SBC Coordination Consultant

JOB OVERVIEW 

The SBC consultant will be responsible for planning and implementing Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and community engagement initiatives under the Health Education Cell (HEC) of the Directorate General Health Services (DGHS) in Punjab and ensuring effective coordination, collaboration, and integration across various sectors. This role focuses on liaising with stakeholders, building partnerships and leading SBC activities. By fostering relationships with stakeholders, academia, faith-based groups/organizations and all Health Vertical Programs, the SBC Consultant will play a crucial role in promoting health education and the well-being of the communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

   Coordination and planning

• Provide technical assistance and support to the Government in implementing SBC-related tasks and to develop plans, tools, and templates in program-specific and other districts of Punjab.  
• Coordination and support to the Government for smooth implementation and functioning of the already established SBC coordination mechanisms under the Health Education Cell. 
• Develop SBC strategies and approaches to respond to the situation as it evolves.
• Engage clusters/thematic areas and strengthen multisectoral Community Engagement coordination mechanisms. 
• Coordination, technical assistance, and support in planning to the implementing partners (IPs) of UNICEF in program districts and other areas of interventions.
• Identify, develop, and maintain partnerships with provincial partners, including 
• UN agencies, INGOs, media, academia, research institutions, religious leaders’ associations, medical associations and other relevant organizations and coordinate for their involvement in SBC activities and interventions.

   Support Implementation and Operationalization

• Quality assurance in the implementation of program activities, and other humanitarian interventions in program-specific and other districts of Punjab.
• In compliance with the people-centered approached of SBC, ensure participation of at-risk and affected populations in all steps of planning, implementation, and monitoring process.
• Provide oversight and technical guidance to rollout action plans on SBC interventions.
• Work with CSOs to reach vulnerable and rural communities with community engagement activities using interpersonal communication and other media as appropriate.

   Generate and Utilize Research, Data and Evidence

• Use data from rapid assessments and other participatory approaches (e.g. Social and Behavioural Analysis, Risk Analysis and Community Engagement Needs Assessment; CE, SBC Humanitarian Needs Overview) to design and implement informed interventions.
• Coordinate with the AAP team to establish community feedback mechanisms and use it for informed SBC activities.
• Conduct Rapid Community Assessments. 
• Guide CE, and SBC contribution in sitreps and reports.

   Capacity Strengthening

• Building onto the existing resources, adapt and or develop training material to build the capacities of the Government officials, partners, health workers and frontline workers on SBC during humanitarian actions as well as developmental interventions. 
• In coordination with provincial stakeholders, organize and facilitate capacity building of Government staff, CSOs, Religious leaders and other relevant partners and stakeholders in program districts and other districts with UNICEF interventions.

   Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Where possible, liaise with CSOs, Government partners and UN agencies to collect, analyze and report real-time information and data on SBC-related activities on a periodic basis to be shared with the program team at provincial and federal levels. 
• Conduct and/or participate in Monitoring and Evaluation exercises, including 
• participation in emergency management team meetings and to assess/report on efficacy and outcome of SBC interventions.
• Train staff on developing case studies and human-interest stories and documentation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Mass Communication or Social Sciences. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 05 years of relevant professional experience in the development sector specifically in the field of communication, demand generation, risk communication and community engagement, community-based social mobilization, and evidence generation is required. 
• Relevant experience conducting, managing and designing fieldwork and data collection for research projects.

REQUIRED SKILLS 

• Excellent written English communication skills, with a focus on quantitative data analysis and descriptive reports for diverse audiences, will be an asset. 
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to facilitate communication and coordination between various levels of management and partners and work independently in order to meet deadlines
• Fluency in English and Urdu is required. Knowledge of local languages is an asset.

 DISCLAIMER  

• MicroMerger reserves the right to reject any or all applications or change the number of positions at any stage without assigning any reason or as per requirements.
• Any Candidate/Applicant who attempts to or influences the recruitment process or the Selection Panel by any means shall be disqualified immediately.
• MicroMerger will not consider applicants not fulfilling the requirements/criteria mentioned above.
• Incomplete applications will not be entertained.
• MicroMerger reserves the right to cancel the whole hiring process at any stage without mentioning any reason.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for tests and/or interviews via call or Email.
• MicroMerger provides equal opportunity to all qualified Male & female candidates. Females are encouraged to apply. 
• All jobs are of visual nature. Visually impaired applicants cannot be entertained.
• Recruitment will be made on a contract basis, extendable based on rising needs
• Shortlisted candidates will have to bring their CVs, attested copies of CNIC, certificates, experience certificates and educational qualifications at the time of the interview
• No TA/DA or any expense would be admissible during the whole hiring process including interviews, tests etc