Child Safeguarding: 

Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

Job Description: Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Officer - Immunization

Activity Overview:

Immunization is a critical life-saving intervention the Ethiopian government has expanded to address under-five mortality. The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has achieved significant successes, including Ethiopia being certified polio-free since 2017 and eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. Successive Ethiopian Demography and Health Surveys have shown a positive rise in vaccine coverage, though disparities persist. The major variations are geographic, with significant differences in coverage among regions. According to the Ethiopian mini-DHS 2019, over 1.2 million children in Ethiopia are zero-dose or under-immunized.

For over two decades, Save the Children has supported Ethiopia's immunization program, contributing to the reduction of child mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. Through various projects, Save the Children has expanded access to immunization services, generated community demand for immunization, and supported an enabling environment for equitable service delivery and improved immunization financing. Currently, Save the Children is implementing a GSK-funded Immunization Program in Ethiopia, focusing on zero-dose and under-immunized children during the 2023-2027 partnership phase. This innovative partnership aims to reduce preventable deaths and illnesses in children under five by leveraging Save the Children’s expertise in child and maternal health and GSK’s research and partnerships. The GSK-funded immunization program is multi-country and will be implemented in Ethiopia and Nigeria. This position pertains to the program in Ethiopia, supporting Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) interventions to generate community demand for immunization.

Position Overview:

Save the Children is seeking a qualified and motivated Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) Officer for Immunization. The SBC Officer will facilitate and support the SBC components of the GSK-funded Ethiopia immunization program at the field and woreda levels. Responsibilities include supporting, monitoring, and reporting on tailored SBC interventions, conducting assessments to understand sociocultural and gender-related barriers to immunization, and collaborating closely with the project team at the Country Office and Field Offices. 

The SBC Officer will provide technical assistance to government partners at regional, zonal, and woreda levels on SBC related to immunization. They will strengthen the capacity of field project staff in SBC and demand generation for immunization. The SBC Officer will support in development of SBC strategies aligned with government community mobilization strategies to address barriers to immunization service delivery and utilization. They will also contribute to the development and review of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) messages/materials in collaboration with the Social and behavioral change coordinator and Senior Technical Specialist for SBC and other program staff.

Key Responsibilities:

- Support and monitor the implementation of SBC interventions to address factors affecting immunization service utilization.

- Conduct assessments to understand socio-cultural and gender-related barriers to immunization.

- Provide technical assistance and capacity building for government partners and field project staff.

- Develop and align SBC strategies with government community mobilization strategies.

- Contribute to the development and review of IEC/BCC materials.

- Document lessons learned and evaluate the impact of SBC activities in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

- Implement and follow up on new/adopted SBC approaches in project learning woredas.

- Build and maintain strong working relationships with government and partner agencies.

- Actively engage in communication task forces and promote evidence-based SBC strategies.

- Develop SBC plans, updates, case stories, and regular progress reports.

Qualifications:

- Proven experience in Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) interventions, particularly in immunization programs.

- Strong understanding of socio-cultural and gender-related barriers to healthcare utilization.

- Experience in capacity building and providing technical assistance to government and partner agencies.

- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

- Ability to develop and review IEC/BCC materials and strategies.

- Strong documentation and reporting skills.

- Commitment to Save the Children’s mission and values.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical public health initiative, improving the health and well-being of children in Ethiopia through innovative and effective SBC strategies.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to:  Social and behavioral change coordinator

Staff directly reporting to this post: 

Key Areas of Accountability:

SBC Technical Support:

- Collaborate with the SBC Coordinator, Sr. Technical Specialist, for SBC and community engagement to develop the project's SBC strategy, using grassroots evidence and stakeholder input.

- Facilitate the creation, dissemination, and implementation of immunization SBC work plans, tools, and materials.

- Support the development of tailored and effective SBC content, materials, messages, and media products.

- Implement and document new/adopted SBC approaches like the engagement of community and religious leaders, participatory women, and participatory men immunization groups.

