SBC Coordinator - PMI Evolve Kenya at Abt Associates

The Opportunity 

• As the Social Behavior Change (SBC) Coordinator, you will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of community mobilization and behavior change communication in line with project objectives, the Ministry of Health and counties. You will facilitate all community mobilization, branding and marking and communication activities working closely with the local authorities and leadership to position all program activities . This position shall be based in Kisumu.

Project Description

• The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impact. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains.

Core Responsibilities

• Ensure strengthened partnerships and collaboration between district partners, including civil societies and community leaders.
• Support the implementation of the community outreach programs and communication interventions (identifying the most impact channels and mobilization efforts) within the targeted counties and communities.
• Develop and write regular documentation of activities including lessons learned and success stories.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) , Integrated Vector Control, lead in development of and implementation of SBC strategies for all relevant activities, including IRS campaigns, larval source management, ITN distribution, etc.
• Develop and review behavior change communication (BCC) messages/materials in collaboration with project team and government stakeholders.
• Conducting community mobilization, awareness and sensitization on the relevant activities (IRS, Larval source management, etc.) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Evaluate and document impact of SBC activities in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Develop community mobilization calendar in line with the spray calendar
• Support the planning and implementation of information and education campaigns aimed at improving community awareness about the relevant activities in the counties in collaboration with district-based government partners.
• Assist in mobilizing communities through sensitization meetings with the local leaders and communities to educate them on the relevant activities as one of the key Malaria prevention interventions.
• Assist in the recruitment, training, monitoring and supervision of mobilization teams on SBC strategies to reach people at community level.
• Assist and participate in the sensitization of various stakeholders at district, division and community levels to support activities in collaboration with district health officials, civil societies and community leaders.
• Maintain proper records on community mobilization and other SBC activities throughout the year for reporting purposes.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports on community mobilization efforts before and throughout the spray campaign, and compilation of other project reporting, including success stories semiannual reports, and others with the DCOP, IVC and the Chief of Party.
• Involvement and participation in planned events in the counties.
• Records best practices for informing local communities about upcoming vector control activities, encouraging community participation, educating communities on the benefits of indoor residual spraying and/ITNs as well as providing information on timing, safety, follow up, etc.
• Develops communications materials as necessary i.e.: brochures, posters, banners, as well as radio and TV information programs.
• Liaises with other government and non-government communications organizations and provides program information for media dissemination.
• Promotes targeting, integration and equity (gender equity, hard-to-reach populations, etc.) of project’s vector control strategies and activities.
• Contributes, in close coordination with the DCOP, IVC, to the development and delivery of the country capacity strengthening action plan to transfer integrated vector control skills to local institutions.
• Frequent travel to counties to support vector control activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

What We Value

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree + 5 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree + 3 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Health, Community Health, Environmental Studies, or other relevant field.
• Minimum six (6) years of relevant professional experience in communications, community outreach, or public education, with previous IRS or other malaria program experience highly desirable.
• Proven experience managing community outreach, mobilization and other SBC activities for international health programs is essential.
• Experience With Malaria Prevention Programs Preferred.
• At least four years working in close partnership with government stakeholders, local community leaders, and partner organizations with an emphasis on capacity strengthening, skills transfer and fostering trust among a broad range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated organizational, reporting and management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including national, provincial and district government counterparts.
• Excellent Oral And Written Communication Skills Are Essential.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Applications.
• Prior experience working with USAID a plus.
• English language fluency.