POSITION TITLE:                            Social Mobilization Officer

REPORTS TO:                                  MHNT Team Leader

DUTY STATION:                             Gudetu Kondala Woreda, West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region.

PROGRAM:                                     Integrated multi-sectoral response (Health, Nutrition, and Protection) to support conflict affected IDP Returnees in Gudetu Kondala Woreda, West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region.

MINIMUM HOURS OF WORK:                                      40 Hours per Week

SUPERVISEES:                                None

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Project HOPE Ethiopia has secured funding from Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund (EHF) to implement Integrated multi-sectoral response (Health, Nutrition, and Protection) to support conflict affected IDP Returnees in Gudetu Kondala Woreda, West Wollega Zone, Oromia Region. This project, jointly implemented with Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization (FIDO), will provide integrated life-saving emergency and essential Primary Health Care (PHC), Nutrition, and Protection services to conflict affected returnees. It will also restore relevant service delivery systems through static and outreach/mobile modality, facility rehabilitation and strengthening capacity of targeted sectors.

 The core interventions of this humanitarian response project are to delivery of vaccination services, Sexual and Reproductive (SRH) services, treatment of sick children and adults, outbreak disease control including Cholera, Malaria and Measles case management, improved provision of maternal and newborn health, mental health services to returnees; prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition together with Maternal and Infant & Young Feeding in Emergencies (MIYCF-E) counselling for improved practices. Moreover, the project will deliver protection services to vulnerable groups of returnees and supports protection systems. The project will also enhance community engagement, establish accountability systems and also rehabilitate damaged health infrastructure to benefit both the returnees and the broader community.

 JOB SUMMARY:

Social mobilization officer- is responsible for the planning and implementation of community and social mobilization strategies that support Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) activities of this integrated multi-sectoral response project targeting IDP returnees and communities. She/he will mainly be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of social mobilization and RCCE activities by MHNT, HCWs and various community volunteers. S/he will work with sector offices, local leaders and existing community structures to come up with a locally owned approach for RCCE. He will ensure the conduct of regular community outreaches for health, nutrition, and protection through volunteers and develops SBCC tools and low literacy job aids to do quality RCCE.

 This position is working closely with medical teams in mobile clinics, supported HFs & community to improve the mental health wellbeing and psychosocial conditions of affected communities, supporting the mobile health team by providing guidance and capacity building for the implementation of qualitative psychosocial care and mental health activities and assisting the community volunteers in the identification of targeted communities in need of specific psychological counselling and ensuring individual or group support for identified beneficiaries

 SPECIFIC RESPONSIBIITES:

Specific responsibilities of the MH/PSSO include but are not limited to:

Technical

• Plan, implement social mobilization and RCCE activities supporting enhanced social behavior change, utilization and support to required HNP services, and community engagement

• Leads the beneficiary targeting process and actively participating in compliant handling and conflict resolution with in the target communities

• Ensure beneficiaries are informed and regularly reminded about their entitlements from the project, and the confidential complaints mechanisms;

• Ensure relevant communities are consulted at the appropriate time in a project and receive follow up information on the decision-making process and outcome

• Plan and conduct regular awareness raising session with target communities within Health Facilities/during mobile clinic session.

• Identify existing community structures and partners, stakeholders that support SM activities.

• Identify communities with special needs and vulnerabilities where Project activities should be prioritized to ensure equitable access in line with the project plan.

• Mobilize local communities, IDP returnees, service providers to implement community-based outreach activities including MHNT services, HNP promotion.

• Conduct rapid assessments and local problem analysis including vulnerabilities, capabilities and available resources; preparation of community profiles to help plan capacity building activities for SM/RCCE

• Introduce empowering approaches for vulnerable men and women (including IDP returnees, youth at risk, elderly people, people with disabilities and others)

• Lead the identification and selection of Community Volunteers (CVs) and provide close monitoring

• Together with MHNT, train volunteers and mothers to organize care group sessions and counsel mothers on IYCF

• Oversee and support IYCF activities at the community and HF levels

• Facilitate MIYCF-E mother-to mother support group sessions with pregnant and lactating and caretakers of children under-two who attended

• Participate in the interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and the preparation of reports on social mobilization activities

• Design and facilitate community mobilization/sensitization campaigns in collaboration with protection team, protection mechanisms, and communities

• Provide ongoing support and ensures child participation and safeguarding practices are strictly adhered to;

• Provide support to parent groups and caregivers by organizing and leading sessions with parents on positive parenting practices.

• Produce weekly and monthly data and regular narrative reports and submit to team leader.

Monitoring & Evaluation

•  Submit weekly, monthly and quarterly report to team leader.

• Prepare weekly and monthly indicators report for the assigned service areas.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Performs any other related duties that may be assigned by immediate supervisor or Senior Management Team (SMT). Disclaimer: This job description summarizes the responsibilities assigned to the position; however, it does not contain an all-inclusive list.

 Key Working Relationships

Internal- reporting to

·       Team Leader-MHNT

External

·       Work with woreda Health Office experts and Health facilities

Job Requirements

• BSc/BA in Communication, Social Work, Psychology, other Social or Humanitarian sciences.

• Minimum of 3 years work experience working as social worker, mobilizer and/or a counsellor preferably with IDPs, returnees and conflict affected communities.

• Skill in participatory design and implementation of RCCE/SBCC activities in health, nutrition and protection at grass root level

• Experience of community engagement and mentorship and health facility support

• Previous NGO and humanitarian experience are an advantage.

• Experience working in humanitarian emergency settings is an asset

• Competent in Windows, MS office programs, emails and relevant health database (HMIS, DHIS etc.).

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Essential – Excellent knowledge of English and Affaan Oromo, both written and spoken

• Experience on organizing and facilitating workshops and trainings.

• Familiar with standards and guidelines for GBV prevention and response programming and coordination activities.

• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Ability to work under pressure, and with limited supervision.

• Work as team player and has flexibility in his/her work

• Excellent communication skills- verbal and written skills.

• Self-motivated, transparent, highly responsible, and punctual.

• Ability to work as part of a team as well as to work autonomously when required.

 COMPETENCIES:

·       Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, adaptability, building commitment, coaching, planning and organizing, pro-active problem solving.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV and cover letter through THIS LINK ONLY on or before January 14, 2024, by 5:00 PM.

 Due to the urgency of the position, Project HOPE has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.

Qualified female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.

EEO Statement

Project HOPE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, or status as a veteran. Project HOPE complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Project HOPE expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, or status as a veteran. Improper interference with the ability of Project HOPE employees to perform their expected job duties is not tolerated.