- Address individual, social, and environmental factors affecting immunization service utilization through targeted SBC interventions.

- Develop and review weekly SBC intervention plans, track implementation, and monitor spending.

- Organize and support grassroots social mobilization and community engagement activities; train community-based facilitators and engage them in project planning, implementation, and monitoring.

- Provide technical guidance and training for field projects and government staff at zonal/woreda levels.

- Promote gender equity and address social norms affecting zero-dose and under-vaccination through regular updates and summaries.

- Prepare standardized periodic project SBC progress reports and donor reports.

- Contribute to the development of project deliverables, including work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and success stories.

Evidence and Learning

- Support and facilitate SBC-related studies, including the Formative Study, community mapping and develop dissemination plans to inform program implementation and policy advocacy.

- Document and share immunization SBC best practices, lessons learned, success stories, updates, and photos/videos with project stakeholders.

- Support SBC interventions during key immunization events like Africa Vaccination Week to improve service utilization and advocate for resource allocation.

Capacity Building, Networking, and Representation

- Assess and build the capacity of field teams and immunization service providers in designing and implementing high-quality SBC interventions. 

- Organize and facilitate capacity-building sessions on SBC skills, such as Human-Centred Design, Interpersonal Communication (IPC), and Community Engagement.

- Establish or strengthen Immunization SBC platforms, such as TWGs and Taskforces, ensuring regular meetings and follow-ups to improve interventions.

General

- Perform other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds him/herself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, delivering on time, achieving and role modeling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance, and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Set ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), take responsibility for their personal development, and encourage others to do the same.
• Widely shares their vision for Save the Children and engages and motivates others.
• Future-orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners, and supporters.
• Values diversity and sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

KEY COMPETENCIES (Indicative / Key Competencies)

Technical competencies:

• Drives Quality Immunization Programming: Trains and mentors others on the application of relevant SBC and Immunization sub-theme standards
• Understanding of the Impact of emergencies on immunization and health outcomes: Engages in the humanitarian aid architecture to minimize the effect of the emergency on the immunization SBC performance
• Builds the capacity of others to implement integrated SBC in Immunization programming and advocacy

Generic Competencies

• Being the Voice of Children: Promotes evidence-based policy and public engagement that includes the voices of children and their communities
• Advancing Equality & Inclusion: Displays a commitment to ensuring everything we do considers the most deprived and marginalized children 
• Building & Strengthening Partnerships: Promotes working with diverse partners as critical to delivery
• Child Rights: Promotes the rights of children in their work and work with colleagues and peers

Qualifications and Experience:

Education

- First degree in public health, health education, social psychology, health communication, or a related behavioral science field.

Experience and Skills

- Minimum of 3 years of experience in managing and implementing SBC projects focused on immunization and child health.

- Formal training and understanding of theories and frameworks related to individual behavior change and social change, including knowledge of SBC interventions and best practices.

- Practical experience in designing, planning, implementing, and evaluating behavioral interventions.

- Experience in vaccine demand-related programming is highly desirable.

- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and work effectively in team settings.

- Experience coordinating and providing technical support on immunization communication TWGs at regional, zonal, and woreda levels for health bureaus and offices.

- Proven ability to organize and facilitate training and capacity-building activities for government and project staff at various levels, including Human-Centered Design for Immunization, Interpersonal Communication (IPC), and Community Engagement.

- Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with technical working groups and government partners.

- Results-oriented, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets and approaches.

- Excellent communication skills, including group discussion facilitation, workshop organization, and presentation abilities.

- Proficient in computer skills, including MS Word, MS Excel, and other data tools.

- Commitment to the values and policies of Save the Children.

- Proficiency in English communication and writing.

Attitudes

- Team-oriented and collaborative.

- Conscious of child protection issues.

- Non-discriminatory and gender-sensitive.

- Willingness to work in remote, rural locations.