Information, Education and Communication Coordinator

Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded VectorLink Project. VectorLink support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria. Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011. Under VectorLink, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS, and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 22 African countries where malaria is endemic. The project will also support IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party, the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Coordinator is responsible for the coordination and implementation of community mobilization in line with project objectives and the Ministry of Health at district levels. S/he will support community mobilization and communication activities during and immediately following the campaign, working closely with the local authorities and project leadership to position IRS and the post-spraying activities.

Estimated dates of engagement: 29 October – 7 December 2018
Estimated length of engagement: 36 days

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Support strengthened partnerships and collaboration between district partners, including civil societies and community leaders.
• Collate and maintain records on district community mobilization and IEC activities for reporting purposes.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports on community mobilization efforts during the spray campaign, and compilation of other project reporting, including success stories, semiannual reports, and others with the Operations Manager and the Chief of Party.
• Evaluate and document impact of IEC/BCC activities, in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Record best practices/lessons learned for informing local communities about upcoming spraying operations; encouraging community participation; educating communities on the benefits of indoor residual spraying as well as providing information on timing, safety, follow-up, etc.
• Document any challenges encountered by spray teams during implementation and recommend solutions for inclusion in future strategies.

Qualification requirements include the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Health, Community Health, Environmental Studies, or other relevant field.
• Minimum four (4) years of relevant professional experience in communications, community outreach, or public education, with previous IRS or other malaria program experience highly desirable.
• Proven experience managing IEC and community outreach /mobilization activities for international health programs is essential, experience with malaria prevention programs preferred.
• Demonstrated organizational, reporting and management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including national, provincial and district government counterparts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Applications.
• Prior experience working with USAID a plus.
• Ability to travel throughout the target districts frequently.

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