Mercy Corps
Social, Structural, & Behavioral Change Advisors For Nutrition
Resilience – Samburu / Turkana County
Job
Category: Programming
Requisition
Number: SOCIA003107
Full-Time
Locations: Lodwar,
Maralal
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.
The
Program / Department / Team
With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps’ Nawiri Program is leading a consortium of Kenyan and international partners on a five-year journey to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya.
Through
a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as
partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust
county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from
communities, the private sector, and civil society.
Mercy
Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity,
technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with
local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions.
Together
we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable
populations in Turkana and Samburu counties.
The
Position Summary
The
Nawiri Social, Structural, & Behavioral Change (SSBC) Advisor for Nutrition
will provide strategic leadership in the design, development, and execution of
a coherent SSBC for Nutrition Resilience Strategy that crosscuts all areas of
the project.
During
the first phase of Nawiri, s/he will ensure the program’s research and learning
agenda is designed and routinely iterated to build a robust evidence base for
informing strategic investments for driving social, structural, and behavioral
change.
This
will include championing a determined search for interventions that address
social and structural determinants of persistent acute malnutrition that are
both amenable to change and scalable, with particular attention to identifying
opportunities for testing modifications to existing interventions or platforms.
Working
across all program areas, and in close collaboration with the Learning and
Research Teams, s/he will support the Nawiri team to routinely analyze emergent
findings of research and learning activities through a systems lens with focus
on implications for risks and opportunities related to SSBC.
The
SSBC for Nutrition Resilience Advisor will also provide technical support
across all of Nawiri’s strategic learning areas that will be reflected in
Nawiri’s SSBC for Nutrition Resilience strategy and approach.
The
SSBC Advisor will report directly to the Deputy Chief of Party and provide
strategic and technical guidance across the program, ensuring teams work in
harmony to produce desired program results.
The
SSBC for Nutrition Resilience Advisor will have dotted technical support lines
to SSBC personnel and functions embedded within implementing teams at the
county levels.
Essential
Job Responsibilities
VISION
AND STRATEGY
· Support
the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) by providing vision and strategy to the
program approach and how SBCC integrates into the overall technical direction
and implementation.
· Forge
strong, institutional linkages and maintain a productive working relationship
with USAID, Government of Kenya, the CRS consortium, PREG Partners, and other
relevant partners in economic and market-related activities.
· Assist
in defining and analyzing Nawiri practices and priorities across all partners;
identifying opportunities for integration and synergies within other sectors
such as nutrition, health, water systems, and governance.
· Recognize
opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative
viewpoints are welcomed; promote and model a culture of learning and adaptive
management.
· Ensure
that cross-cutting aspects of the program such as gender equality, social
inclusion, youth, climate adaptation, and resilience are included and well
integrated and cut across all activities
· Collaborate
with different program components including research, implementation,
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and learning to drive overall
effectiveness and coherence of program strategy from inception to scale up.
TECHNICAL
LEADERSHIP
· In
close collaboration with all Nawiri stakeholders, lead in the design,
development, execution and iteration of a risk-informed SSBC strategy for
improving nutrition resilience that is evidence-based, tailored to local
realities, and responsive to risk and opportunities.
· Provide
SSBC technical leadership for Nawiri consortium members and county partners,
including frequent travel to Samburu and Turkana to provide on-site capacity
building and technical assistance.
· Lead in
the identification and development of innovative approaches for changing the
attitudes, perceptions, and practices around decision-making for health and
nutrition outcomes, at multiple levels and scales (e.g. individual, HH,
community, public and private sector institutions, etc.)
· Develop
comprehensive behavior change tools and SBC campaign activities using
evidence-based theories and methodologies, in close collaboration with external
stakeholders.
· Support
in the design community-level interventions that target caretakers of children,
household and community decision makers, farmers, and community members at
large to increase demand for nutritious, diverse, and safe diets.
· Provide
oversight of SBC activities implemented by Nawiri partners.
· Manage
the work of external agencies (research firms, advertising agencies, public
relations experts, production vendors, community mobilizers, and/or consultants
hired by the program) to assist with SBC. This includes building capacity of
local implementing partners to implement quality and successful SBC work.
· Ensure
that SBC materials are pre-tested, proven effective, and used efficiently.
· Work
with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager to measure and document
progress and impact of SBC activities.
PROGRAM
SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENTATION
· Provide
leadership and oversight in the development of risk-informed and
shock-responsive SSBC tools, materials, and communication channels.
· Provide
strategic, technical guidance and direction to the program, ensuring alignment
with latest technical information, evidence and approaches in the SSBC field;
· Oversee
programmatic and technical aspects related to SSBC activities ensuring SSBC
efforts are evidence-based and coordinated, and in line with the Nawiri goal
and principles.
· Function
as the “lead learner” (e.g. equivalent to “principal investigator” for
research) on at least one of Nawiri’s strategic learning areas; provide
leadership and management in all aspects of the activity.
