Social Behavioral Change (SBC) Officer

TITLE: Social Behavioral Change (SBC) Officer

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Program Operation

LOCATION: Dessie Project Office based at Bati Woreda, Oromia Special Zone, Amhara Region

GRADE: 4A

CONTRACT LENGTH: 6 months

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people  either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Save the Children is seeking a qualified and motivated Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Officer for Immunization. The SBC Officer will facilitate and support the SBC components of the CDC-funded Ethiopia immunization program at the field and woreda levels. Responsibilities include supporting, monitoring, and reporting on tailored SBC interventions, conducting assessments to understand sociocultural and gender-related barriers to immunization, and collaborating closely with the project team at the Country Office and Field Offices. 

The SBC Officer will provide technical assistance to government partners at regional, zonal, and woreda levels on SBC related to immunization. They will strengthen the capacity of field project staff in SBC and demand generation for immunization. The SBC Officer will support in the development of SBC strategies aligned with government community mobilization strategies to address barriers to immunization service delivery and utilization. They will also contribute to the development and review of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behavior Change. 

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Immunization Coordinator

Staff reporting to this post: None

Budget Responsibilities: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

SBC Technical Support:

 Collaborate with the SBC Coordinator, Sr. Technical Specialist, for SBC and community engagement to develop the project’s SBC strategy, using grassroots evidence and stakeholder input.

– Facilitate the creation, dissemination, and implementation of immunization SBC work plans, tools, and materials.

– Support the development of tailored and effective SBC content, materials, messages, and media products.

– Implement and document new/adopted SBC approaches like the engagement of community and religious leaders, participatory women, and participatory men immunization groups.

– Address individual, social, and environmental factors affecting immunization service utilization through targeted SBC interventions.

– Develop and review weekly SBC intervention plans, track implementation, and monitor spending.

– Organize and support grassroots social mobilization and community engagement activities; train community-based facilitators and engage them in project planning, implementation, and monitoring.

– Provide technical guidance and training for field projects and government staff at zonal/woreda levels.

– Promote gender equity and address social norms affecting zero-dose and under-vaccination through regular updates and summaries.

– Prepare standardized periodic project SBC progress reports and donor reports.

– Contribute to the development of project deliverables, including work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and success stories.

Evidence and Learning

– Support and facilitate SBC-related studies, including the Formative Study, community mapping and develop dissemination plans to inform program implementation and policy advocacy.

– Document and share immunization SBC best practices, lessons learned, success stories, updates, and photos/videos with project stakeholders.

– Support SBC interventions during key immunization events like Africa Vaccination Week to improve service utilization and advocate for resource allocation.

Capacity Building, Networking, and Representation

– Assess and build the capacity of field teams and immunization service providers in designing and implementing high-quality SBC interventions. 

– Organize and facilitate capacity-building sessions on SBC skills, such as Human-Centered Design, Interpersonal Communication (IPC), and Community Engagement.

– Establish or strengthen Immunization SBC platforms, such as TWGs and Taskforces, ensuring regular meetings and follow-ups to improve interventions.

KEY COMPETENCIES (Indicative / Key Competencies)

Technical competencies:

• Drives Quality Immunization Programming: Trains and mentors others on the application of relevant SBC and Immunization sub-theme standards
• Understanding of the Impact of emergencies on immunization and health outcomes: Engages in the humanitarian aid architecture to minimize the effect of the emergency on the immunization SBC performance
• Builds the capacity of others to implement integrated SBC in Immunization programming and advocacy

Generic Competencies

• Being the Voice of Children: Promotes evidence-based policy and public engagement that includes the voices of children and their communities
• Advancing Equality & Inclusion: Displays a commitment to ensuring everything we do considers the most deprived and marginalized children 
• Building & Strengthening Partnerships: Promotes working with diverse partners as critical to delivery

Child Rights: Promotes the rights of children in their work and work with colleagues and peers

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

•    holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values

•    holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

•    sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

•   widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others

•   future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

•    builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

•   values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength

•   approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

•   develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

•   willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honesty encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Education

– First degree in public health, health education, social psychology, health communication, or a related behavioral science field.

LANGUAGE: 

• Fluency in Local Language, Amharic, and English, both written and spoken.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and under pressure.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Commitment to Save the Children’s mission and values.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to work in challenging environments and adapt to changing circumstances.
•  Strong commitment to promoting accountability and learning.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and under pressure.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Commitment to Save the Children’s mission and values.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to work in challenging environments and adapt to changing circumstances.
•  Strong commitment to promoting accountability and learning.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing and implementing SBC projects focused on immunization and child health.

– Formal training and understanding of theories and frameworks related to individual behavior change and social change, including knowledge of SBC interventions and best practices.

– Practical experience in designing, planning, implementing, and evaluating behavioral interventions.

– Experience in vaccine demand-related programming is highly desirable.

– Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and work effectively in team settings.

– Experience coordinating and providing technical support on immunization communication TWGs at regional, zonal, and woreda levels for health bureaus and offices.

– Proven ability to organize and facilitate training and capacity-building activities for government and project staff at various levels, including Human-Centered Design for Immunization, Interpersonal Communication (IPC), and Community Engagement.

– Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with technical working groups and government partners.

– Results-oriented, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets and approaches.

– Excellent communication skills, including group discussion facilitation, workshop organization, and presentation abilities.

– Proficient in computer skills, including MS Word, MS Excel, and other data tools.

– Commitment to the values and policies of Save the Children.

– Proficiency in English communication and writing.

How To Apply

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. 

Use the below link to apply:  

https://hcri.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

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