Center for Communication Programs Cluster SBCC Officer

P O S I T I O N   D E S C R I P T I O N

Position Title:              Cluster SBCC Officer

 

Reports To:                  District Coordinator for day to day activities, logistics support/ SBCC Specialist or SBCC Program Officer for SBCC technical supportive supervision

 

Overview:

 

Suaahara (Good Nutrition), a five year (2011-2016) USAID-funded program, uniquely integrates nutrition, hygiene, agriculture, family planning, reproductive and child health activities at the household and community level in 20 rural districts with poor nutrition indicators. With a mandate to address stunting, Suaahara is focusing on the first 1,000 days, directly addressing the vulnerable points of development which result in stunting. Its overall goal is to improve the nutritional status of women and children under two years of age.  Harmonized with the Multi-Sectoral Plan, Suaahara’s work will support the efforts of the government of Nepal which promote improved nutritional status. 

 

Suaahara partners include Save the Children (prime), Helen Keller International, Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs, Nepali Technical Assistance Group, Nutrition Promotion and Consultancy Service and Nepal Water for Health.   Each of the partners brings unique skills and experience to support the full integration of nutrition, agriculture, hygiene and sanitation and health activities.

 

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health/ Center for Communication Programs (CCP) is responsible for the development and implementation of social and behavior change communication (SBCC) activities for the project. CCP is looking for individuals with previous experience in strategic health communication and knowledge management (especially in nutrition, sanitation and food production) to form a team of Cluster SBCC Officers.   Candidates should be team players who have the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple partners. 

 

The Cluster SBCC Officer will be responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of social and behavioral change communication activities for the districts in his/her region. TheCluster SBCC Officer will coordinate with the SBCC Capacity Building Specialist and SBCC Program Officer in Kathmandu, along with counterparts in their districts to carry out the SBCC activities. TheCluster SBCC Officer will report to the district coordinator they are based in for day to day activities and logistics support.

 

The five Cluster SBCC Officers will oversee the following regions and will be based in the denoted districts:

·         Far West (based in Bajhang): Darchula, Bajhang, Bajura

·         West (1) (based in Lamjung): Manang , Lamjung , Gorkha , Rupendehi, Nawalparasi

·         West (2) (based in Baglung): Baglung , Myagdi, Parbat, Syangja and Mustang

·         Central (based in Sindhupalchok): Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Solukhumbhu

·         East (based in Sankhuwasabha): Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur

 

Essential  Job Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

·         Implement and monitor all project-related SBCC activities at the district and VDC (village development committee) level, including community-level mobilization activities and mass media, localization of print and audiovisual materials, use of information communication technologies.

·         Provide supportive inputs to district teams and local NGO (LNGO) staff for SBCC, social mobilization, demand generation and advocacy activities for integrated nutrition programming as necessary. 

·         Provide support to district teams for planning/designing and implementation of SBCC activities/campaigns at local level.

·         Assist in the development of district specific SBCC strategies and work plans.

·         Coordinate with team members to monitor and evaluate SBCC activities.

·         Support for the district teams’ (Suaahara district team, local media, LNGOs ) capacity for designing and implementing SBCC campaigns through partnership and demonstration.

·         Ensure the quality and best use of SBCC materials.

·         Attend meetings and represent the SBCC initiatives of the project in district with government officials, partners, international donors, NGOs and commercial sector representatives.

·         Liaise with Senior implementation Manager to support social mobilization and VDC block grant advocacy activities of the project.

·         Seek, select, engage and monitor qualified local and regional consultants and agencies to provide technical assistance in support of the project.  

·         Coordinate and manage district and VDC level forum for media advocacy and sensitization of electronic and print media journalists.

·         Explore and identify the possible partners for Public partnership at regional or district level.

·         Initiate media partnerships with local media channels and corporate houses.

 

Qualification, Work Experience and Competencies

 

Education and/or Experience  
                                              

·         Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent; Master’s degree preferred in Health Communication, Public Health, Social Sciences

·         Three to five years related experience in areas of social mobilization, community mobilization, demand generation, media advocacy essential.

·         Prior experience of working on health behavior change communication projects, particularly in the area of maternal and child health and nutrition

 

Language Skills                     
                        

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Nepali.

·         Ability to effectively present information to government officials, funding organization and public groups.

 

Computer Skills 
          

·         MS Word, Excel, MS PowerPoint 

The end posting date: 5 November 2012

ALL CANDIDATES APPLYING TO THIS POSITION MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR CV/RESUME STATING THEIR INTEREST IN THE POSITION AND JUSTIFYING THEIR CANDIDACY.  APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Please have applicants forward their Resumes/CV’s and COVERLETTERS to kshresth@jhuccp.org