Behavior Change & Communications Manager

International Relief and Development, Inc. (IRD) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization responsible for implementing relief, stabilization, and development programs worldwide. Their mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. Specializing in meeting the needs of communities emerging from conflict or natural disaster, IRD collaborates with a wide range of partners and donors, local organizations, and many others to deliver sustainable services. IRD has offices and activities in nearly 40 countries in Europe and Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia and the Pacific. IRD works in seven key service areas: community stabilization, infrastructure, health, agriculture, democracy and governance, relief, and logistics.

Summary:

The Behavior Change & Communications Manager will be the resident behavior change specialist on the team for the DFID-funded Climate Change Adaptation project in Mali. Based full-time in Mopti, this position will be responsible for managing and directing large communication and capacity-building activities with a focus on adaptation and resilience to climate change. He/she will also have experience employing evidence‐based practices, gender and cultural analysis applied to the development and implementation of social and behavior change activities, specifically in relation to climate change in the Sahel region.

Essential Job Functions:

• Design a Behavior Change Communication (BCC) plan and advise the project team on adoption strategies and activities;

• Mobilize key stakeholders, including national and local authorities as well as local NGOs to advance the adoption of new behaviors and scaling of existing behaviors designed to counteract the effects of climate change and improve populations’ resilience to this phenomenon;

• Analyze the existing environment and identify barriers to and opportunities for the sustainable scale up of adaptations;

• Provide capacity building of staff, partners and key stakeholders including community opinion leaders and NGOs to promote behavior change in rural populations when faced with climate change and encourage the adoption of new agricultural practices;

• Develop and maintain strong liaison with local government bodies.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Master’s degree or its equivalent in climate change and development, population and development, international development, mass communication, marketing or related discipline;

• Five years of experience working on donor-funded projects or scientific research in a related role;

OR

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in climate change and development, population and development, international development, mass communication, marketing or related discipline;

• Seven years of experience working on donor-funded projects or scientific research in a related role;

AND

• 3 years of field experience in under-developed rural environments;

• Advanced understanding of a wide range of capacity building approaches, best practices, and lessons learned; experience in designing and conducting technical and capacity assessment instruments and learning methodologies; excellent leadership and planning skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships at the highest and lowest levels;

• Fluency in English and French;

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience in Mali or Sahel countries;

• Experience working on donor-funded DFID projects;

• Local language skills.

Success Factors:

• Must be innovative and resourceful in responding to the needs of project beneficiaries;

• Demonstrated ability to communicate, take direction, assume leadership, and make rational decisions while working remotely from country leadership;

• Ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and work styles;

• High motivation, initiative, and adaptability;

• An ability to work successfully in remote and challenging settings with limited resources.

Travel Requirements:

• Based in Mopti, 30% field work

Physical Requirements:

• Normal Office Conditions with travel to remote and under-developed areas.

How to apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to malirecruitment@irdglobal.org & agouanle@irdglobal.org. You can also send your application to IRD Country Office at Rue 311 Porte 27 Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Immeuble Arc en Ciel 2e Etage, Bamako Mali. We thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted