Social Behavior Change and Communications (SBCC) Advisor at FHI360 NGO

Job Description

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: LINKAGES Social Behavior Change and Communications (SBCC)

Advisor Description:

Linkages Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES), is a USAID funded cooperative agreement under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. LINKAGES is implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with Pact, Intra Health International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and conducts a range of activities to reduce HIV transmission among key populations (KP) — sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons and people who inject drugs — and improve their enrollment and retention in care and treatment across the HIV cascade. LINKAGES will accelerate the ability of governments, key population leaders, organizations working with key populations, and private-sector providers to plan and implement services that reduce HIV transmission among key populations and their sexual partners and extend the lives of those already living with HIV. Suitably qualified candidates openly living with HIV and/or who are representative of the key populations affected by HIV are also actively encouraged to apply.

Job Summary / Responsibilities:

The LINKAGES Social Behavior Change and Communications Advisor provides technical oversight and assistance to the project in the areas of social and behavior change communication (SBCC), capacity strengthening, community mobilization, social media strategies and advocacy. The SBCC advisor ensures SBCC efforts are evidence-based, community-driven and contribute to the deliverables in the annual LINKAGES implementation plan. This position is critical for the development of quality and evidence-based approaches for the mobile outreach HIV and STI testing and counselling, referrals, condoms and lubricants distribution, peer outreach and navigation activities for MSM, FSW and TG persons. The SBBC Advisor is responsible for managing communication and social media activities related to the HIV cascade of services, including prevention efforts to improve access to services and products for key populations. The position is responsible for managing technical assistance in communications and social media and ensuring that implementation plans are on schedule and deliverables are achieved on time. The SBBC Advisor will develop mobile communication and social media strategies and work plans with partners, ensuring that new social media technologies are being incorporated into intervention strategies, and that these strategies are effective in connecting key populations to services and improving key behaviors. The SBBC Advisor will liaise and coordinate with partners and/or other organizations/institutions relevant to LINKAGES communications, social media, and social marketing activities; assemble communications, social media, and social marketing component of Monthly and Quarterly Reports and success stories.

The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya nationals currently based in the region are encouraged to apply.

The Advisor will be responsible for the following functions:

• Leads the design, implementation and monitoring of SBCC/health communication strategies and activities with clear behavioral objectives and outcomes.
• This includes mass media, social media, ICT, interpersonal communication, advocacy and community mobilization Strengthen partner capacity in using innovative strategies such as mobile technology and other social media platforms to reach and track MSM, FSW and TG persons in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.
• Supports program staff and partners to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate evidence-based SBCC plans that use a combination of approaches, and are solidly grounded on behavioral theory and formative research;
• Strengthens the capacity of county KP TWGs and Implementing partners operating in LINKAGES regions in Kenya in the design, implementation and monitoring of SBCC/Health communication;
• Plan and produce compelling content for print, digital and online publications, including writing and editing of internal and external publications, website, presentations and other forms of communication.
• Review and edit all publications produced by the project to ensure consistency, clarity and brand alignment. Assist partners in strengthening their learning through learning forums within the subject matter of Knowledge Management and Knowledge Sharing.
• Establish and maintain relationships with regional media (radio and TV) and agenda set project objectives for news and feature coverage.
• Monitor news relating to project inputs, outcome, and impact and other development issues from print and broadcast media.
• Contributes to the development of Scopes of Work (SOW), memorandums of understanding (MOUs), technical management of activities for consultants and local institutions partnering with LINKAGES to ensure that activity timeframes and budgets are met and products are reviewed and finalized.
• Identifies and pursues local and international best practices in innovative and cross-cutting communication initiatives around multiple health areas focusing on the HIV cascade as well as additional services for KP (i.e. family planning, STI prevention).
• Represents LINKAGES in relevant key high level technical working groups, meetings and conferences;
• Contributes to the development of donor reporting, proposals, success stories, publications;
• Works with M&E staff to design and implement strategies to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of SBCC/health communication programming;
• Contributes to development of project work plans and M&E plans;
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies, bilateral and other NGOs;

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Health or social sciences (preferably Communication, Media, Information Science, and Development Studies) or related field or equivalent from a recognized university.
• 5 to 7 years of demonstrated behavior change communication, mobilization and advocacy key population group technical expertise, with substantial HIV prevention, care, and treatment experience with female sex workers, and/or men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals using mobile technology and implementing communications activities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated excellence in a technical advisor and leadership position, preferably in an international development context and working with key population groups.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Experience with U.S. government rules and regulations and experience working in an international NGO/PVO environment desirable.
• Previous experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is strongly preferred; Kenya experience is a plus.
• Proven skills in the implementation of SBCC driven HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs for female sex workers, and/or men who have sex with men, and transgender persons in Kenya or other countries in the region.
• Knowledge of processes for developing and implementing HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs with key population groups in Kenya.
• Understands the HIV-related needs of key population groups in Kenya, including female sex workers, and/or men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals and have worked to support and implement activities to reduce stigma and discrimination.
• Design, implementation, and management of public health/international development programs funded by USAID.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding public health issues among key populations in Kenya.
• Ability to manage and complete numerous tasks with a high degree of organization and limited resources.
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• Experience working with civil society organizations to plan and implement HIV behavior change communication activities including condom and lubricants distribution.
• Experience of proactively identifying risk, addressing issues and appropriately communicating these to the project staff and USAID.
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different organizations and cultures.
• Experience identifying, designing and brokering public-private partnerships.
• Ability to meet deadlines with strong attention to consistency, detail, and quality. Ability to travel within country or region and internationally if needed.
• Knowledge of PEPFAR programming and reporting preferred.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.