Ethiopia: Nutrition Behavior Change Communication Advisor (IR5 Leader), Ethiopia (219268-927)

Nutrition Behavior Change Communication Advisor (IR5 Leader), Ethiopia (219268-927) | ReliefWeb Skip to main content Labs Blog Mobile About Us Help Login / Register HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining Print07 Nov 2014Nutrition Behavior Change Communication Advisor (IR5 Leader), Ethiopia (219268-927)JobfromMercy Corps—Closing date: 06 Jan 2015

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Ethiopia is implementing a 5 year, $52 million USAID funded Pastoralists Areas Resilience Improvement and Market Expansion (PRIME) program. The PRIME consortium, led by Mercy Corps includes Care, Kimetrica, ACPA, Haramaya University and local partners among others. PRIME will: 1) stimulate increased productivity and competitiveness in the livestock and livestock product markets, 2) increase communities’ ability to adapt to a changing climate, 3) improve alternative livelihood options, basic employability skills and entrepreneurship, 4) establish participatory monitoring and evaluation systems that are easily accessible for all stakeholders, and 5) improve nutrition of targeted households and contribute to the wider knowledge on pastoral development through targeted policy research and knowledge management initiatives.

Maternal knowledge of appropriate caring practices has been correlated in the baseline with child nutritional status, and therefore PRIME is focusing on training, education, and communication in its Nutrition component.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The IR5 Leader (Nutrition Behavior Change Communication Advisor) is a senior management position that provides leadership and oversight to PRIMEs nutrition component. The IR5 Advisor is responsible for overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition actions in PRIME; ensuring all project initiatives are implemented to achieve maximum impact while remaining on schedule and budget.

PRIME nutrition component uses a variety of tailored social and behavioral change communication mechanisms, which enhance nutrition practices, increasing the demand for nutritious food, improving household decision-making for equitable access to nutrition, leveraging private sector investment for nutrition support and informing policy practices regarding nutrition and food security.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Commitment to Quality Program, strategy and leadership:

Communicate a clear vision of the IR5 component of PRIME and how it fits into Mercy Corps’ country and regional strategies and well as Mission Statement by providing leadership and direction, ensuring program strategy is clear and communicated to team members, local beneficiaries and government, and the international community.Collaborate and ensure synergies with other relative Mercy Corps programs.Plan and implement PRIME’s nutrition Behavior Change Communication (BCC) strategy including designing compelling informational messages (edutainment), culture-sensitive Information Education Communication (IEC) materials, outreach drama and mass media and the radio Soap Opera For Social Change( SOSC) program, as appropriate, to effectively influence behavior change at the individual and community level.Work with Warner Bros script writers, the marketers and the radio production team on designing content for the soap opera for social change, while leading research and suggesting new areas of soap programme content in line with the 5 behavioral BCC themes: dietary diversity, ‘the 1000 days’, fodder/feed for milking livestock, Animal health extension seeking and equitable household decision making for improved nutrition.Ensure BCC concepts and/or messages achieve program objectives, such as increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, enhancing motivation to change behaviors, and increasing the perceived benefits of new behaviors. Lead in the research design, pretesting, production and distribution of BCC/IEC materials.Suggest new areas of BCC content for both the immediate causes of nutrition and underlying causes such maternal/child nutrition, household income, household decision making for and design BCC through suggestion and advice from designated audience groups, the nutrition specialist and the production team, based on the findings of Barrier Analysis (BA) and other research findings.Identify and work closely with relevant production teams (such as artist, composers, scriptwriters) & channels for regular nutrition messages, synopsis and scripts for the edutainment program.Actively contribute in the development, planning, drafting translating storylines, episodes synopsis and script writing according to the program work plans.Pursue other innovative ways to deliver compelling messages such as the use of comic books and use of schools, ‘camel caravans’ and other culture-sensitive media/channels of communications in PRIME operation areas.Develop and maintain harmonious relationship with partner organization, line ministries and audience groups.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use and ensure high quality input is secured from external evaluators.Monitor program implementation, measure impact and calibrate program strategy and implementation accordingly.Document process and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated.

Team Management:

Build a cohesive team spirit among staff and delegate functions and responsibilities to them while ensuring achievement of program objectives.Rrecruit, manage and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management systems into team building processes.Direct PRIME IR5 team (the nutrition specialist, the BCC/markets and the production team) in working effectively and cohesively with other program and support units to improve planning and resource utilization.Maintain effective and positive internal communication with PRIME staff in all field offices, this includes ensuring open and harmonious communication all of the different departments, offices, and programs.

Representation:

Develop and maintain both internal and external relationships to ensure optimum program success: to include Mercy Corps headquarters and regional officers and staff, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials particularly USAID, diplomatic corps and embassies, vendors, media and the general public.

Communications:

Nurture appropriate Mercy Corps public relations, donor relationships; represent Mercy Corps to national and international media as requested.

Leadership and Strategy:

Participate in the development and/or review of new initiatives, operating plans and strategic plans.Participate in overall program level strategic planning and assist the CoP with preparation and implementation of the PRIME Annual Planning process. Process is to be participatory, involving relevant key staff in each field office. Identify staffing and administrative operational requirements.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGAs part of our commitment to organizational learning, and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and themselves.

Accountability:*Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.*

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

The Deputy IR5 Advisor, The BCC/marketing specialist, Team leader/ show runner SOSC and field level advisors.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party, PRIME

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: IR leaders, Cluster leads, Heads of Office, M&E unit, Logistics and Administrative teams

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in nutrition, communications, development, public health or a related fieldDemonstrated experience in managing complex programs and multi-cultural teams4-6 years of experience in behavior change communications, preferably serialized dramas.Demonstrated technical and successful expertise in a relevant mix of designing, managing and evaluating BCC programs through social marketing, as well as small group and interpersonal.Demonstrated experience in developing sound communication plans that include innovative strategies to address them.Experience with USAID grants

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Diplomacy skills in managing a team with different backgrounds, abilities, and technical knowledge.Contextual knowledge of Ethiopia and the often complex clan structures of Somali society.Effective communication and team-building techniques.Excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills.Even temperament and good sense of humor.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is open to local and international staff, and is based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel to Somali, Afar and Oromiya regions. The IR5 Leader is expected to follow all security protocols including limited movement when necessary. Internet connectivity and communication across Ethiopia is government controlled and remains unreliable at times. Addis Ababa is the political and commercial heart of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1877, it is now a sprawling, hospitable city of 4 million people located at an elevation of 2,200 meters in the foothills of Mount Entoto. Addis Ababa has basic health services and adequate international schools, K-12. There are ample opportunities for in-country vacations. The weather is temperate year-round with a heavy rainy season in the summer months. Addis Ababa hosts many international organizations including the OAU, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters there.

How to apply:

Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...

Job ID: #713371 Country: Ethiopia City: Addis Ababa Organization: Mercy Corps Job years of experience: 3-5 years Job type: Job How to apply HomeUpdatesCountriesDisastersTopicsOrganizationsJobsTraining About Us Help ReliefWeb Informing humanitarians worldwide. A service provided by

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