Social and Behavior Change Communications Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development(USAID)

The USAID/Nigeria in Abuja is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below in the Health, Population, and Nutrition Office:

Job Title: Social and Behavior Change Communications Specialist, FSN-10

Location: Abuja
Work Hours: Full-Time; 40 hours/week

Basic Function of the Position

• The Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Project Management Specialist provides technical and programmatic SBCC expertise to the Health,
• Population, and Nutrition (HPN) Office under the supervision of the HPN Director or his/her designee.
• The main responsibilities of the position are project management and provision of SBCC technical knowledge to members of the HPN Office. This includes acting as an Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR)/Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for bilateral agreements or contracts and as an Activity Manager for field support activities, participating in the design of new programs and projects, monitoring and evaluating on-going programs, and advising USAID/Nigeria and other stakeholders on best practices for SBCC.
• Additionally, he/she will participate in relevant sector-wide technical working groups with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other donors, and will help USAID/Nigeria to integrate evidence based, state-of-the-art health communications and SBCC activities into malaria; family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH); and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), and other health programs, as needed.

Position Requirements
Note: All applicants MUST address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each criterion or the application will not be considered:

• University degree in any of the following: Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology or university-level course work in Social and Behavior Change Communications Specialist (SBCC) is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience working in a health organization, particularly in the areas of malaria, maternal and child health  (MCH) and/or family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) in Nigeria.
• At least, three (3) years of this experience should be in the planning, developing, implementation, and evaluation of integrated health programs for donor organizations, or Nigeria public or private sector institutions. Professional experience developing, executing and evaluating SBCC activities are required.
• Level IV (Fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing in English Language is required. Language proficiency will be tested. Level III (Good working knowledge) Hausa language is required. This will be tested.
• State of art, specialized knowledge of technical and programmatic approaches in public health, SBCC, program management strategies, and monitoring and evaluation method.
• Knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of Nigerian malaria control, MCH or FP/RH policies and programs.
• Thorough knowledge of Nigerian economic, political, social and cultural characteristics and the history of development assistance in particular as it relates to health in Nigeria, including current trends and directions are required.
• Must be able to work effectively with mid-and senior-level public and private sector officials from the Government of Nigeria (GoN) and Implementing Partners (IPs), team Player.
• Diplomacy, tact and cultural sensitivity, excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and stay organized in a complex, frequently changing environment are required.
• Must be able to travel throughout Nigeria up to 30 percent of the time.
• Proficient computer skills, excellent writing skills and demonstrated advanced analytical skills and problem solving, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict are required.

Hiring Preference Selection Process
When qualified, applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP**

Importation Information

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans' preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.
• If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans' preference will not be considered in the application process.
• Mission HR's decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.
• This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

Selection Process
When fully qualified, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and U.S. Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.

Additional Selection Criteria

• Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report (EPR) are not eligible to apply
• Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule
• The candidate must be able to obtain and hold the local security certification after selection.
• Candidates who are EFMs, USEFMs, AEFMs, or MOHs must have at least one year remaining on their sponsor’s tour of duty to be considered eligible to apply for this position.

Salary
OR - Ordinarily Resident - N8,795,684 p.a (Starting basic salary) Position Grade: FSN-10
In addition to the basic salary, all allowances will be paid in accordance with the Mission Local Compensation Plan.

Application Closing Date
18th May, 2016.

How To Apply
Interested applicants for this position MUST submit the following, or the application will not be considered:

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS-174; plus,
• Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
• Any other documentation such as degrees or diplomas earned and NYSC Certificates/exemptions or awards.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submissions to one entry/e-mail not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures.
• E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Submit Application to: [email protected]

Point of Contact: Tel: 09-461-400009-461-4000 Ext 4261

Click here to download the Position Decriptions (PDF)

Click here to download Application Form for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) (PDF 1.78 MB)

Click here to download the Instructions for Completing DS-174 (PDF 2.40 MB)

Note:

• Mailed (paper/hard copies) applications will NOT be accepted.
• All not ordinarily resident applicants must have the required work and residency permits to be eligible for Consideration. A U.S. Citizen EFM does not have to be residing in country to be considered, but the sponsoring officer under chief of mission (com) authority does have to Be assigned officially to post.