Uganda: MCHN Officer - Community Behavior Change - 1 Vacancy based in Moroto (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps does high-quality, analytical work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, DFID and ECHO, among others. Apolou (“Growth” in Nga’karimojong) is a 5-year USAID funded DFSA activity operating in the four districts of Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and Amudat. Apolou has four objectives grounded in social behaviour change and supports gender-transformative and resilience outcomes:

1. Inclusive and effective governance contributes to food and nutrition security.

2. Improved health and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women, children under five and adolescent girls.

3. Improved WASH conditions.

4. Adolescent girls, adolescent boys, women and men access diverse and secure livelihoods through improved capacities and strengthen market systems.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary focus of the MCHN Officer for Community Behavior Change (CBC) will be to support the roll out of the MCA strategy to program coverage districts. CBC activities will focus on the enabling environment around the caregiver, targeting husbands, elders, community opinion leaders and other influential persons to speed progress towards positive gender and health behavior changes. The officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the CBC component of the Apolou behavior change strategy and will have supervisory responsibility for activities in Kotido and Kaabong.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program

· Provide leadership and daily oversight for planning and implementation of MCG activities including; mentorship, support supervision and managerial support to CBCAs of Kotido and Kaabong, spending approximately an equal amount of time between the two field offices.

· Sensitize and advocate for the male engagement strategy to relevant stakeholders including local government, Sub-county officials, elders, implementing partners and foster ongoing positive cooperation with these stakeholders.

· Support the CBC Manager in the development of activity plans and a reporting format for the CBC sector with special focus on Kotido and Kaabong.

· Contribute in the development of training curriculum, project tools, and IEC materials; facilitate nutrition related trainings for CBCAs e.g. Gender, IYCF and other ENA/EHA components as well as support with staff capacity building.

· Support rollout of module trainings to male change agents, as a direct trainer and backstop supporter to CBCAs.

· Supervise the activities and performance of CBCAs in Kotido and Kaabong; conduct routine team meetings, adhere to performance reviews timelines, troubleshoot challenges and standardize implementation approaches.

· Empower community members, MCAs and HBCs to lead community dialogues promoting positive maternal and child health behaviors and gender equality.

· Support in troubleshooting of challenges faced by CBCAs, standardizing implementation approaches and ensuring technical quality.

· Working closely with MCHN manager and broader MCHN team to coordinate overall activities ans day-to-day operations and logistics to maximize use of resources and ensure complementary programming

· Provide oversight to the CBCAs in regards to adhering to procurement, finance and security policy and procedures, ensuring proper documentation of processes.

· Identify and document best practices to share with the team, KFNSA partner organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

Partnership Management:

· Establish and maintain productive working relationship with partner organizations, working together to develop complementary monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management structures wherever possible.

· Liaise with partners to coordinate and maximize influence at local and regional forums.

· Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate.

· Collaboratively represent the health activities of Apolou together with partner’s organizations like Save the Children, Whave at relevant local government and civil society organizations.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

· Provide ongoing support to CBCAs in monitoring, evaluation and learning.

· Take responsibility for data collection, data archiving, quality assurance, quality control, and communicating to MELC focal person on Kotido and Kaabong activities.

· Oversee the program filing system and ensure that information is organized according to the reporting and auditing needs of the program.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

· At least 3 years of related professional experience.

· Bachelors’ degree in public health or related field.

· Community Behaviour Change implementation experience is a plus

· Demonstrated skills in data collection, verification and documentation

· Proven skills in networking, team-building, community consultations and organizational development;

· Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills

· Willingness to consider new perspectives, promote gender equality and engage in advanced gender training

· Ability to ride a motorcycle and he/she should be in possession of a valid driving/riding license

· Proven knowledge and capacity in using computer basic applications Ms word, Excel and internet

· In-depth knowledge of the social, cultural and economic context of Karamoja a plus

· Fluency in Nga’Karamojong a plus

Applications: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Senior HR and Legal Manager, Mercy Corps Uganda. Include a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Tuesday, 6^th February, 2018. Subject of email should include the position you are applying for**.** Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.