Social & Behavior Change Communication Specialist

Job Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has launched a new program to enhance food and nutrition security, reduce future humanitarian caseload and improve the resilience of communities to recurrent shocks in the Karnali Province in Nepal. The program will be a Multi-Year Emergency Food Security Activity funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs, and implemented in 6 districts (Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Surkhet, Achham, and Dailekh, with cluster hubs in Surkhet and Jumla) in the Karnali River Basin area. The new program, called “Building Hope Along the Karnali River Basin (Bhakari)”, builds upon many of the successes of the Nepal team’s previous Food for Peace program which ended in January 2020, the PAHAL program, but with some new districts and a much heavier emphasis on emergency response through cash transfer programming. Parallel to the emergency cash programming are emergency-prevention components of agriculture and market systems, disaster risk reduction, water for productive use, natural resources management, and a large emphasis on a gender and social inclusion approach, all with a highly integrated multi-sectoral approach.

General Position Summary

The SBCC Specialist will lead the development and roll out of Bhakari’s SBCC strategy and tools to the relevant partners and staff, and will subsequently monitor the technical SBCC components of Bhakari. They will work closely with Viamo, the platform contracted to deliver Bhakari’s SBCC outreach, and support in developing customized tools, messages and actions plans for implementing the SBCC strategy. The SBCC Specialist will develop matching messaging via flyers, brochures, posters and radio messages, plus discussion aids to be integrated into other types of community engagement and training. They will provide technical advice to the partners in designing, implementing and evaluating behavioural change initiatives to reach socially excluded groups and individuals, as well as the poor and vulnerable households with pregnant and lactating women and children under 5 years of age. The SBCC Specialist will work closely with the MEL and GESI teams to incorporate evidence into SBCC strategy and activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the SBCC Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:

• In close collaboration with the technical Managers and Viamo, establish systems and protocols for SBCC activities, and maintain general oversight of SBCC programming being implemented through national and implementing Partners to: 1) increase food availability and access; 2) improve access to sustainable water for productive purpose; and 3) reduce impact of natural disasters. This needs to be done through a human centered design approach to ensure the intervention is inclusive of all groups especially women, Dalits, and other traditionally marginalized groups
• Coordinate with Viamo, GESI team, consortium members, and other relevant stakeholders to identify key messages on pertinent topics and lead on the development on any new SBCC materials and content to deliver a clear messaging campaign to engage with marginalized populations
• Maintain an inventory of existing SBCC materials across Bhakari’s behavioral themes. Provide an ongoing assessment of the quality of these materials (e.g. clear audience, key message, and strong call to action)
• On an ongoing basis, assess the effectiveness of the interpersonal communication and community mobilization approaches and materials being used by Bhakari’s implementing partners to promote behavior change. Identify gaps and provide support to Partners for redevelopment/refinement as required, ensuring messaging included in any new materials is consistent with Bhakari’s core messaging
• Identify the need for, and manage, additional formative research related to Bhakari’s identified behavioral themes as required, to identify specific target behaviors and messaging. This is likely to be most relevant in relation to the household decision-making/ male involvement and profit-seeking behavioral themes
• Identify options for, and lead on, the development of mass delivery campaigns using platforms such as mainstream media, various forms of Entertainment-Education, and social media. These are designed to complement the interpersonal communication and community mobilization approaches that will be promoted by the Lead Partners
• Ensure themes of gender equality and involvement of socially-excluded groups are included as an integral part of all SBCC designs and activities
• Support the development of monitoring and results measurement frameworks and reliable data collection and analysis to assess the effectiveness of Bhakari’s and SBCC strategy, and revise the strategy on the basis of results achieved
• Develop and manage close working relationships with local government agencies, NGOs (in particular the implementing partners), and others
• Participate in national working groups as needed and support national-level efforts on SBCC as a means of improving coordination between the multiple development partners
• Train/mentor national program staff in the development and implementation of SBCC approaches

Program Implementation

• They ensure the district implementing partners fully understand SBCC messaging, approaches, and strategies
• Facilitate and support the district implementing partners to fully implement the SBCC activities on the ground

Monitoring, Evaluations, And Learning (MEL) And Reporting

• Coordinate with MEL to measure, assess, and subsequently incorporate evidence into SBCC strategy and activities
• Monitor SBCC activities on a regular basis to ensure timely and effective program implementation
• Ensure monitoring of SBCC field activities to be on time, target and budget, and propose recommendations for improvements

Program Administration and Operations

• Coordinate with District Coordinators, Technical leads and Officers for SBCC field activities in the cluster/region
• Work closely with representatives of Consortium and Local partners at the cluster and district level

Finance and Compliance Management

• Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance
• Work closely with finance/compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities
• Support and orient on MC Code of Ethics and uphold Mercy Corps’ Zero tolerance of corruption policy

Influence & Representation

• Ensure close coordination and information sharing with local implementing partners, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs
• Establish and maintain professional and productive relationships with communities and local government
• Serve as a key focal point for SBCC-related issues and problems in the ground and seek support from central level as required

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership
• Proactively ensure that team members and community operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies

Accountability to Program Participants

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues

Other

• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission
• Other duties as assigned by their supervisor and/or Country Director

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Deputy Chief of Party

Works Directly with: DCOP, Technical Component Managers and Advisors, Program Officers, Partnership Manager, Cluster Coordinators, Operations unit

Knowledge and Experience

• At least Bachelor degree in social sciences, nutrition, development studies/management, or any related discipline
• At least 5 years of experience in SBCC, with an emphasis on food security. Experience in disaster risk management, agriculture & livelihood and humanitarian assistance is preferred
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing SBCC activities using a range of delivery platforms (interpersonal, mass media, EE and social media)
• Demonstrated experience applying participatory and rapid research processes to determine SBCC messaging and approaches
• Experience in capacity building, including training and on the job mentoring of national staff, strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent communication skills, analytical and report writing skills
• Demonstrated capacity to work collegially with government, private sector and other partner organizations
• Experience working in partnerships, coordination among different stakeholders and organizations at district/province/national level is required. Prior experience working on USAID funded programs highly preferred
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali required
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment

Success Factors

The successful SBCC Specialist will combine exceptional technical skills and experience with building and maintaining team relationships. They will be an excellent communicator. They will have an ability to think creatively and critically about how to reach socially excluded groups and individuals to improve food security and nutrition from both the year-round supply of nutritious foods via both agriculture and food systems to stimulating demand for healthier nutrition-seeking behaviors. The SBCC Specialist will have proven experience managing multiple partners and service providers delivering work streams simultaneously. They will be excellent at multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and demonstrate simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision. The most successful staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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