Uganda Nationals only)
- PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY: Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work
in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and
currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja
sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. Mercy
Corps is in the fourth year of a 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded food
security program working in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search
of two Care behavior change assistants to lead community level behaviour
change activities in Kaabong (1) district. The project, called Growth,
Health and Nutrition (GHG) Program, aims to support the immediate needs of
program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring
improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja and
strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms. The Care Behaviour
Change Assistants (CBCAs) for the Care Group Team will be responsible for
the formation and supervision of care groups as well as coordination of
complementary activities to support care groups, such as promotion and
training of kitchen gardens.
GENERAL POSITION
SUMMARY:
The primary focus of
CBCAs will be to promote behavior change for maternal and child health and
nutrition at household level. This will be done through the care group
approach. Care groups are an evidence-based peer-to-peer nutrition learning
platform comprised of caregivers and led by village health teams. Care groups conduct
ongoing sensitization to promote positive maternal child health and nutrition
practices. Care Group CBCAs will be responsible for the formation and start up
of care groups, followed by implementation of ongoing health sensitization
activities through the care group platform. This includes, but is not limited
to supervision of village health teams (promoters), quality control of health
promotion activities, spot checks of leader mother activities, and ongoing
sensitization with local leadership. The CBCA will also be expected to
contribute to content development where necessary, adopt best practices when
identified, and coordinate with other NGOs, particularly GHG partner World
Vision, to ensure standardized implementation of nutrition promotion activities
and to avoid duplication of services.
CBCAs will work
closely with community leaders, including but not limited to, community elders,
sub-county leadership, role model caregivers and village health teams. The
ability to communicate effectively, respectfully and enthusiastically with
community structures will be one of the position’s three success factors. The
second will be the degree to which CBCAs drive results, producing scheduled
outputs at deadline and to expected quality. The third success factor will be
the degree to which CBCAs effectively gather activity monitoring and evaluation
data and utilize data to inform activity implementation and program learning.
ESSENTIAL JOB
FUNCTIONS: Sensitize community leadership on behavior change approaches and
conduct identification exercises • Mobilize communities to form care groups,
using a standardized approach • Organize and lead trainings for village health
team/promoters • Supervise ongoing implementation of care group maternal and
child health and nutrition promotion activities, ensuring quality control •
Coordinate with other health teams to ensure complementary approaches, monitor
implementation of project activities and document best practice and success
stories • Support CBCA colleagues to ensure team success, including but not
limited to logistics coordination, temporary support during leave, etc.
• Take responsibility for data gathering, data validation, quality control and
timely data submission including gender and age disaggregated data • Support
and mentor community partners (promoters, leader mothers) on data collection
and use • Troubleshoot monitoring and evaluation challenges for proactive
problem solving with support of • Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to
inform program implementation, actively documenting best practices and lessons
learned to share with team during routine monitoring, coordination meetings and
other learning opportunities • Ensure establishment and maintenance of
relationships with communities, village councils and local government in Kotido
and Kaabong target areas • Coordination of field activities with other NGO and
local government partners to avoid duplication of services and support an
enabling environment for health promotion • When needed, support visits from
district and sub-county government, regional and HQ based staff and external
visitors, such as donors and media, in collaboration with CoP and DCoP •
Support GHG activities with key stakeholders, ensuring collaboration with
counterparts in partner organization World Vision in relevant meetings,
internal and external. • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and
personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not
jeopardize its humanitarian mission; • Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE: A Diploma (Degree is an added advantage) in development studies,
nutrition, gender, health sciences, social sciences, or other related
development discipline, relevant advanced experience (7+ years) may be
considered in lieu of a degree • Proven experience in conducting community
mobilization, training, and networking • Experience in capacity building with
communities in Karamoja • Knowledge in behavioral change methodologies such as
care groups, Community Led Total Sanitation, and other related innovative
hygiene and sanitation approaches is a plus • Knowledge of approaches to
promote gender equality, with a training in gender a plus • Experience and
skills in working with other NGOs, government partners, and local
community-based organizations.
Other
Competencies/Attributes: • Able to speak Ng’karamojong dialect • Computer
literacy • Dynamic public speaking skills • Demonstrated ability to meet
deadlines while showing flexibility in day-to-day operations • Demonstrable
English writing and speaking skills • Excellent reporting, communication and
representation skills
Applications: Submit
your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary
requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic
qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org.
Deadline for Submission: Close of business on June 30, 2016 Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal
opportunity employer; Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
