Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) Advisor
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilization Advisor (ACSM)
Location: Mutare
Project Summary
The 5-year USAID funded Integrated Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Family Planning (MNCH-FP) program in Zimbabwe’s goal is to improve maternal, youth and child health and survival in beneficiary communities and populations. The geographic focus is the seven districts of Manicaland Province, focusing on activities to increase the demand and supply of integrated, quality MNCH-FP services as well delivery of family planning services through outreach in all 10 provinces. This project will provide Technical Assistance (TA) to the MOHCC in Manicaland for MNCH and direct service delivery for Family Planning through outreach services.
Position Summary
The Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization Advisor provides technical leadership and oversight for sustained demand creation activities for the FHI 360 MNCH/FP Project in Zimbabwe. The ACSM advisor will be directly responsible for the development and implementation of the project SBCC strategy in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The Advisor will oversee and coordinate sustained demand creation activities by providing technical guidance and oversight for all these program elements, ensuring the implementation of evidence-based strategies while respecting the religious and cultural settings in which programs are being implemented. The Advisor provides training, accompaniment and technical support to sub-partners and liaises closely with the Technical Director to ensure adherence to MNCH/FP national strategies and guidelines. The Advisor will work closely with the provincial/district teams, the Youth and Gender Officer and Community Systems Strengthening Officer (direct reports) to ensure that these approaches are effectively implemented; and with sub-partners to ensure harmonized approaches and seamless program delivery. The Advisor will contribute to the drafting of annual work plans, building team capacity, and monitoring and evaluating team performance.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities
With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure the project’s strategic objectives for MNCH/FP and ACSM activities are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
Provide leadership in the planning and coordination of ACSM activities in 7 districts of Manicaland province, ensuring activities are implemented on schedule and meet relevant international and national guidelines.
Lead design of an advocacy, communication and social mobilization strategy for the MNCH/FP program, identifying strategies to engage, influence and mobilize different constituencies, including political, religious and community leaders, youth and women of reproductive age in the MNCH/FP response.
Provide sub-partners with the design and implementation of their ACSM strategies.
Oversees the development of materials needed to realize the project’s SBCC strategy, which may include development and testing of training curricula, messaging, and other communication tools and materials.
Provides technical and strategic guidance in community mobilization; supporting the program’s district-based teams to meet their objectives of mobilizing and sustaining a community-based network of community mobilizers and advocates to carry out project activities; and working closely with provincial partners who collaborate on these objectives.
Coordinate development of district demand generation plans for each target population.
Roll out and disseminate updated MNCH/FP approved guidelines, standard operating procedures and other job-aids at the facility and community levels.
In collaboration with the M&E team, track progress towards relevant performance indicators, analyzing reasons for shortfalls and adapting program strategies as needed.
Support the design and implementation of feedback and response channels to enhance accountability of program vis-à-vis beneficiaries.
In collaboration with program management team, provide guidance and technical oversight to sub-partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons learned and best practices for ACSM and the MNCH/FP clinical components are documented and disseminated.
Facilitate learning exchanges among stakeholders, and support quality improvement initiatives.
Initiate and participate in evaluation of targeted demand generation strategies and assessment activities related to advocacy, community mobilization and communications with the goal of improving project outcomes.
Stays current in knowledge in the field of MNCH, ACSM, ASRH, Gender, HIV and AIDS care, prevention and treatment.
Strengthen the role of VHWs and HCCs in MNCH-FP activities including strengthening of facility and community linkages.
Review ACSM and overall program reports, provide feedback on implementation progress and performance, and identify solutions to address challenges and weaknesses.
Ensure implementation of activities in compliance with all USAID and FHI 360 administrative and operational procedures and policies.
Coordinate closely with the Technical Director, relevant MoHCC provincial and district staff (Health promotion Office) to plan ACSM activities and ensure that the national guidelines are being appropriately and consistently applied.
In collaboration with program management, contribute to the development and implementation of tools, approach and strategies to strengthen ACSM.
Present progress, achievements and lessons learned at relevant technical working groups, sectoral meetings and coordination forums.
Qualifications and Experience
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Team leadership, planning, organising & management skills.
Communicates clearly verbally and in writing.
Makes innovative and creative contributions to Project design.
Proactive, takes initiative and capitalises on opportunities.
Shows initiative for learning and self-development.
Executes work effectively and efficiently.
Acts according to FHI360 values; uses ethical considerations to guide decisions.
Manages conflicting priorities to meet deadlines under strict time constraints.
Mentors, inspires, motivates and develops junior staff.
Networks, forges and nurtures productive and good working relationships with donors and partners.
Makes quick and strategic decisions in management situations.
Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to work well both within a team and independently.
Ability to communicate with stakeholders at all levels.
Excellent interpersonal, team building and problem-solving skills and Advocacy skills.
Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with donors, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, partners and community.
Required Qualifications and Requirements:
Minimum of a master’s degree in Social Sciences, Health Promotions, Development, Communication, Public Health, or another relevant field.
At least 7 years’ experience in program management supported by an in-depth knowledge of maternal, child health and family planning, Gender, ASRH and youth issues.
Familiarity with current strategies and best practices for social and behaviour change.
Demonstrated ability to plan and deliver trainings on social mobilization and behaviour change communication.
Demonstrated knowledge of evidence based ACSM models and strategies, best practices in community health interventions, and linkage to services and approaches to addressing gender issues relating to uptake of health services.
Experience in Partnership management.
