Country: Botswana
Type: Full Time
Program (Division): Access Programs - Global Malaria
Overview
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a
global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of
disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the
capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create
and sustain high quality health systems that can succeed without our
assistance. For more information, please visit:
http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org
Overview of Role:
The Botswana’s National Malaria Programme (NMP) and Clinton
Health Access Initiative (CHAI) are seeking 5 Malaria Community Mobilization
Associates to provide support to strengthen community outreach, awareness
creation, and training sessions to prevent malaria and maximize the impact of
vector control interventions. These individuals, who will be based at the
district (5 positions) level in Okavango, Bobirwa, Tutume, Boteti and Chobe
districts, will work with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) and national
staff in Gaborone. Potential candidates are expected to analyze and monitor
disease-related data to inform optimal approaches to best develop and implement
health awareness campaigns and manage the operation of culturally appropriate
community mobilization and advocacy strategies to improve uptake of
interventions, contribute to field studies to enhance and facilitate planning
and uptake of vector control interventions, and develop and manage strong
relationships with the NMP, District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), relevant
country partners and community based organizations.
Prior experience overseeing advocacy, health promotion and
partnership development programs within Ministries of Health, and field work in
infectious disease endemic setting or in low malaria transmission areas in
southern Africa would be an advantage. The position requires a highly motivated
individual with outstanding analytical, problem-solving, organizational,
leadership and communication skills. The candidate must be able to work
independently to design, implement and monitor health promotion, community
mobilization and advocacy elimination strategies with emphasis on policy
support and social acceptance centered on malaria control and prevention.
Successful candidates should be strategic, out-of-the-box
thinkers who are capable of facilitating high-level strategic discussions with
a multi-cultural, multidisciplinary set of actors including local health
workers, community based organizations and households. In addition, candidates
will often have to deal with sensitive and complex problems at community level,
and are expected to learn about a range of programs and projects to support
their implementation activities at community levels.
This position will be based in malaria-endemic and
non-endemic areas, with travel within the country to support health promotion
and education activities. He/she will work directly with the NMP Manager,
Health Promotion and Education officers at the national and district level
officers, and execute activities prioritized by the NMP.
Note: All candidates are required to state their preference
(district name) in their cover letters.
Responsibilities
• Provide general support to the NMP and District Health
Management Teams (DHMTs) regarding malaria elimination and prevention of
outbreaks - specifically related to health education and promotion, community
mobilization, and advocacy for resources (e.g. LLINs).
• Conduct relevant analyses using surveillance and intervention data gathered
at health facilities, communities and national intervention campaigns to
understand key factors for improving community based health promotion and
mobilization activities, and selection of appropriate interventions (e.g.
SBCC).
• Provide support and guidance to the NMP and DHMTs on the implementation of
community sensitisation, mobilisation and outreach regarding malaria prevention
messages (adverts, posters and radio campaigns) at district level
• Design and produce appropriate information, education and communication (IEC)
materials for malaria elimination in close consultation with national and
district level health promotion and education teams.
• Utilise existing community structures and resources e.g. traditional healers,
village health committee (VHCs) and community based organizations as conduits
for social dialogue for malaria elimination messages.
• Work with the NMP and national health promotion and education officers to
monitor and track programme performance against the malaria elimination targets
for health promotion and education.
• Support DHMTs in selection, planning and training of community mobilizers and
volunteers for outreach campaigns and implementation of vector control
interventions (e.g. LLINs mass distribution and IRS campaigns).
• Work with DHMTs to compile comprehensive reports on community mobilization
and health education and promotion activities.
• Support standardized approaches for producing and updating national and
district level advocacy and communication strategies for malaria elimination.
• Work with the malaria programme staff to review and identify current and
potential novel approaches to prevent malaria transmission and potential
outbreaks through evidence-based materials and studies.
• Participate in country stakeholder meetings and conferences, and liaise with
relevant implementing partners to facilitate targeted approaches on health
promotion and education, community mobilisation and advocacy for malaria
elimination.
• Any other tasks identified
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in public health, communication, gender
studies, sociology, anthropology, community development, health administration,
or other related fields
• 2+ years of proven working experience in the field of public health,
specifically development and implementation of malaria advocacy and community
mobilization activities
• Significant practical experience in the provision of technical or program
management experience on health promotion and education to national malaria
programs in developing countries preferably in southern Africa
• Excellent planning and coordination skills with proven ability to work within
a team setting, and build and maintain strong relationships in a multicultural
environment
• High levels of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Excellent written and oral communication (English and Setswana) skills, and
strong organizational abilities, detail-oriented approach, and willingness to
respect and understand diverse cultural perspectives
Advantages:
• Experience working with Ministries of Health and/or other government sectors
and partners
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, presentation, quantitative, and problem
solving skills
