SayPro Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Advisory – Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)

IMA World Health, a member of Corus International, is seeking applications for the Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Advisor for the anticipated 5 year $25-50 million USAID-funded Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) in Sierra Leone. SIHSA’s goal is to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and children less than five years old. SIHSA’s objectives are 1) improve the quality of family planning, maternal newborn child and adolescent health, and malaria services sustainably; 2) promote adoption of crucial health behaviors, and 3) strengthen the stewardship and governance of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, both at central and district levels, so it is better prepared to plan, budget, allocate resources and monitor health programs. SIHSA seeks to promote the integration of health services, including malaria services, to rapidly scale-up evidence-based interventions to address preventable causes of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent morbidities and mortality. SIHSA seeks to demonstrate innovative models to catalyze community-driven solutions and show models to promote private sector engagement. Corus International was formed through the strategic merger of IMA World Health (operating as a public health organization since 1960), and Lutheran World Relief (operating as a livelihoods organization since 1945), and today includes the smaller entities of CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Coffee. Corus International works in over 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with a primary focus on health, livelihoods, and emergency response. Today, IMA offers extensive expertise in managing and implementing highly successful and complex donor-funded programs in nutrition, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening (HSS), malaria, HIV/AIDS, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). IMA has managed an average of $100 million annually over the last four fiscal years, through grants and contracts from FCDO, USAID, BHA, CDC, World Bank, the Global Fund, UNDP, MCC, and private donors. Based in Freetown, the SBCC Advisor will work closely with the consortium partners and county/sub-county level Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) counterparts to roll out a robust Information Education Communication (IEC) and Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy utilizing a variety of platforms, including mass and digital media, to promote adoption of improved health practices. They will be responsible for developing and supporting project staff and partners on contextually appropriate gender-responsive social and behavior change approaches and activities. The SBCC Advisor will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Actual hiring is contingent upon successful agreement award and USAID approval. Sierra Leonean nationals and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Duties: Lead the implementation of the project’s Information education communication (IEC) and SBCC activities. In collaboration with consortium partners, design communication and messaging content. In collaboration with consortium partners, conduct training of community health workers (CHWs) and religious and traditional leaders to co-design and disseminate messages and engage communities. Provide input into technical strategies, workplans, guidelines, and other documents to ensure SBCC is appropriately incorporated, with particular focus on contextually appropriate gender responsive approaches to all activities Routinely monitor SBCC activities , impact, and indicators and adjust activities as required to achieve project objectives. Liaise with MOHS sub-county level personnel to ensure coordinated communications activities at the community level. In coordination with partners, review punctual SBCC data and adjust activities as required to achieve project objectives. Conduct focus groups and/or other qualitative methods to develop SBCC approaches in collaboration with consortium partners; design and pre-test communication activities and messaging content as appropriate. Work with the MEL team to develop appropriate SBCC indicators and monitoring and evaluation approaches as necessary. Provide regular reports to the DCOP and the programmatic and technical personnel, including successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Qualifications: Master’s Degree or higher in public health, communications, or a closely related field is required. Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in developing and implementing behavioral change communications strategies, focusing on creating demand for community and facility-based health services, including FP/RH and MNCAH services. Ability to lead SBC analyses and recommend appropriate messaging for a wide variety of health interventions. Demonstrated ability to work in concert with team, partner organizations, and key government stakeholders to achieve results; experience in partnership building especially with the Government of Sierra Leone, USAID, NGOs and private sector a plus. Demonstrated record of working with ministries of health and community-level stakeholders. Experience using digital technologies for message dissemination Experience working in complex environments, including a demonstrated ability to motivate teams to work constructively under pressure and to respond resourcefully when challenges arise. Advanced cross-cultural sensitivity, including experience working and communicating with professional and support staff in a multicultural, multi-linguistic environment; ability to promote an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Excellent English written and oral communication skills. IMA/Corus International prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by U.S. or International law. How to apply https://corus.applicantpro.com/jobs/2497172.html