In 2021, USAID Kenya awarded Abt Associates, the Kenya Vector Control Activity, now renamed PMI Kinga Malaria. It seeks to build on PMI investments under PMI AIRS and VectorLink. The purpose of the project is to plan, implement, provide technical assistance for, monitor, and evaluate critical malaria vector control activities.
This includes indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide
treated net (ITN) activities for prevention of malaria in Kenya.
The project has six objectives:
(1) indoor residual spraying and other proven vector control
interventions,
(2) entomological monitoring and surveillance,
(3) ITN durability monitoring
(4) data driven decision making to inform strategic deployment
of ITNs and IRS,
(5) capacity building of Kenya national malaria program and
selected counties and
(6) continuous net distribution system in the community through
multiple channels.
In 2024, Abt Associates shall implement IRS in Busia and Migori
Counties and in other counties thereafter as determined by USAID Kenya.
In close collaboration with the Division of National Malaria
Program (DNMP), Migori and Busia County governments, PMI Kinga Malaria seeks to
recruit professionals in different fields to support in implementation of
Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in all the seven sub-counties in Busia County
namely, Bunyala, Butula, Matayos, Nambale, Samia, Teso North and Teso South;
and Five sub-counties in Migori county namely; Awendo, Uriri, Suna East, Suna
West and Nyatike.
The positions being sought are as follows:
Job
title: IEC Assistant
Supervisor: SBCC
Coordinator
Location: Migori
and Busia Counties, Kenya
No.
required: 13 (7 in Busia and 6 in Migori)
Overall,
Purpose: The IEC Assistant will assist in coordination and implementation
of project related community Social Behaviour Change communications and
mobilization activities in the sub-County under the direct supervision of the
SBCC Coordinator. Working closely with the sub county coordinators, sub-county
IRS steering committee, site coordinators and site supervisors
S/He will facilitate and coordinate all PMI Kinga Malaria pre,
during and post spraying SBC activities including community mass mobilization
activities, branding/marking and communication activities in the said
sub-County.
Specific
Responsibilities:
- Ensure
strengthened partnerships and collaboration between MOH – sub county
steering team and other like-minded partners working in the respective sub
county.
- Coordinate all
mass mobilization activities in the respective sub county by ensuring that
the sub location mobilizers coordinate their movement well and visit their
assigned community social groups/ institutions.
- Ensure
mobilization activities are implemented as per the mobilization calendars
and are well coordinated with spray calendars.
- Collect and
document success stories weekly from the field and ensuring that all those
interviewed for success stories have signed consent forms, and forms
clearly labeled and filed in the sites.
- Take action
photos daily capturing activities in the field, with special emphasis on
spray activities, mobilization activities, mass mobilization, morning
mobilization and end of day mobilization and include these in the weekly
reports.
- Submit weekly
progress reports to the SBCC Coordinator capturing progress of
mobilization activities, challenges experienced, lessons learned and
successes.
- Together with
the site coordinator and the site supervisors, train and orient both the
sub location mobilizers and the mobilizers team lead on their key roles
- Ensure that
the mobilization team is actively involved in ensuring that all community
members are aware about IRS and other malaria interventions carried out in
the community.
- Ensure that
the sub location mobilizers have materials to carry out their mass
mobilization activities. E.g., megaphones, mobilizer pocket guide,
reflector jackets, notebooks, and pens
- Ensure that
the various operations sites are branded with banners at the entrance and
have posted IRS stickers on major public areas and IRS SOP vehicles.
- Ensure that
all the mobilizer team leads send data daily using the given format to
their respective site coordinators.
- Ensure that
the relevant data forms from the field are delivered to the sites promptly
and verified.
- Ensure that
completed mobilizer data forms from the field are filed accordingly in
every operations site.
- Ensure that
all the forms received in the field are entered in ODK as prescribed by
the program.
- Conduct
quality control and assurance checksto ascertain community mobilization
and communication work is done to agreeable standards and correct key
messages are being given to the community.
- Provide
updates and analysis of key developments in targeted thematic areas.
- Organize and
participate in community sensitization activities and ensure that minimal
or zero refusals to IRS is experienced.
- Attend
stakeholder meetings including chiefs barazas, church meetings, school
visits, youth, and women group meetings together with the sub location
mobilizers on behalf of PMI Kinga malaria at the sub locationand ward
level and documenting the deliberations in the relevant data tools.
- Attend county
commissioners’ weekly briefing, document deliberations and submit to the
project officer.
- Pay special
& focused attention to special groups that have been hard to reach
e.g., fisher folk, gold miners, traditional wizards & boda boda riders
by meeting their leaders and ensuring that their members are available to
have their structures sprayed.
- Attend
pre-natal health talks at the sub county health facilities to talk to
pregnant women about IRS and other malaria prevention measures.
- Data entry of
all the mobilizer forms from the field
- Advocate for
and ensure total adherence to MOH and project’s COVID 19 mitigations
measures.
Required
qualifications and experience:
- Diploma in a
relevant field plus two years’ experience in community development, public
health, social sciences, or other related discipline. Bachelor’s degree is
highly preferred.
- Knowledge in
report writing and public speaking.
- Must have had
a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience in community
mobilization.
- Must have
knowledge of the social structures existing in the respective sub county.
- Good
understanding of the terrain, the sub locations, and villages in the sub
county
Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities:
- Proven
experience managing IEC and community outreach /mobilization activities
for local health programs is essential, experience with malaria prevention
programs preferred.
- Excellent
interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
- Conversant and
able to communicate in the English, Kiswahili and local language.
- Basic
photography skills would be an added advantage.
- Advocacy-related
skills required.
- Ability to
work under pressure and independently with minimum supervision.
- Ability to train
groups on heath related issues.
- Strong
computer skills required.
- Report writing
skills desirable.
NB: These
positions will be on a short-term contract, not more than 2 months and/or on a
need basis and those who participated in previous campaigns will have an added
advantage. All qualified applicants including minorities, women and individuals
with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To
Apply
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit
www.jobsinkenya.co.ke for details of the job descriptions on the job listings
noted above and send a cover letter and updated CV to Kenyajobs@abtassoc.com
with the title of the position being applied for in the e-mail subject line
specifying the work location preferred i.e. county and/or Operations Site as
applicable e.g. ‘Store keeper-Migori county – Wath Onger Dispensary’ by COB,
Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
Equal
Opportunity Employer
As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, Abt
Associates is committed to fostering a diverse, multicultural work environment
where our employees respect one another and share a commitment to our firm’s
values, mission, and strategies. Abt Associates Inc. provides equal employment
to all participants and employees without regard to age, race, color, sex,
creed, citizenship status, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status.
