SBCC Consultants (Kebbi) at Malaria Consortium (MC)

Malaria Consortium (MC) is one of the world's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to the comprehensive control of malaria and other communicable diseases in Africa and Southeast Asia. Malaria Consortium works with communities, government and non-government agencies, academic institutions, and local and international organizations, to ensure good evidence supports delivery of effective services, providing technical support for monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities for evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning. The organization works to improve not only the health of the individual, but also the capacity of National health systems, which helps to relieve poverty and support improved economic prosperity.

In Nigeria, twenty – one (21) states across the Sahel and non–Sahelian zone have seasonal malaria transmission, with most of the disease burden occurring during a distinct rainy season. Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is a key approach to prevent malaria among children aged 3 to 59 months in such areas where malaria transmission is highly seasonal. SMC involves the administration of monthly treatment courses of a combination of antimalarial drugs (over 4 or 5 monthly cycles depending on the duration of the malaria transmission season specific to a given geographical area) with the objective of maintaining therapeutic antimalarial drug concentrations in the blood throughout the period of transmission (rainy season) to prevent malaria.

The Malaria Consortium SMC Project is currently funded by a grant from Global Fund and the Open Philanthropy Project Fund (PF). This term of reference (ToR) is however focused on 2025 SMC delivery in Kebbi state (21 LGAs). The SMC campaign will commence with microplanning in March and the implementation is scheduled to be from May 2025 - November 2025. In addition to SMC campaign being deployed in Kebbi state, 2 additional projects that are leveraging in SMC campaign are presently ongoing in the state – implementation research on malaria vaccination (ENHANCE Project) and co-implementation of SMC and AZM mass drug distribution (SARMAAN II Project).

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: SBCC Consultant

Location: Kebbi

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this consultancy is to support MC in the planning and implementation of the 2025 SMC campaign in Kebbi state by providing technical assistance and oversight on SMC activities to the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) during the SMC campaigns. 
• They would serve as members of the State SMC SBCC team provide state-level technical assistance and oversight on demand creation-related activities for the successful coordination of the 2025 SMC campaigns. 
• Working with the relevant State agencies (SMEP/PHCDA), the consultants will serve as SBCC focal points and support SMC key activities including adaptation of SBCC materials, planning for engagement activities, development of SBCC materials and tools, facilitation, capacity-building of SBCC related personnel, monitoring, and reporting on overall SBCC activities in Kebbi state.

Scope of Assignment

• Technical support would cover all the LGAs of Kebbi state. The activity will commence withthe development of advocacy plans and conclude after the last cycle of distribution for the year with the submission of a report.
• Furthermore, due to the peculiarity of the state in which there are 2 other co-existing MC projects that are leveraging on SMC - SARMAAN II and ENHANCE Project; as appropriate periods during the 2025 SMC round, the SBCC consultants will work with Demand Creation Consultant and respective Project teams in the implementation of the SBCC strategies being deployed in their respective projects.

Methodology:

• The technical support would be via a combination of physical or virtual participation in planning and implementation activities including off site trainings, 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 SBCC related activities with support from the State Project Manager (SPM). Data collection and reporting would be via the standard SMC campaign forms, platforms, tools, and MC standard reporting template.

Specific Objectives
SBCC Consultants:
Context-Specific Demand Creation Materials:

• Emphasize preventive measures such as SMC adherence, mosquito net use, and environmental management in farming areas.
• Develop and adapt demand creation materials that address malaria risks associated with rice farming and irrigation, ensuring messages resonate with farmers, agricultural extension workers, and local communities.

Incorporate tailored social and behavior change communication strategies to address Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop targeted advocacy strategies focusing on local farming cooperatives, irrigation associations, market leaders, and traditional rulers to promote SMC uptake.
• Strengthen collaboration with community leaders, religious figures, and agricultural groups to foster ownership and sustained engagement in malaria prevention.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) for health workers, agricultural extension officers, and community mobilizers to enhance malaria awareness and SMC promotion.
• Ensure farmers, cooperatives, and key local influencers receive training on integrating malaria prevention into farming activities.

Media Engagement and Information Dissemination:

• Develop and execute localized media plans, leveraging state-specific communication channels that reach the target audience.
• Engage TV/radio, print, and digital platforms to ensure effective dissemination of malaria prevention and SMC adherence messages.

Community-Level SBCC Personnel Selection and Deployment:

• Support LGA teams in identifying and training local malaria champions, including lead farmers, cooperative heads, and community health volunteers.
• Oversee their deployment to ensure effective demand creation in farming settlements and remote villages.

Influencer and Key Stakeholder Identification:

• Identify and engage farm owners, irrigation scheme managers, market leaders, and local influencers as SMC advocates.
• Utilize their networks to enhance community participation and adherence to SMC.

Monitoring and Evaluation of SBCC Activities:

• Track and monitor community engagement activities using state-specific SBCC monitoring tools.
• Assess the reach and effectiveness of demand creation strategies in high-risk malaria zones, especially farming clusters.

State and LGA-Level Engagements:

• Provide technical support for state and LGA flag-off events, ensuring key agricultural and community stakeholders participate.
• Adapt engagement strategies to local cultural norms and farming schedules for maximum impact.

Post-Campaign SBCC Planning and Reinforcement:

• Develop sustainability strategies to reinforce malaria prevention practices among farmers beyond the SMC cycle.
• Utilize existing malaria data and feedback to refine outreach approaches for future campaigns.

Reporting and Documentation:

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

Expected Output / Deliverables
Deliverables SBCC Consultants:

• SBCC campaign workplan
• Adapted demand creation materials within 2 days from conclusion of the workplan development meeting with MC state team and SMEP SBCC team.
• 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.
• Demand creation report during the SMC campaign submitted to the SPM at the end of the exercise in a state.
• Media Engagement Plan and summary of executed media activities
• Detailed consultancy report on MC report template, clearly highlighting specific tasks/role during the activity submitted at least 7days after completion of the activity.

Type of personnel required: SBCC 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 SMC or similar campaigns (LLINs, 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 of SPAQ.

Application Closing Date
2nd June, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• For this position, previous working experience with MC and in SMC are added advantages.
• Kindly note that applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Kindly note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as a result, the process may conclude before the advertised deadline. Therefore, early applications are highly encouraged.
• Malaria Consortium does not accept or ask for payment during recruitment. We also would not accept hardcopy CVs; all applications should be sent through the above link.