Senior Technical Officer (Social Behavioral Change) - Preparedness For Vaccine Preventable Disease at the African Union (AU) - 9 Openings

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer (Social Behavioral Change) - Preparedness For Vaccine Preventable Disease

Requisition ID: 2461
Locations: Abuja, Nairobi, Kenya, Libreville, Gabon, Lusaka, Zambia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Northern)
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type:  Fixed Term
Division: Emergency, Preparedness & Response
Reports to: Head of Social Behavioral Change Communication
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC

Purpose of Job

• The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, Solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of African and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia. 
• In seeking to achieve this objective and deliver on this mandate, the Africa CDC, is building strong, trustful and respectful partnership with other public health organizations. In this regards, Africa CDC and GAVI have signed a memorandum of understanding highlighting 7 shared priorities including (1) Scale up Routine Immunisation (2) Build public trust and confidence in routine immunisation and COVID-19 (3) Facilitation of efficient regulatory pathways and timely authorisations of vaccines and efficient, effective pharmacovigilance (4) Strengthen diagnostic and disease surveillance capacity for epidemic prone vaccine preventable diseases (5) Engagement on the continental vision to expand vaccine manufacturing in Africa (6) Information sharing, coordination and aligned public communication on vaccine-related goals and (7) strengthen Pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.  
• The implement this MoU, Africa CDC and GAVI have developed a two-years operational Joint Action Plan (JAP) with detailed activities. The Africa CDC therefore seeks to recruit a national and citizen of any Member State of the African Union to the position of Senior Technical Officer (Senior Social Behavioral Change Officer)-Preparedness for Vaccine Preventable Disease within the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division.

Main Functions

• Under direct supervision of the head of social behavioural change, the Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for provide technical guidance on vaccine preventable disease surveillance, prevention and control, by providing data from communities that support the Building of Public trsut in vaccination a key aspect of the  Africa CDC-GAVI Joint Action Plan. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Specifically, the Senior Technical Officer shall perform the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Collect and synthesise data using BeSD tools to guide on the roll out of vaccine preventable disease prevention and control 
• The holder incumbent will be expected to provide technical support to activities related to social mobilization, demand generation and related functions.
• Contribute to information that guides behavior change communication for social mobilization, community engagement and behaviour change 
• Support the risk communication and community engagement team to develop plans and activities to increase demand for vaccination and RI services
• Support the development/implementation of SBC strategy with approaches, plans and activities geared towards increasing demand for vaccination and RI services.
• Participate in the development of demand strategy founded on sound evidence based on studies with clear objectives, approaches, plans, activities, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
• To support Vaccination activities to improve demand through advocacy, social mobilization, and community engagement initiatives.
• Promotion of Appropriate use of SBC principles and approaches
• Together with the head of SBC, use data to promote appropriate use of SBC approaches, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action as well as policy advice. 
• Support the GAVI alliance partners in the strategic use of communication for social development to ensure optimum leverage and impact of communication activities on programme, policy and advocacy activities.
• Working with the M&E team, monitors and evaluates activities based on applied targeted communication research and frequent visits to project sites.  
• Carry out SBC advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, such as religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists and other organized groups at all public health levels  
• Work with Senior Gender Equality Officer to promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable program results for vaccination and  improved routine immunization, and children and women’s rights, equity and well-being. 
• Participate in the adaptation of existing GAVI alliance partners strategy, approaches, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication 
• Support the coordination of Africa CDC Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention and Response activities
• Support African Union Member states in development and implementation of national action plans for the use behavioural data including social listening for disease specific eliminations plans/strategies…
• Conduct regular community risk assessment

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
Education Qualifications:

• A Masters University degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with seven (7) years of relevant experience with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, and participatory communication, and research, 
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, behavioral sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with 10 years of work experience with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, and participatory communication, and research, 
• Training in SBC and implementation in SBC, social mobilization and behavioral change. Training in inter-disciplinary approach in programme communication.

Knowledge and experience:

• Minimum 5 years relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including 2 years in with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes Demonstrable experience in research in public health field such emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and vaccine preventable diseases
• Experience of statistical analyses and advanced analytical epidemiology.
• Experience of teaching and training
• Experience working with an international organization is a valuable asset. 
• Previous experience working in Africa that reflects an in-depth knowledge of infection prevention and control will be an added advantage 

Functional Skills:

• Demonstrable technical expertise and experience in supporting and/or managing complex, public health programmes with special emphasis on infection prevention and control
• Skills in programme monitoring and evaluation is an asset.
• Demonstrable skills to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate resource management support requirements. 
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure. 
• Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations, briefings and report for both technical and lay audiences 
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries. 
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds. 
• Demonstrable proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, data visualization and statistical packages as well as data analysis skills are mandatory. 

Personal Abilities:

• Ability to work under pressure, stay on track and meet deadlines 
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities 
• Proven ability to produce precise and intelligible reports and office briefs in line with the requirements of the Africa CDC. 
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment 
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit 
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible 
• Pro-active and solutions oriented 
• Knowledge of results-based management 

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstreaming:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Language:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$  96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
7th November, 2024.

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

Click Here to Download CV Template (MS Word)

Note

• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
• Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), Master's degrees (Bac+5) and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.