Social Behaviour Change and Communication Officers, USAID M-Rite Project at John Snow, Incorporated (JSI)

John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) - We are public health care and health systems consultants and researchers driven by a passion to improve health services and health outcomes for all.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Social Behaviour Change and Communication Officer

Location: Jigawa
Project: USAID MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project

General Information
The MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) project is part of a suite of innovative awards funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to holistically improve family planning and maternal and child health in partner countries around the world. The project applies best practices and explores innovations to increase equitable immunization coverage in USAID-supported countries around the globe. It works to build countries’ capacity to identify and overcome barriers to reaching zero-dose and underimmunized children and older populations with life-saving vaccines and other integrated health services. M-RITE works at multiple levels and in alignment with global strategies such as the Immunization Agenda 2030 and Gavi 5.0.

The project also contributes to ongoing global efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on immunization services and support countries to prepare for and introduce vaccines against COVID-19 once they are available. In Nigeria, M-RITE works to strengthen routine immunization (RI) services and supports COVID-19 vaccine rollout at the national level and in 5 focus states. 

Summary

• The Social Behaviour Change and Communication Officer will report to the SSBC Advisor and provide technical support to the field team in all key SBCC, Gender & RI/PHC programmatic areas. S/he will work with the M-RITE team to support the implementation of all the M-RITE programs according to the approved work plan to ensure the achievement of strategic goals and objectives. 
• The Social and Behaviour Change Communication Officer's role will be community-based in all M-RITE intervention areas to promote key transformative RI/PHC awareness programs through adapting RI/PHC behaviour change strategies. 

Responsibilities

• The Social Behaviour Change and Communication Officer will provide technical expertise in social behaviour change communication areas with a special focus on RI/PHC.
• Support the SBCC Advisor in the design of the M-RITE SBCC model and lead in the implementation of all SBCC campaigns to increase community level of awareness on key RI/PHC behaviour change through various transformative practices and learning processes.
• Develop all SBCC training materials, and curriculum alongside a robust messaging plan focusing on RI/PHC behaviour change while ensuring adaptability to local context using appropriate communication tools.
• Identify and establish a strong working relationship with other project partners to support the M-RITE project with the intervention communities.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming in all elements of planning and implementation of the M-RITE activities, communication, and promotion of social inclusion/equity for all women in the intervention communities.
• Lead in the planning, coordination, and implementation of RI/PHC activities to promote improved utilization of RI/PHC services.
• Oversee  the establishment of community-based caregivers group and conduct monthly meetings with care groups to promote improved utilization of RI/PHC among women-pregnant and lactating mothers, young girls(adolescents), caregivers, and women with children under age 5.
• Support the STL in a strong community advocacy engagement for SBCC activities and lead all mobilization and periodic sensitization of community members on the M-RITE SBCC activities.
• Lead the commemoration of global & RI/PHC events that strongly aligns the M-RITE goals and objectives with a special focus on gender and hygiene.
• Share learning and developments on SBCC using various media platforms.
• Provide weekly field reports, contribute to monthly Activity Progress Reports, document and share lessons learned, success stories, community feedback as well as general situational awareness within the communities.
• Support the Monitoring & Evaluation team to track program activities and deliver surveys, assessments, and other monitoring activities to ensure that interventions are on-track for progress and increased impact.
• Work closely with community structures for implementation of all M-RITE programs through effective community mobilization and sensitization for community-led RI/PHC activities with a focus on achieving M-RITE strategic objectives.
• Maintain successful relationships between the M-RITE project and community associations, community leaders, and other key stakeholders in the host community while working in the field.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health, Food Science and Technology, Development Studies, Sociology, Rural Development or any related studies.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in a similar role of implementing SBCC programs with rural farmers, particularly women and youths preferably in a Non-profit Organization.
• Must possess excellent communication skills and farmer training capacity with strong knowledge in SBCC at the state level, RI/PHC, WASH, Health Education, and Nutrition.
• Candidates fluent in English and Hausa are preferred.
• Good working knowledge of Northwest/east Nigeria.

Remuneration

• JSI offers competitive salary and benefits.

Application Closing Date
25th January, 2023.