Nutrition-Social and Behavioral Change Specialist

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base: Addis Ababa

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: EMS09

Salary: 1,407 USD

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs, and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of Position 

The Nutrition Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Specialist will be responsible for providing overall technical assistance for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SBC interventions under the direct supervision of the head of the Nutrition and Health Department. S/he will be based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel to the field (at least 50%).  S/he in collaboration with an external consultant, program team, and partners in the field will design context-specific SBC interventions focusing on digitalized Adolescent, Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (AMIYCN)- SBC interventions and ensure effective implementation using the right tools and methods. The candidate will subsequently confirm the documentation of innovative activities, best practices, and learning to scale up SBC interventions in additional intervention areas or refugee camps and to inform the development of effective SBC strategies, frameworks, tools, and materials primarily for the Nutrition and Health sectors, but also for Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), WASH and MHPSS, Protection and Gender sectors. Besides, s/he will conduct regular field visits to Gambella refugee camps and host communities, and provides technical guidance and recommendations on ongoing SBC activities for program staff. In addition, the Nutrition Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Specialist will serve as the main in-country point of contact for all matters related to nutrition SBC. Furthermore, s/he will play a strategic role in improving the SBC positioning of Action Against Hunger Ethiopia's mission for nutrition and other sectoral actions and contributes to its growth.

• Purpose: The Nutrition Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Specialist will be primarily responsible for implementing the SBC intervention planned in the UNHCR refugee camp response. Provides technical support in Nutrition Social Behavior Change (SBC) Intervention in selected refugee camps in Gambella in collaboration with the Nutrition and Health Department program team.

• Engagement: Engages internally with the Health and Nutrition Department program team but could engage with MEAL, Finance, Grants, and Logistics departments as well as HQ and HEARO Social Behavioral Change focal persons on regular basis during the implementation of the project. Externally the incumbent is expected to engage with MoH, Nutrition, and Health Cluster coordination platforms as well as SBC TWGs.

• Delivery: hires a consultant to develop a digital nutrition SBC intervention and training manuals in the context of refugee camps with consideration of the use of digital technologies such as tablets. Delivers technical training, and strategic advice, and mentors program staff on the use of formative research findings, and SBCC tools. S/he will further make programmatic recommendations and periodic assessments and appraisals regarding SBC activities in close consultation with partners and the head of the Nutrition and Health Department.         

Essential job duties

• Provide technical direction to define SBC approaches and activities to mainstream the promotion of optimal MIYCN behaviors by frontline workers in refugee camps and host communities.

• Develop SBC packages (framework, tools, messages, and materials) primarily on Nutrition and Health, but also on Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), WASH and MHPSS, and Protection, and Gender sectors in consultation with respective department experts.

• Develop detailed implementation plans (DIP) for SBC interventions, and ensure high quality and timeline delivery of deliverables against intended objectives, targets, and timelines.

• Develop project procurement plan (PPP), and supply plan (SP) as needed.

• Regularly follow project budget utilization pertaining to SBC interventions in collaboration with the finance department and program team based on the latest budget follow up Units (BFUs) and provide regular guidance and support to the base team for efficient budget utilization.

• Build the capacity of the ACF program team and frontline workers in SBC, including organizing SBC Training of Trainers (ToTs) and providing regular technical guidance and support for project and government staff through mentoring, coaching, and on-demand technical assistance.

• Provide oversight to the SBC program components under UNHCR-PPA, including undertaking field visits to oversee implementation, provide on-site feedback on required improvements, and generate field visit reports with timely and appropriate follow-up action points.

• Develop ToR and concept note to hire an SBC consultant to develop digital SBC content and training manuals in the context of refugee camps fulfilling the desired quality standard.

• Provide technical training, strategic advice, and operational support on Social and Behavior Change relating to Adolescent, Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (AMIYCN), sanitation and hygiene and nutrition, and Food Security and Livelihood.

• Ensure adequate coordination for SBC is in place through either establishing and leading or providing substantial support to the ACF country team, specifically Nutrition and Health, FSL, WASH, and MHPSS, Protection, and Gender.

• Conduct or oversee formative research activities (often specifically Barrier Analysis), mentor program team, partners, and key actors on the use of formative research findings.

• Promote and ensure integration of Action Against Hunger gender transformative vision and GBV mitigation good practices within SBC activities.

• Engage and actively participate in global, national, and sub-national level SBC TWGs, networks, and similar forums.

• Provides updates on SBC initiatives and shares relevant meeting notes from SBC coordination platforms and meetings to capital and base team.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• No supervisory responsibilities are envisaged in this role. However, the position will collaborate with the Action Against Hunger-USA team, government, and other stakeholders in demand creation for services and behavior change for optimal nutrition impact in Ethiopia and specifically in Action Against Hunger operational areas.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Undertake budget follow-up for the project activity in close consultation with the Head of the Department for Nutrition and Health, the finance focal person, and field level program team.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of an operational base. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

•  Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that reinforces the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.

• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.

• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

• Value and respect all cultures.

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) 

• Beware of the minimum operating standards of SEA

• Protect and prevent others from SEA.

• Report SEA.

• Strictly comply with AAH child protection and SEA policies. 

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Relations, Public Health, or related fields and at least 5 years of relevant work experience  or

• Masters or other advanced degrees in a similar field of study and more than 3 years of relevant work experience in designing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating of Nutrition and Health SBCC strategies and materials as well as related training.

• Experienced in pre-testing and concept testing of SBC approaches and content.

• Previous work experience in humanitarian and development Nutrition and Health SBC interventions in INGO is advantageous.  

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational skills, and ability to lead a stream of work;

• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills;

• Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multicultural team;

• Ability to think creatively and strategically;

• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).).

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate closely with government staff, effectively manages their expectations and builds capacity.

• Knowledge and skills of MS Office Suite are required and skills in other graphics designing software are desirable.

• Genuine interest and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.

• Proven abilities to set priorities, multi-task, and work collaboratively across technical disciplines.

Language: 

• Fluency (written and Spoken) in English is compulsory. 

• Knowledge of Amharic and other local languages, including Anywa and Nuer languages, is an advantage. 

How to Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Nutrition-Social and Behavioral Change Specialist” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following address:

Through CLICK HERE

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be, communicated on and the selection process includes technical tests and an interview.

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment