Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist at EngenderHealth

EngenderHealth envisions a gender-equal world where all people achieve their sexual and reproductive health and rights. We believe this is essential for ensuring all people can achieve their full potentials. To achieve this vision, we implement high-quality, gender-equitable programs that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist

Requisition No: VN112
Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• Reporting to the Country Program Manager, with regular collaboration with CCP the Social & Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist will provide strategic guidance, inform program design, and set and monitor achievement of specific social and behaviour change communication objectives for the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery project.
• S/he will develop and operationalize SBCC strategies and monitor the rollout of high impact interventions for behaviors relevant to reproductive, maternal, and newborn health with an emphasis on female genital fistula, gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation / cutting (FGM/C), and safe emergency obstetric surgery and family planning.

Essential Functions

• In collaboration with CCP, provide strategic guidance and set specific SBC communication objectives for the project, and monitor achievements.
• In collaboration with CCP, develop and operationalize SBCC strategies and monitor the rollout of high-impact interventions for behaviors relevant to reproductive, maternal, and newborn health with an emphasis on female genital fistula, GBV, FGM/C, safe emergency obstetric surgery, and family planning.
• Provide technical support towards the development and implementation of holistic SBCC interventions across all project states working with local implementing partners such as community-based organizations and local district stakeholders.
• Knowledge management of the evidence generated by SBCC interventions in the project focus areas including contributions to routine project reporting and production of knowledge products (i.e. journal articles, technical briefs, case studies) documenting program activity and achievement, in collaboration with project program and M&E staff.
• Explore and establish partnerships with local governments to facilitate the development/adaption of existing platforms for effective community mobilization.
• Support the SBC capacity strengthening of community-based organization (CBO) implementing partners in the project through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide support to the project teams in strengthening/institutionalizing the M&E framework and tools, including data collection and use, and supportive supervision for SBC activities to promote community engagement.
• Support in developing/adapting guidelines, manuals, training modules for demand generation work in the project.
• Undertake periodical supportive supervision visits of CBO implementing partners and conduct review meetings to share and discuss findings.
• Identify community issues/challenges and develop strategies for effective implementation of the SBC interventions in the project.
• In collaboration with the Health Promotion Unit of the Family Health Department, and CCP, prepare community mobilization strategies and activities for inclusion in workplans and budgets.  Develop budget estimates for SBC activities.
• Partner with Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to identify community groups in focal states which may include religious groups, women’s groups, men’s groups, local community organizations, and NGOs, as well as private sector institutions.  create awareness of obstetric fistula, its prevention, access to treatment, and options for reintegration.
• Conduct sensitization workshops and coordinate other activities with WDCs, community leaders and groups to increase awareness about fistula prevention and treatment and to foster positive attitudes on SRHR issues 
• Coordinate activities with community mobilization officers from FGON, USAID or other donor-supported projects to identify possible joint activities for implementation.
• Facilitate community training activities related to SBC.
• Facilitate community research activities related to SBC.
• Develop and coordinate community advocacy groups/champions for the project.
• Undertake other duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements
Must possess the following requirements or reasonable accommodation:

• Post Graduate University Degree in Social / Behavioral Sciences with emphasis on Strategic Communication Planning for Behavior Development, Social Mobilization, Participatory Communication.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, planning, implementation, and management of social development programs with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programs.
• Familiarity and experience with Social and Behavior change concepts and frameworks influencing social norms in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) and other issues related to women empowerment; particularly of socially excluded communities such as women who have female genital fistula and/or have experienced GBV and/or FGM/C.

Essential Soft Skills:

• Committed to EngenderHealth’s core organizational values of reflection, inclusion, integrity, respect, and transformation.
• High level of ability to negotiate and enhance strategic partnerships.

Preferred Skills, Abilities and Functions:

• Strong writing skills, including report writing and documentation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Salary Range
USD35,872 - USD44,000 Annually.

Application Closing Date
10th December, 2021.