Background

Seqota Declaration is Ethiopia government commitment to end stunting among children under two years by 2030. It is also the government priority agenda that requires economic, socio-cultural and traditional transformation. The first three years investment plan demonstrates the step taken by the government to translate the 15 years Seqota Declaration road map in to action with government, community, donors and implementing partners’ active participation. Hence, it quires the commitment of political and sectors leaders commitment and leadership at all levels to take an active measures for full fledge implementation of the plan. It is Ethiopian government project which is supported by Big Win Philanthropy to end stunting in children under two years by 2030.

The purpose of the SBCC Advisor position is to provide strategic, technical, and managerial guidance and provide overall coordination and leadership for Seqota Declaration (SD) social and behavior change communication. The position holder is expected to analyze and interpret baseline study findings and community level social and behavior situational analysis findings into SBCC approaches and messages; identify the barriers, enablers, influencers, channels and opportunities for behavior change for SD woredas in Amhara and Tigray Regions; and develop and implement the SBCC strategic plan.The position holder will work closely with the Senior Program Manager (SPM) at federal and regional levels in the development and implementation of an evidenced-based SBCC strategic plan, which will be based on the baseline survey findings and situational analysis.

Main Job duties and Responsibilities

SBCC strategic planning, implementation and mainstreaming

• Lead implementation of the SBCC strategy and refine the strategy based on feedback in his/her respective regions;
• Lead implementation of SBCC mainstreaming guideline trainings;
• Coordinate and lead sectors and partners to mainstream and implement SBCC interventions as part of the sector plans;
• Support all SD stakeholders to design and implement targeted interventions to change behavior, and increase uptake and sustain use of nutrition messages, products, and services;
• The post holder is responsible for supporting implementing sectors and partners in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of SBCC interventions;
• Provide strategic oversight for behavior change/demand creation activities related to the adoption of key nutrition behaviors in households, schools, farmer training centers (FTCs), health facilities and other service delivery points;
• Prepare annual and quarterly implementation work plans and budgets for SBCC activities;
• Ensure community involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and reporting of SBCC interventions; and
• Map SBCC resources from partners and support stakeholders in planning and utilization of resources aligned with government priorities.

SBCC monitoring, reporting and documentation

• Prepare and submit periodic reports in a timely manner according to the government and PDU requirements;
• Monitor SBCC implementation processes, share learnings and document best practices;
• Ensure SBCC learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely;
• In collaboration with SBCC networks and forums, prepare and document case studies and lessons learnt on best practices and achievements; and
• Monitor and evaluate SBCC implementation in collaboration with SBCC implementing sectors and partners.

Strengthen partnership and collaboration for effective SBCC implementation

• Provide technical assistance and build the capacities of sectors and partners at regional and woreda level to effectively plan and implement SBCC;
• Provide high level guidance for smooth partnership management for SBCC implementation;
• Conduct SBCC partner assessment and involve all partners in SBCC networks and forums;
• Ensure adequate stakeholder consultation and participation for SBCC implementation, especially Super School of Five (SSo5) Initiative; and
• Manage and monitor partnerships with implementing organizations, including their efficient utilization and timely accountability of funds allocated to SBCC as appropriate.

Networking and representation in SBCC networks, forums, meetings and working groups

• Establish networks with implementing sectors, NGOs, forums and CBOs for effective implementation of the SBCC strategy;
• Work with federal and regional stakeholders for cross learning, identification of lessons learned, best practices, resources mobilization and scaling-up to enhance SBCC initiatives;
• Network effectively with others to draw information and knowledge for the development of project inputs and strategy development; and
• Ensure a smooth working environment with implementing sectors, partners, media, religious networks and woreda level stakeholders and other partners.

Conduct SBCC capacity building and technical support

• Build SBCC technical capacity of woredas level SD implementing sectors office, Kebele Administrators, health extension workers (HEWs), agriculture extension workers (AEWs), teachers, women networks, WASH committees (WASHCOs), Community Care Coalitions (CCCs), religious leaders, and other local level actors using SBCC mainstreaming guide to promote demand creation for improved nutrition behavior;
• Build local capacity of SBCC stakeholders to implement SBCC programming;
• Provide technical support to ensure quality SBCC delivery at all levels in line with the ecological model for social and behavior change communication; and
• Lead the development of SBCC technical guidance and tools for the sectors, partners at regional and woreda level.

Conduct resource mobilization for effective implementation of SBCC strategic plan

• Support SD implementing sectors and woreda level stakeholders in allocating adequate budgets for the effective implementation of SBCC interventions; and
• Support sectors in SBCC resources mobilization and the effective utilization of the mobilized resources to be aligned with the government priorities.

Staff Development and Management

• Actively participate in PDU team meetings in an open, cooperative and proactive manner and contribute towards ensuring smooth collaboration and coordination;
• Build the technical capacity of PDU staff, regional and woreda counter partners to ensure optimum involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of SBCC; and
• The job holder shall perform any other duties as assigned by his/her line manager.

JOB REQUIREMENT

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Functional Competencies – Technical Expertise:

• Specialist knowledge in SBCC for at least one of the sectors: nutrition, public health, agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of adaptive, fit-for-purpose SBCC;
• Ability to interpret data and translate findings into practical SBCC and programmatic implications;
• Experience the development of SBCC strategy, programs and other tools to facilitate SBCC interventions;
• Technical expertise in the development and strengthening of community based SBCC interventions;
• Strong understanding of government, civil society and donor community in Ethiopia; and
• Experience with fostering a learning culture within teams, institutions and externally.

Functional Competencies – Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic development of SBCC to meet the needs of the Seqota Declaration;
• Ability to support the development, review and implementation of the Seqota Declaration SBCC strategy and Annual Seqota Declaration Implementation Plan;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches, which expand the range of programs;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision; and
• Negotiation skills and capacity to work with diverse partners including government, development partners and civil society.

Functional Competencies – Leadership and Teamwork:

• Skilled leader who can provide strategic guidance while supporting the overall direction set by the Senior Program Manager;
• Works well with a diverse group of people;
• Focuses on impact and results, and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling Government of Ethiopia values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity; treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Team/Program Seqota Declaration Federal Program Delivery Unit
Location: Seqota Declaration, Federal Program Delivery Unit,
Reports to Senior Programme Manager, Seqota Declaration Delivery Unit (Federal Level)
Staff directly reporting to the post Regional Social Behavioural Change Communication Advisor, implementing sectors and partners
Duration of Position:12 months’ consultancy position (with possibility of extension subject to performance)
Duration of Position 12 months’ consultancy position (Renewable annually)

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their application indicating for which Position they are applying for, non-returnable CVs and copies of all documents together with original documents to Federal Ministry of Health, Human Resource Administration Directorate within 10 consecutive working days from the first date of this announcement on newspaper. Female applicants are encouraged to apply.

MINSTRY OF HEALTH, ETHIOPIA

HUMAN RESOURCE ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTORATE, BLOCK 1 FIRST FLOOR

ADDIS ABABA