Regional SBC Technical Specialist - Mekelle at FHI 360

Regional SBC Technical Specialist - Mekelle

Employer: FHI 360

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Mekelle, Tigray region - Ethiopia

Posted date: 9 months ago

Deadline: Submission date is over

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and all U.S. territories.

The FHI-360 managed, USAID Healthy Behaviors (UHB) Activity, with its partners the Consortium of Action Aid Ethiopia; Zeleman Communications, Advertising, and Production; and Fraym, works to increase sustained adoption of appropriate health and nutrition behaviors in Ethiopia using evidence-based, theory-informed social and behavior change (SBC) strategies. It does so to contribute to reductions in the unmet need for family planning (FP); reduced malaria-related morbidity and mortality, and its elimination; and improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) outcomes. It also supports other priority health needs related to nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and emerging infectious diseases (EID), like COVID-19; and works to transform social and gender norms that impede healthy behaviors and drive poor health outcomes across health areas. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Regional SBC Capacity Strengthening Specialist in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region. for the USAID Healthy Behavior Activity project.

Duty station: Tigray Region (Mekele)

Job Summary:

The Regional Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist will be a mid-level member of the project team and will oversee and lead SBC activities within the region office. She / He will work with local implementing partners, the government, non-governmental organizations, community organizations, and others to support the adaptation of plans, implementation, and monitoring of SBC activities in the region. The Regional SBC Specialist will work under the oversight of the Regional technical hub lead, for the implementation across project thematic and geographic areas.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the regional-level SBC-related activities and coordination with implementing partners and government organizations.
• Lead the region-specific SBC-focused plans, approaches, activities, tools, and materials development and implementation.
• Work closely with the M&E team to ensure SBC monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities are of high quality and appropriately reflect the standard indicators.
• Work closely with the implementing partners to generate new ideas, innovations, approaches, and thinking concerning SBC, drawing on existing evidence and best practices.
• Oversee the implementing partners on SBC-related plans and activities to ensure quality executions and deliverables.
• Work closely with implementing partners to ensure adequate technical support to strengthen the SBC programmatic implementation, design, and quality deliverables in collaboration with other technical teams.
• Represent the project in SBC-related activities in the region.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Moderate knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures by providing technical support for research studies.
• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
• Proficiency with database management software and online search tools is required.
• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

Competencies:

There are 31 FHI 360 development competencies, of greatest focus for this particular job will be:

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Break down work into steps, schedules, and task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resources efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.
• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.
• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization needs in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.
• Employees are expected to possess or have a high potential for the development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.
• Exercises good judgment in selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.
• Decisions may cause delays and affect a work unit or area within a department.
• Identifies and raises issues with senior technical staff
• Networks with key internal and external personnel.
• The decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Has no supervisory responsibility.
• Receives methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.
• May guide other lower-level staff.
• Typically reports to the Regional Technical Hub Lead.

Education:

• Master’s degree or its international equivalent in organizational development, social and behavioral change, public health, or a related field.

Experience:

• At least 4+ years of experience in public health, including at least five years of experience in working on SBC at the community level.
• Strong understanding of the current state of the health sector in Ethiopia, with knowledge of state-of-the-art SBC strategies and their practical application to improving uptake of healthy behaviors
• Community-level experience in developing and implementing SBC projects and programs in the region and experience working with implementing partners is added value.
• Demonstrated strong technical, programming, and management skills.
• Proven ability to work as an effective team member.
• Proven ability to work independently by setting milestones and completing assigned tasks.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills, and experience working in collaboration with the private sector, government, partners, donors, and NGOs.

Language Requirements:

• Candidate must have full professional proficiency (written and verbal) in English, Amharic, and local language.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screens and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements:

10% - 25%

This job posting 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.