Job Title: Senior SBC Health Officer
Band / Level / Grade: 8A
Department: Health
Location: Aden
BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.
The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Senior SBC Officer will lead and implement social behavior change strategies to enhance vaccination uptake within the community. This role involves developing innovative programs, overseeing SBC initiatives, and collaborating with various stakeholders to promote positive health behaviors related to vaccination. S/He will analyze community needs, assess program effectiveness, and provide strategic guidance to ensure successful vaccination campaigns.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Community Officer will play a crucial role in enhancing community relations and fostering inclusive participation among diverse populations. S/HE will assess community needs, develop impactful programs, and advocate for resources and support to address those needs, ultimately improving the quality of life within the community. This position will be based in Aden with frequent visits to Yafee district, Lahj governorate.
WORKING RELATIONS:
- Report directly to the SBC Health Manager.
- Lead and supervise 2 SBC Assistants.
- Engage with community leaders, government representatives, Health facilities managers, and other partners.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
- Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
Program Development and Implementation:
Work with SBC health manager to supervise and evaluate the efficiency of behavior change programs to ensure that SBC initiatives align with established strategies.
Community Engagement:
- Organize and conduct community workshops, training sessions, and events to foster community involvement, raise awareness, and address misconceptions about vaccination.
- Implement outreach strategies that create an encouraging environment for behavior change, collaborating with community leaders and partners.
- Conduct outreach activities, including multimedia campaigns and community dialogue forums in targeted locations.
- Collaborate with local community and religious leaders to enhance credibility and encourage vaccination uptake.
- Facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges between households to promote vaccination acceptance within the community.
- Supervise SBC Assistants to coordinate with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in conducting vaccination awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, and community centers.
Reporting Communication, and Needs Assessment:
- Prepare reports and promotional materials to keep the community informed.
- Utilize social media and other platforms to engage with community members.
- Collect data on community health behaviors on vaccination uptake and community attitudes toward vaccination.
- Conduct surveys and gather feedback.
- Referrals community members seeking assistance to nearby HF.
- Address concerns or issues raised by the community promptly and effectively.
- Monitor the availability of vaccines and the impact of SBC initiatives and adjust strategies based on findings the in implanting areas.
- Advocate for vaccination initiatives at community forums and with local health authorities.
Capacity Building:
- Training preparation for CHVs, peer-peer, and evaluating community programs and SBC initiatives.
Leadership and Supervision:
- Supervise and mentor SBC Officers and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in executing vaccination campaigns.
- Provide training and resources to enhance the skills and effectiveness of team member
REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities):
A. Education:
- A degree in General Medicine and Surgery or equivalent experience is strongly preferred.
- Relevant courses or training in community health or public health are advantageous.
B. Experience:
- 2 -3 years of experience in NGOs or INGOs is highly desirable.
- Experience in community outreach, event planning, or social services is preferred.
C. Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to community issues.
- Cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse populations.
D. Proficiencies:
- Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is required.
- Fair communication skills in English are preferred.
Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.