· Support
in the development of research and learning agenda and activities; provide
strategic support across all research and learning activities, including by
identifying and actioning strategic opportunities for rapidly testing and
adapting innovative approaches for addressing social and structural
determinants of persistent acute malnutrition
· Transfer
capacity of SSBC frameworks and approaches within the consortium and across the
larger community of practice.
TEAM
MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION
· Work
closely with the Systems Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead and team
to cultivate county leaders’ commitments to policies and programs that support
nutrition resilience and promote changes in social and structural conditions
that contribute to persistent acute malnutrition.
· Work
closely with the Strategic Learning Lead to drive the learning agenda within
Nawiri and other partners in Turkana and Samburu, and the wider community of
practice
· Work
with other team leads to coordinate reporting to the donor
· Represent
Mercy Corps and Nawiri at strategic meetings, events, and conferences.
· Develop
case studies and other products to communicate key program learnings related to
SBC
· Contribute
to the design and implementation of M&E activities, including any baseline,
end-line, or other activities related to SBC.
· Assist
in the development of all program reports, work plans and budgets as
appropriate.
· In
accordance with the Deputy Chief of Party, take on representation role on
specific coordination forums. Communicate effectively to ensure the program is
accurately represented.
· Any
other task, as identified in consultation with supervisor
Security
· Work
closely with the country team’s security focal point to promote and maintain
systems that promote the safety and security of all team members. Ensure that
gender specific needs and interests of program staff in relation to safety and
security are identified and responded to appropriately.
ORGANIZATIONAL
LEARNING
As
part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our
understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and
relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5%
of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as
themselves.
ACCOUNTABILITY
TO PARTICIPANTS
Mercy
Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability,
specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding
international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary
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.
Supervisory
Responsibility:
No
direct supervisory responsibility. The SSBC Advisor directly supports
Nawiri-based behavioral change staff. Technical oversight of field based
activities is undertaken by Nawiri staff and partners.
Accountability
Reports
Directly To: Deputy Chief of Party
Works
Directly With: Strategic Learning Lead, Research Design Lead,
Institutional Strengthening Lead, M&E team, partner agencies, local
government, USAID and support departments (Finance, HR and Operations).
Coordinates with HQ Program Performance team and the Technical Support Unit
(TSU)
Minimum
Qualifications & Transferrable skills
· A
Master’s degree in Behavioral or Social Sciences, Public Health, Social
Psychology, Communications, Marketing, Health Communication, Behavioral
Economics, or other relevant behavioral/social science field or Bachelor’s
degree with at least 7-10 years of additional relevant experience.
· At
least 7-10 years of demonstrated experience in designing and implementing SSBC
activities, preferably in northern Kenya. Demonstrated success in generating
and executing innovative and effective social, structural and behavior change
solutions.
· Experience
applying a range of SBC approaches, including social marketing and nudges, or a
willingness to learn to apply a range of new and innovative SBC approaches.
· Knowledge
and understanding of local cultural practices, social networks, and gender and
age dynamics in northern Kenya
· Experience
collaborating with county officials and leaders, building community capacity
and leading community mobilization.
· Experience
building capacity of civil society and/or government entities in social and
behavior change.
· Demonstrated
success in building and managing relationships with various donors and
implementing partners.
· Ability
to deliver quality work within deadlines and work independently and
cooperatively with team members
· Systems
thinker with strong analytical skills; flexible and creative in planning and
problem solving
· Ability
and willingness to travel to the field (Samburu and Turkana) at least 50% of
the time.
· Professional
fluency in English; Excellent oral and written communication skills.
· Demonstrates
patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, determination and a sense of humor
· Excellent
written and persuasive oral communication skills in English required.
· Ability
to travel for field missions for 30-50% level of effort as needed.
Success
Factors
A
successful SSBC for Nutrition Resilience Advisor will be proactive, flexible,
and comfortable with the likely reality that the roles and responsibilities of
this position will evolve and change as this unique program progresses.
S/he
will have strong technical skills combined with strategic visioning and
leadership.
S/he
will have an outstanding ability to inspire teams to deeply understand the
social determinants that underlie human interaction and integrate this
understanding into activities to enhance program impact.
S/he
will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity
building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills.
Multi-tasking,
prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and
strategic vision are essential.
With
a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, the successful candidate
will thrive in the evolving and changing environment.
The
Advisor must make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all
situations.
Living
Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is
based in Turkana or Samburu County.
This
position requires frequent travel by road and air to field offices in less
secure environments.
This position
is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
Mercy
Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when
deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting.
Team
members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect
local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values
at all times and in all in-country venues.
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 and have
signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
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 elearning courses
upon hire and on an annual basis.
CLICK HERE to apply online.
Applications
will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Female
candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Mercy
Corps does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
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