions

1. Meet regularly with representatives of the NMCP, USAID, partners, and other stakeholders to integrate feedback and national and local strategic plans into key campaign messages, including proper and consistent LLIN use and maintenance; comprehension and use of ACTs; and increased use of ANC services.
2. Working with State BCC and Community Mobilization Officers, develop IEC messages to improve mothers' awareness of the risk of malaria during pregnancy and promote the use of IPTp during various phases of pregnancy.
3. Conduct strategic behaviour communications needs assessments and design, pre-test, and finalize drafts of IEC/media materials.
4. Implement and monitor IEC/BCC activities at the health facility and community level to ensure maximum local impact and education.
5. Collaborate closely with the M&E Advisor to ensure the documentation of BCC effects on target audiences by designing all messages to track specific, measurable behaviors.
6. Identify complementary activities and align plans within MAPS and under NMCP and other malaria projects.
7. Monitor and report on all State-level BCC activities.
8. Working with Implementation Manager, collaborate and build capacity of State Ministries of Health and private-sector counterparts to develop, implement, and monitor BCC messaging and implementation.
9. Contribute to work plans, budgets, pipelines, technical reports, and deliverables.
10. Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Experience

1. Minimum of a Master's Degree in Public Health; Communications and Media Arts; Marketing; or a relevant field.
2. At least years of professional experience developing mass communication campaigns.
3. At least ten years of experience working in public health sector.

Specific Knowledge Requirements

1. Practical experience with the Nigerian health system.
2. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
3. Ability to multi-task and oversee a number of ongoing activities.
4. Excellent communication and networking skills.

Application Deadline
16th December, 2010

How To Apply
To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and contact information to nigeriarecruitment@aed.org and specify the position and location in which you are interested. Please write "Nigeria MAPS Hire" in the subject line. Submissions may also be delivered/mailed in hard copy to:

Attn: Dr. Olufemi Oke/C-CHANGE Office
7th Floor, Labour House
Plot 820/821, Off Ralph Shodeinde Street
Central Business District, Abuja

Only those short-listed will be contacted for an interview.