Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist at the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)

Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) is one of the leading Nigerian Non-Governmental Organizations implementing programs for improving Reproductive Health and Family planning (RH/FP), Care and Treatment of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria etc. We offer professional opportunities for career advancement, good working environment and competitive remuneration.

We seek applications from qualified candidates for the below position under the Global Fund Malaria Grant- New Funding Model:

Job Title: Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist

Location: Edo
Time Frame: The duration of this consultancy is 60 days and engagement is immediately.

Background

• It is estimated that more than three hundred thousand deaths per annum are caused by malaria in Nigeria. Malaria is responsible for 60% of outpatient visits to health facilities, 11% of maternal deaths and 30% of hospitalization among under 5 children. Ninety Seven percent of the over one hundred and eighty million population is at risk of malaria infection.
• Nigeria has adopted the use of LLINs as an intervention for malaria vector control in the country as part of the Integrated Vector Management Strategy. So far over 60 million LLINs have been distributed in country through mass campaigns between 2009 and 2013. About 3 million LLINs have also been distributed through the continuous distribution channels.
• However, one major challenge is getting individuals and communities to sleep inside these nets, even beyond the LLIN distribution periods. Efforts have been made through advocacy, communication and social mobilization to empower people for decision making and action. This often requires working on socio-cultural beliefs to facilitate shifts in mind-sets, and ultimately increase the utilization of malaria interventions and services including LLINs.
• However, despite this huge effort, the LLIN use in-country remains unacceptably low. To change this low net use situation, NMEP and CRS through Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) plans to conduct a post campaign BCC intervention, intended to promote and sustain a culture of net use in Edo state, South-South, Nigeria.
• Association for Reproductive and Family Health has been selected as the BCC consultant to implement post campaign BCC activities in Edo state.

Job Description

• The SBCC specialist will be based in Edo state and reports to the State Program Officer.
• Ensure high level advocacy is carried out at the state, LGA and Community level based on National Malaria ACSM guidelines.
• Will be involved in developing and implementing innovative SBCC strategies for ARFH during the post LLIN campaign BCC activities.

Responsibilities
Task and responsibilities for this position includes but are not limited to:

• Carry out along with ARFH and state team advocacy to relevant stakeholders
• Under the technical direction of the Program officer, will ensure standard SBCC tools and materials are utilized through lifespan of project.
• Assist the ARFH and state team in providing support on crosscutting issues, providing TA to the ACSM branch of SMEP in line with project priorities.
• Assist the team to develop creative initiatives to ensure that project goals are met.
• Ensure documentation of all SBCC activities, meeting reports, training, and workshops, and also contribute to the development of project weekly reports.
• Ensure the appropriate cadre of personnel are short listed and trained.
• Able to represent ARFH at relevant platforms related to the project in the state.
• Ensure that all project BCC documents and other information required for program implementation and reporting are prepared and submitted on time and in compliance with the requirements of the grant.
• Work with monitoring and evaluation staff to track progress towards the delivery of programme outputs, paying special attention to the objective of documenting the success (e.g. significant change stories) with a view to providing evidence of outcomes and demonstrate value for money.

Qualifications
Successful candidate will have:

• At least a First degree or equivalent in Social Sciences or Liberal Arts or other related field. A masters in Communication or Public Health will be an added advantage.
• At least five years post-National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) experience, some of which should be in malaria program management, advocacy, and capacity building.
• Good interpersonal and time management skills.
• Excellent creative instincts and the ability to originate new ideas.
• Ability to work under pressure with little or no supervision.
• A full command and up to date knowledge of both written and spoken English, and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent grounding in SBCC programming and in-depth understanding of capacity building approaches.
• Computer literacy especially of Microsoft office with ability to generate quality report for activities.

Application Closing Date
27th September, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Cover Letter indicating their suitability for the position applied for with a detailed 3-page Resume in a single file word document to: [email protected] The "Job Title and Location" must be expressly stated as the subject of the email.

Note

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Applicants are advised to provide their functional emails/mobile phone numbers on the application letter as well as three professional referees.
• Candidates must provide functional e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of the referees.
• Eligible female applicants are encouraged to apply. ARFH has a Child Safeguarding policy in place and is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).