Community Development Coordinator- Kenya Country Office

Community Development Coordinator- Kenya Country Office
TEAM/PROGRAMME:Signature programme	LOCATION:  Bungoma
GRADE:  TBC	POST TYPE: National
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people
ROLE PURPOSE: SCI Kenya is in the process of implementing a signature maternal and newborn health (UNH) that is expected to significantly contribute to achievement of Kenya’s MDG 4 and 5 targets. The programmatic model will actualize continuum of care approach mixed with an integrated package of quick wins, a minimum community health care package and a strengthened health system approach to maternal and newborn health programming across Save the Children’s Theory of Change. Save the Children will work with the government of Kenya both national County communities to address the maternal and neonatal health challenges in the country in a way that would deliver significant impacts for Children and Women by the end of the 5 year period. SCOPE OF ROLE: This post will play a critical role in ensuring effective community mobilisation and participation strategies in the Signature Programme (SP) are implemented based on our Theory of Change. The Coordinator is accountable for providing technical support and assistance to the programme for the design, formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of community mobilisation for behaviour and social change in support of the SP. The post-holder will also be responsible for the design and development of context-specific BCC material for health communication (focused on maternal and newborn health).  He/she will be able to engage with versatile and current media strategies (including digital and mobile media) for communication as well as participate in health advocacy.
Dimension: Save the Children has supported children in Kenya since before its Independence in 1963 and has had a consistent operational presence in the country since 1984. We provide support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, Health, HIV/AIDS, Livelihoods, Nutrition and WASH. Save the Children has an operational presence in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Meru and Wajir. With plans to expand into Bungoma and Turkana in 2014. We work through partners in many other parts of the country. Currently, we have a staff complement of approximately 240 staff and an operating budget of approximately US$21 million this year. Currently, we have a staff complement of approximately 260 staff and a confirmed budget of approximately US$18 million this year. Staff directly reporting to this post:  2
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: Support to Programme Delivery Provide technical support for the implementation of the community mobilisation and participation aspect of the Signature Programme, including training, materials adaptation and monitoring of outcomes. Work with the SP manager and the Health/HIV Technical Advisor for the development, management and facilitation of the SP community engagement strategy, plan of action and activities for strategic communication and promotion for social and behavioural change in support of the Signature Programme delivery. ·         Promote and influence behaviour development/change at community/individual/household levels, social mobilisation of civil society organisations and increased community participation in development programmes. Propose viable recommendations/cost-effective solutions on community development strategies, approach, plans, methods and procedures in the areas of participatory engagement, social mobilisation and behaviour change and on appropriate materials and media to reach target audiences. Support the field officers in identification and training of community mobilisation and participation core teams and facilitators from the community. ·         Provide support and assistance in the development, pre-testing and production of culturally relevant communication materials to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery including facilitating behavioural change where necessary. Work with the SPM-Health and the Health/HIV Technical Advisor in  the development of behaviour change communication (BCC) strategies and approaches related to interpersonal, small group, community mobilization and mass media interventions and translate these into action to improve demand for maternal and newborn health services and adoption of healthy behaviours Partnerships for social mobilisation ·         Develop partnerships with religious groups, women’s groups, traditional birth attendants, health care providers, community health committees  and other organised groups in the community to orient them on the programme goals and to solicit their involvement in the implementation of the programme ·         Develop close collaboration with various professional groups and non-governmental organisations implementing the community health strategy to facilitate cross organisational learning. ·         Provide effective coordination and technical support to county government counterparts and other partners in community development and communication for social change Represent Save the Children in county and national fora to share good practice and ensure the achievement of advocacy and policy objectives. Monitoring and evaluation ·         Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team and the operations research partner for monitoring and evaluation of programme activities including preparation of monitoring reports, documents and lessons learned. ·         Supports the development and implementation of an accountability mechanism for participants in the Signature Programme. ·         Carry out regular field monitoring of programme ·         Provides technical advice to programme staff, government officials and partners to coordinate and manage the evaluative elements of community development milestone meetings, such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews. ·         Facilitate the dissemination of communication research findings, and ensures exchanges and sharing of experience, lessons learned, best practices, and new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other SCI partners as well as within the organisation
SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice) Accountability: ·         Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values ·         Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved Ambition: ·         Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same ·         Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others ·         Future orientated, thinks strategically Collaboration: ·         Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters ·         Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength ·         Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to Creativity: ·         Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions ·         Willing to take disciplined risks Integrity: ·         Honest, encourages openness and transparency
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Advanced university degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, participatory communication, and research. Minimum five years of relevant professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes. ·         Experience in community mobilisation and child participation within the development context. Experience working with the Kenya Community Health Strategy is an added advantage Demonstrable commitment to health and development and to the right of the poorest to quality health and health services, with strong experience of health programming and advocacy activities ·         Demonstrated experience of developing effective working relationships with senior stakeholders from government agencies, international organisations, donors, NGO, academics and opinion-leaders, including successful advocacy and influencing. ·         Demonstrated effectiveness in behaviour change communication. ·         Successful use of media and other communication strategies for social development. ·         Proven experience in advocacy. ·         Strong expertise and understanding of key issues in the field of health, such as health financing, health system strengthening, the right to health and health service delivery. Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English and strong inter-personal and advisory skills Competencies Has high-level communication skills’, including engaging and informative formal public speaking. Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment. Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals. Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives. Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partners Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities. Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise. Proven ability to work as a team. Candidate must be willing to abide by the Save the Children Child Safeguarding Policy in all aspects of work.
Date of issue:  28/02/2014

How to Apply

Please send your application by email to: Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org

Please indicate ‘Community Development Coordinator’ as the subject heading

Application deadline: 11^th March., 2014

Any canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

1)     Do you have experience implementing the community health strategy – yes (30), no (0)

2)     Do you have experience in participatory approaches to community mobilisation – yes (20), no (0)

3)     Do you have any experience developing behaviour change communication strategies – yes (20), no (10)

4)     Do you have proven experience with advocacy – yes (10), no (5)

5)     Do you have a health and/or community development back ground – yes (10), no (0)