VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – SPECIALIST IN SBC AND ADVOCACY – Gombe State

Malaria remains a major cause of illness and death in the African Region. In Nigeria, it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for about 30% of childhood deaths and 11% of maternal deaths. It is estimated by WHO that about 53 million cases occur annually. Nigeria accounts for 53% of malaria cases in West Africa and about 25% of the global malaria burden. It is also estimated that 81,640 deaths occur in Nigeria annually (about 9 deaths per hour). This is about 45% of total malaria deaths in West Africa and 19% of global malaria death. Additionally, at least one billion USD is lost each year as a direct result of malaria infections making malaria a leading cause of poverty, low productivity, and reduced school attendance.
The donor Partners including the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are supporting Government’s efforts toward a malaria free Nigeria. The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) is one of the two Principal Recipients (PRs) of Global Fund malaria grant. NMEP is looking for qualified individual to fill the position indicated below at her office in Abuja.

Scope of work

The Specialist will: • Provide technical support for ACSM (Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilisation) activities that will target key malaria behaviours, like the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN), uptake of IPTp, proper diagnosis before treatment and complete treatment with ACT (Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy). • Provide support to generate, analyse and share data on outcomes and impact of social and behavior change activities as part of the evidence base for improved uptake of malaria intervention and prevention services. • Support NMEP ACSM branch to assess the SBC situation and based on the findings support the design of suitable strategies and mechanisms for monitoring quality of malaria SBCC (Social and behaviour change communication) activities based on developed/reviewed guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support in the design and implementation of effective ACSM strategies that meet the needs of different target groups in the intervention states; • Support the stratification of SBC activities based on an Epi analysis and conduct a situation analysis of ACSM activities in Nigeria including availability, quality or impact of the activities in the GF supported states and offer appropriate recommendations based on the findings. • Assist in the development and implementation of a communication package for OTSS with a special emphasis on checking on test positivity issue & on-site capacity strengthening. • Provide technical support for social media and mass media programming; • Implement strategies to engage, influence and mobilize different target audiences, including political, religious and community leaders in the fight against malaria in Nigeria; • Provide support in the review, roll out and dissemination of SBC materials for malaria prevention at all levels; • Provide linkages and support coordination of meetings, trainings and field visits, etc.