Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist (Nut and WASH)

11-June-2024

About Action Against Hunger 

Action Against Hunger-USA is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children and we enable entire communities to be free from hunger. With more than 8,000 staff in over 50 countries, our programs reached 17 million people in 2019. 

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others. 

I. Summary of Position 

The Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Specialist will be responsible for providing overall technical assistance for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SBC interventions under the direct supervision of the head of Nutrition and Health and WASH Departments. S/he will be based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel to field (at least 50%).  S/he in collaboration with an external consultant, program team and partners in the field will design context specific SBC interventions focusing on digitalized Adolescent, Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (AMIYCN)- SBC interventions and ensure effective implementation using the right tools and methods. The candidate will subsequently confirm the documentation of innovative activities, best practices and learning to scale up SBC interventions in additional intervention areas or refugee camps and to inform the development of effective SBC strategies, frameworks, tools, and materials primarily for Nutrition and Health sectors, but also for Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), WASH and MHPSS, Protection and Gender sectors. Besides, s/he will conduct regular field visits to Gambella refugee camps and host communities as well as ACF bases, provides technical guidance and recommendations on on-going SBC activities for program staff. In addition, the Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist will serve as the main in-country point of contact for all matters related to nutrition & WASH SBC. Furthermore, s/he will play a strategic role in improving the SBC positioning of Action Against Hunger Ethiopia mission for nutrition, WASH and other sectoral actions and contributes to its growth.

Purpose: the Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist will be primarily responsible for implementing the SBC intervention planned in UNHCR refugee camp response as well as in ACF bases. Provides technical support in Nutrition Social Behavior Change (SBC) Intervention in selected refugee camps in Gambella in collaboration with the Nutrition and Health Department program team. 

Engagement: Engages internally with the Health and Nutrition Department program team and WASH program team but could engage with MEAL, Finance, Grants, Logistics departments as well as HQ and HEARO Social Behavioral Change focal persons on regular basis during the implementation of the project. Externally the incumbent is expected to engage with MoH, Nutrition and Health Cluster coordination platforms as well as SBC TWGs. 

Delivery: Delivers technical training, strategic advice and documents, and mentors program staff on the use of formative research findings, SBCC tools. S/he will further make programmatic recommendations and periodic assessments and appraisals regarding SBC activities in close consultation with partners and the head of Nutrition and Health Department and WASH Department.  

II. Essential job duties 

• Provide technical direction to define SBC approaches and activities to mainstream the promotion of optimal MIYCN behaviors by frontline workers in refugee camps and host communities. 
• Design and provide technical direction to WASH SBC strategy, approaches and activities

• Develop SBC packages (framework, tools, messages and materials) primarily on Nutrition and Health, and WASH but also on Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), and MHPSS, Protection and Gender sectors in consultation with respective department experts. 

• Develop detailed implementation plans (DIP) for SBC interventions and ensure high quality and timeline delivery of deliverables against intended objectives, targets, and timelines. 

• Develop project procurement plan (PPP), and supply plan (SP) as needed. 

• Develop WASH SBC strategy, develop approaches for effective WASH SBC by taking in to account WASH and nutrition integration, Baby WASH, WASH’Em, and WASH in health facility to maximizing the impact of WASH on improving nutrition status and disease prevention 

• Regularly follow project budget utilization pertaining to SBC interventions in collaboration with finance department and program team based on latest budget follow up Units (BFUs) and provide regular guidance and support to base team for efficient budget utilization. 

• Build the capacity of ACF program team and frontline workers in SBC, including organizing SBC Training of Trainers (ToTs) and providing regular technical guidance and support for project and government staff through mentoring, coaching, and on-demand technical assistance.

• Provide oversight to the SBC program components under UNHCR-PPA, including undertaking field visits to oversee implementation, provide on-site feedback on required improvements, and generate field visit reports with timely and appropriate follow up on action points. 

• Develop ToR and concept note to hire SBC consultant to develop a digital SBC content and training manuals in the context of refugee camps fulfilling the desired quality standard. 

• Provide technical training, strategic advice, and operational support on Social and Behavior Change relating to Adolescent, Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (AMIYCN), sanitation and hygiene and nutrition, and Food Security and Livelihood.

• Ensure adequate coordination between various departments for SBC intervention through either establishing and leading on multi-sectoral SBC approach or providing substantial technical support to FSL, WASH and MHPSS, Protection and Gender sector/ Departments.  

• Support Nurturing Care Group (NCG), Quality of Care and multi-sectoral responses as well as initiatives in the NH department and in the mission. 

• Conduct or oversee formative research activities (often specifically Barrier Analysis), mentor program team, partners, and key actors on the use of formative research findings.

• Promote and ensure integration of Action Against Hunger gender transformative vision and GBV mitigation good practices within SBC activities.

• Engage and actively participate in global, national and sub-national level SBC TWGs, networks and similar forums.

• Provides update on SBC initiatives and shares relevant meeting notes from SBC coordination platforms and meetings to capital and base team. 

• Support Nurturing Care Group (NCG) and Quality of Care and multi-sectoral response.   

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities are envisaged in this role. However, the position will collaborate with Action Against Hunger-USA team, government and other stakeholders in demand creation for services and behavior change for optimal nutrition impact in Ethiopia and specifically in Action Against Hunger operational areas. 

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

• Undertake budget follow up for the project activity in close consultation with Head of Department for Nutrition and Health and Head of WASH Department, finance focal person and field level program team. 

V. Physical Demands 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of an operational base. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

VII. Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

VIII. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)

• Beware of minimum operating standards of SEA 

• Protect and prevent others from SEA.

• Report SEA.

• Strictly comply with AAH child protection and SEA policies. 

IX. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Relations, Public Health, Environmental Health or related fields and at least 5 years of relevant work experience  or 

• Master’s or other advanced degree in similar field of study and more than 3 years of relevant work experience in designing, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Nutrition, Health and WASH SBCC strategies and materials as well as related training. 

• Experienced in pre-testing and concept testing of SBC approaches and content.

• Previous work experience in humanitarian and development Nutrition and Health SBC and WASH SBC interventions in INGO is advantageous.  

X. Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational skills, and ability to lead a stream of work. 
• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multi-cultural team. 
• Ability to think creatively and strategically. 
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).). 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate closely with government staff, effectively manage their expectations, and builds capacity.
• Knowledge and skills of MS Office Suite is required and skills on other graphics designing software is desirable. 
• Genuine interest and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.
• Proven abilities to set priorities, to multi-task, and to work collaboratively across technical disciplines. 

Language:

• Fluency in English is compulsory. 
• Knowledge of Amharic and other local languages is an advantage. 

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of nonreturnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist (Nut and WASH)-Addis Ababa” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through www.ethiojobs.net 

Deadline: Friday 21- June - 2024

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview