Social, Structural & Behavioural Change Officer at Mercy Corps

Position Summary

USAID Nawiri’s SSBC work is central to the sustainable reduction of acute malnutrition. Phase 1 evidence gathering and continuous adaptive learning provides for a unique opportunity to be agile in implementing high quality and effective SBC interventions. USAID Nawiri envisions the position holder to program and implement a multi-sectoral SBC activities that creates nutrition resilience at household level. S/he will work with a multi-disciplinary team, covering resilient livelihood, health and nutrition, GESI, water sanitation and hygiene with the sole objective of reducing acute malnutrition in a sustainable way. The SSBC officer will be responsible for integrating SBC activities in all USAID Nawiri activities at the field implementation level. Specifically, the Officer will conceptualize with clarity and implement contextualized SBC activities at the household and community level while working with system level actors to address the structural barriers to uptake of optimal behaviors. S/he will be responsible for building the necessary skills and competencies of the frontline workers and change agents (include Peer Educators, Youth Counselors, Teachers, Gatekeepers, Opinion Leaders, Positive Deviants (Role Models), CORPs to implement quality SSBC activities. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Take full ownership of SSBC activities at Sub-County/Zone level as detailed in USAID Nawiri’s Theory of Change, Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and budgets, i.e., Analyze and understand the general SSBC dimensions of PAM and steward the design, development, and implementation of customized (County) Nawiri SSBC strategies as guided by research findings, HCD insights and other available relevant programmatic intelligence.
• Technically lead the implementation of USAID Nawiri’s iterative learning and adaptations in regards to SBC activities across all thematic areas.
• Provide technical (SSBC) and general administrative support to all Nawiri technical areas; specifically, support the conceptualization, design, implementation, and reporting needs of the different thematic areas, including the development and implementation of relevant SSBC frameworks, tools, messaging, and distribution of IEC materials in appropriate formats, appropriately customized for program’s target audiences and needs.
• Support in capacity building/strengthening (e.g., Trainings, Supportive/Facilitative Visits, On-Job Trainings, Mentorship and Shadowing) of relevant change agents at Sub-County/Zone level. Develop implementation plans, relevant content, facilitate SSBC training & support follow-on implementation activities.
• In coordination with the sub county coordinators, and technical coordinators, oversee the coordination across implementation teams of the sequencing, layering and integration of household and community dialogues including mapping of content and delivery tools

PROGRAM SUPPORT & IMPLEMENTATION

• Liaise with the Sub-County program team in ensuring that USAID Nawiri’s SSBC Strategy takes cognizance of and is aligned to County priorities and strategic plans. Additionally, assess and map out relevant interventions by partners, government agencies and private sector players and purposefully guide layering/integration of USAID Nawiri’s SSBC interventions in a bid to avoid duplication and improve cost-efficiency and effectiveness at the Sub-County/Zone level.
• Support USAID Nawiri’s Continuous Learning & Adapting (CLA) approach, especially activities with an SSBC dimension; specifically, the identification of critical issues, documentation & analysis of emerging evidence, learnings, and best practices. Thereafter, guide and/or participate in the co-creation and iterative processes that are designed to incorporate the lessons learnt into the agile Nawiri SSBC framework.
• Provide support for the monitoring, collection, storage, analysis (Knowledge Management) and reporting of SSBC data, including achievements against targets, data on program quality and effectiveness and contextual factors influencing program implementation. Submit regular SSBC programmatic reports as required. Additionally, participate in the development and publication of informatics products such as HCD decks, technical briefs, professional articles, success, and Human-Interest Stories (HIS).

TEAM COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATIONS

• Work with USAID Nawiri Officers, consortium partners and Sub-County officials to competently supervise Research Assistants, Healthcare Workers, Community Health Workers (CHWs – CHVs/CHEWs/CHAs), collaborating Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and any other program operatives and/or partners implementing SSBC activities on behalf of the program.
• Liaise with and maintain cordial relationships with partners and Sub-County officials/departments implementing SSBC interventions. Plan for and support the coordination of relevant SSBC mechanisms at Sub-County level including participation and technical support to the Nawiri-fronted Multi-Sectoral Platform (MSP).
• Foster organizational values of efficiency, integrity, professionalism, responsiveness, collaboration, and respectful programming. Develop & manage implementation of SSBC plans in a manner that increases team operating performance & efficiencies according to prescribed protocols & Standard Operating Procedures.

SECURITY

• Ensure that SSBC interventions/activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security at the Sub-County/Zone level.
• Keep the SSBC Senior Officer for Nutrition Resilient updated with regard to the security situation in the program implementation areas and provide advice as to how to manage our presence in this environment.

Supervisory Responsibility

• None

Accountability

• Reports directly to: Social, Structural and Behavior Change (SSBC) Coordinator for Nutrition Resilience (technically); and, with day-to-day supervisory, operational and administrative management reporting to the Program Coordinator & Head of Field Office.
• Works directly with: USAID Nawiri County & Sub-County Field Teams, Nawiri Technical Staff, County Government and County stakeholders and relevant partners (specifically, sub-awardees, CSOs, FBOs, schools/institutions etc.).

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all locations.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable skills

• A degree in Communications, Journalism, Community Development, Marketing, Public Health, Population Studies, Social Sciences, Anthropology or related disciplines.
• At least 5 years of SSBC experience in designing, developing, implementing, monitoring strategies, activities, and materials.
• Experience in conceptualization, design, and implementation of user-centric approaches e.g., HCD and demonstrated experience at testing/pre-testing tools, materials, and strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships across sectors and cultures (cross-cultural skills).
• Demonstrated experience at working with & coordinating county mechanisms & multi-sectoral players.
• Experience and excellent skills at training and facilitating community forums including competence in approaches such as Education Through Listening, Communication for Development and Problem-Posing Techniques.
• Demonstrated experience meeting USAID and other donor reporting requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills; excellent English language writing skills are a must.
• Ability to think critically and strategically.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Office 365 including Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel at least 60 – 80 percent of the time.
• Proficiency of the local languages/dialects is a plus.
• Experience working in ASAL counties of Samburu & Turkana is an added advantage.