Social and Behavioral Change Technical Advisor Catholic Relief Services – Zambia Country Program

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing several programmes to support vulnerable Zambians. Its recent programming areas include nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

With support from UNICEF, CRS is working with District Nutrition Coordinating Committees (DNCCs) to implement the SUN II/ MCDP2 programme in Chipata and Lundazi districts to deliver nutritional messages through the Nutrition Support Group model a main community-based platform for which the convergence of multisector nutrition interventions is possible. The Model aims at promoting the adoption of positive health and nutrition practices and consumption of nutrient dense, protein rich foods, with a focus on reducing stunting levels.

CRS is looking for applicants to fill in the position of Social and Behavioral Change Technical Advisor under the SUN II/ MCDP2 to be based in Lusaka

Job Summary:

The Social and Behavioral Change TA will provide technical assistance in the areas of Nutrition and Health with a particular focus on nutrition for the SUN II MCDP 2 project. The Social and Behavioral Change TA will focus primarily on nutrition especially maternal and child nutrition and will have significant experience in the application and use of proven behavior change models. S/he will work closely with his/her counterpart TAs in other sectors to ensure close integration of activities to jointly advance the SUN II strategy agenda. The Social and Behavioral Change TA will be the focal point for behavior change programming related to the Nutrition Support Group (NSG).

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance, Training and Program Monitoring

Provide technical assistance to CRS SUN II program in the development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition related programming to ensure high quality, effective delivery of nutrition interventions and messages that will result in changing the social behaviours of targeted household members. This shall include, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Ensure stakeholder engagement with regards to the behavioral change approach.
• Interface on behalf of CRS with key line ministries at national level, the SUN II implementing partners, UNICEF and, whenever appropriate with UN agencies to ensure that the Nutrition Support Group model is developed in manner which responds to the needs of the stakeholders
• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in Social and Behavior Change that effectively engage partners, donors, and GRZ.
• Provide technical guidance to SUN II to identify and design appropriate health and nutrition approaches including were applicable the utilization of the Nutrition Support Group.
• Participate in project monitoring and evaluation, analysis, and course-corrections to meet objectives.
• Support synergies of SBC interventions among sectors to positively influence health outcomes.
• Integrate the use of health behavior change models into other sectors to sustain project results.
• Work closely with the NSG TA to capture areas of refinement in the NSG facilitation guides
• Contribute to capacity strengthening by working closely with the NSG TA to advise on training components and developing training strategies for the behavioral change refresher trainings
• Working closely with the MEAL Team, develop and capture variables that demonstrates social behaviour change amongst the targeted households

Leadership in Nutrition

• Provide vision for Nutrition programming in SUN II
• Provide guidance during the re-design of the NSG curriculum
• Contribute to strategic program plans within the project with particular emphasis on Nutrition.
• Assist with the testing of new Health /Nutrition tools developed by the Sun II project.
• Work closely with other TAs to promote integration of Nutrition programming and use of proven Behavior Change Communication models across multiple sectors.
• Familiarity with donor Nutrition-related strategies and serve as a resource person on all aspects of SUN II Nutrition strategies.
• Conduct regular technical visits to SUN II districts to support effective management of ongoing Nutrition activities.

Networking and Alliance-Building

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Facilitate and lead project sharing learning and collaboration for nutrition based on evaluations of nutrition SBC activities within SUN II.
• Represent CRS Zambia and actively participate in donor and professional workshops, meetings, and working groups on Social and Behavioral Change Nutrition related SBC.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in development studies, nutrition/ food science, public health, behavioral economics, social marketing, communications, psychology, or another related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in international nutrition/health development either as a technical advisor or health program manager
• Experience in the design of approaches intended to improve food security and nutrition.
• Experience in program design/management, program quality and performance assessment as part of ongoing efforts to improve aid effectiveness.
• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in social and behavior change, communication, or social marketing.  General knowledge of other related disciplines and programmatic sectors within CRS to ensure proper cross-sectoral approach.
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation, and training applying adult learning principles and practices.
• Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks

Required Languages – English. Knowledge of other local languages is an added advantage.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 %.

• Willingness to travel extensively and at short notice

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Ability to contribute to written reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

Integrity
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Builds Relationships
Develops Talent
Strategic Mindset
Accountability & Stewardship
Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CRS Zambia Head of Programs; SUN II Project Director; Technical Advisors for Nutrition Support groups; Program Managers, MEAL Team.

External: Collaborate with UNICEF (donor), Government of Zambia Key line ministries, other national and international NGOs, and the National Food and Nutrition Commission and DNCC Coordinators and Sector Heads.

SAFEGUARDING Disclaimer Clause:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS’ recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Important Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Equal Opportunity Employer