Programme Overview:
Chemonics International Inc. seeks an experienced professional to undertake the role of Community Outreach Officer for an anticipated DFID-funded, Pakistan Delivering Accelerated Family Planning Behaviour Change Communication (DAFPAK BCC) programme. The £13m UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) Programme seeks to target many of the barriers to using modern family planning methods. It will comprise multi-channel, multi-message, tailored approach to change attitudes and behaviours, targeting a broad range of stakeholders and incorporating cost effective strategies such as use of positive deviants. The specific approaches will be informed by research funded by this programme early in its implementation. Messages will be integrated into all opportunities for face-to-face communication at the household and community level to overcome remaining individual-level and community-wide barriers where there is unmet need, linked to nearby supported social franchisees or mobile outreach. These messages will address acceptability and desired fertility, myths and misconceptions, health concerns, influence of mothers-in-law and husbands, and spousal communication, as well as access barriers through knowledge of service availability.
Job Description:
The Community Outreach Officer will oversee the provincially based BCC representatives to ensure that DAFPAK is implementing cost effective strategies for multi-channel, multi-message behaviour change while constantly identifying opportunities for face to face communications at the community and household levels. The Community Outreach Officer will need to effectively work with DAFPAK BCC media team, local and provincial leadership, and other key stakeholders across the health system to ensure that the target audiences are being reached, that grassroots level support is effective, and research results are used to inform continual programmatic adjustments in a coordinated, sustainable and equity focused approach. The Community Outreach Officer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Support the media team in developing/refining research on groups with highest unmet family planning needs to identify barriers to access and use.
- Coordinates provincial level work and oversees BCC provincial representations and technical advisors located outside of Islamabad.
- Assist in developing and implementing a strategy to effectively influence community level stakeholders.
- Helps review and analyze MERL data and propose programmatic shifts to ensure broad reach and effecive and sustainable approached.
- Helps identify areas for leveraging local resources and provides capacity building support to grass roots organizations and other partners.
- Directly backstops, coaches and mentors BCC provincial representatives and serves as the primary liaison between these and the Islamabad office.
- Participate in the production and dissemination of public information and communication materials in a range of media: print, radio, video and electronic media.
- Develop and maintain relations with key state, government, NGO and civil society institutions and organizations to support the work of the DEFPAK BCC in Pakistan.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluating public information, communications and outreach of the programme.
- Assist the media officer in media work, as directed, including in press conferences, dissemination and coordination with local and provincial groups.
- Support the team lead in writing the evaluation report and briefing papers.
Job Specifications:
- At least a master’s degree in a relevant field (communications, public relations, or related field) and seven years of professional experience or a Ph.D. in a relevant field with at least five years of experience.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse communication methods and strategies.
- Specific experience assessing resilience and community engagement programs strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
- Ability to work on socially sensitive challenges within the Pakistani context.
- Ability to foster successful partnership approaches and relationships among a range of stakeholders, including programme partners, donors, private sector organisations, NGOs and government departments.
- Excellent communication skills including presentation, facilitation and report writing skills – samples of written work may be requested.
- Relevant family planning experience at the community level is preferred.
- Relevant household gender power dynamics research and experience is desired.
- Punjabi and/or Pashto language skills a plus.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Anticipated Duration of Project: Up to 3.5 years with a possibility of extension.
Note: Applications will only be accepted that are received through the link provided below:
https://ghdrecruit.formstack.com/forms/delivering_accelerated_family_planning_public_sector_service_delivery_dafpak_sd__copy
Chemonics International Inc. is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.