Posts
Position: Program
Officer
Location:
Kampala, Uganda
Period of
performance: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Background:
The Strengthening Partnerships, Results and Innovations in
Nutrition Globally (SPRING) Project, is a five-year cooperative agreement
funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). SPRING's
overarching vision is to prevent stunting and reduce anaemia, with particular
emphasis on intervening during the first 1000 days - from conception through a
child's second birthday. The SPRING Project is managed by the JSI Research
& Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), with support from 4 key partner agencies:
Helen Keller International; the International Food Policy Research Institute;
Save the Children; and the Manoff Group.
In Uganda, USAID has obligated funds to the SPRING Project
to support and implement nutrition activities in the Southwest region of the
country, a priority area for USAID assistance. USAID has also approved support
to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for the development of the Uganda
National Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Social Mobilization Strategy in close
coordination with complementary Advocacy and Behaviour Change Communication Sub
Strategies currently under development by FANTA and UNICEF.
The selected Program Officer for SBCC will be seconded to
the U NAP Secretariat and is expected to perform two key tasks related to
strategy development:
1. Work
closely with both the SPRING/Uganda country team and SPRING Headquarters, in
providing technical assistance in the development of the proposed
multi¬sectoral Uganda National Nutrition Social Mobilization Sub•Strategy.
2. Assist
the UNAP Secretariat in the Directorate of Policy Coordination, Monitoring and
Evaluation of the OPM with ensuring that the three sub-strateqies are
harmonised into one comprehensive Social and Behaviour Change Communication
strategy.
Both tasks will require coordination with UNICEF, FANTA
and SRRING as well as all major national
nutrition stakeholders (government ministries, UN agencies, development
partners, SUN Uganda, USAID implementing partners, and civil society
[international non-qovernmental organization, community-based and taith-based
organizations]), through a consultative process.
ResponsibilitieslActivitieslTasks
·
Identify and coordinate among all key partners/
stakeholders supporting the formation of a Nutrition Social Mobilization
Strategy development team. Provide technical support to and assist the UNAP
Secretariat, the external consultant, SPRING/Uganda country team and SPRING
Headquarters, with the planning and coordination of the proposed kick-of OPM
SBCC Partners meeting/workshop (August, 2013), to develop a "road
map", and initiate a behavioral analysis and consensus building process.
·
Provide technical support and assist the UNAP
Secretariat, the external consultant, SPRING/Uganda country team and SPRING
Headquarters, with the planning and coordination of additional stakeholder
meetings/workshops to develop and/or finalize the National Nutrition Social
Mobilization Sub•Strategy, coordinated with other elements of the National
Nutrition Social and Behavior Change Communication and Advocacy Strategy
(coordinated implementation plan, M&E framework, and costing pian).
·
Ensure regular coordination among the three
stakeholder groups developing the discrete pieces of the broader SBCC strategy
and report back to the OPM on the progress of the team, solving any issues as
they may arise.
·
Provide technical inputs and facilitate review
and discussion of the final drafts of each of the three sub strategies at the
final stakeholders meeting.
·
Work with the OPM, the external consultant,
SPRING/ Uganda country team and SPRING Headquarters, and other stakeholders -
specifically FANTA and UNICEF, to develop a coordinated and costed
implementation plan and M&E framework for the overall Advocacy and Social
and Behavior Change Communication Strategy.
·
Work with the OPM, SPRING team, and other
stakeholders to develop a dissemination plan that advocates for action and
compliance with commitments made by government, donors, the UN agencies and
civil society. The dissemination plan should clearly outline roles and
responsibilities among relevant stakeholders at the national, regional,
district and sub¬district levels.
·
Work under the supervision of the Assistant
Commissioner, Directorate of Policy Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation, to
manage the initial implementation of the finalized SBCC strategy
Eligibility Criteria:
The selected Program Officer for SBCC must be able to
articulate, document and/or demonstrate the following:
·
Familiarity/understanding of the Ugandan
context, the nutrition situation in Uganda, key stakeholders, the SUN Uganda platform,
donor nutrition and agriculture' related priorities, and other relevant
nutrition programming.
·
Relevant previous experience in the development
of national level SBCC and/or social mobilization/nutrition education/communication
related strategies and/or the provision of major technical support for strategy
development.
·
Ability to gather information, engage with and
coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders, including government ministries,
donors, UN agencies, and civil society (international non-qovernrnental organizations,
community and faith based organizations, and the private sector).
·
Technical background in/understanding of
maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) priorities, given the
proposed emphasis of the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan and the proposed Social
Mobilization strategy.
·
Understanding of the interface between
nutrition, health, agriculture, food security, livelihoods/economic
development, gender and resilience.
·
Ability to monitor and coordinate implementation
plans, targets, objectives and indicators.
Requirements:
·
Advanced university degree in Communication,
Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, Public Health, Nutrition or other
related field. A Masters' degree in Health Communication is an added advantage.
·
A minimum of 5 years' experience working in
healthrelated communication, and/or Social and Behaviour Change Communications,
and/or social/community mobilization
·
Excellent coordination skills, negotiation
skills and oral and written communication skills;
·
Experience coordinating and/or working with
development partners, UN agencies, International and local NGOs and Uganda
government ministries and parastatals
·
Must be highly organized with the ability to
multi-task:
·
Ugandan nationals are strongly preferred
How To Apply:
Applications should be addressed and delivered to the
addresses below;
The Country Manager SPRING Uganda
JSI Research and Training Institute
Block 01 Plot 295, Kaciika, Kacence, Mbarara
• Uganda
Tel +256 (486) 660012
OR On 2"' Floor, UHMG House, Plot 20 - 21/27 • 28,
Martyrs Crescent, Ntinda.
Kampala - Uganda
Or by e-mail on jobs@spring•nutrition.org.
Please include the job
title in the subject line.
Deadline for
receiving applications is Friday, 13th September 2013 at 1.00PM
SPRING will contact only the short-listed applicants. Those
who do not hear from us two weeks after the deadline should consider their
applications as unsuccessful.
JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer
committed to workplace diversity We are committed to providing equal employment
opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age,
race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability,
marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation in any employment
decisions
