Community Engagement Coordinator

Introduction:

Breakthrough ACTION is an eight-year cooperative agreement from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), mandated to lead the Agency’s social and behavior change (SBC) programming globally. The project is implemented by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) in partnership with Save the Children, ideas42, Think Place, Camber Collective, Viamo, and the International Center for Research on Women.

With funding from USAID/Burundi, Breakthrough ACTION will increase the demand for family planning and sexual and reproductive health (FP/SRH) among all reproductive-age women, men, and youth to complement and bolster USAID/Burundi’s overall health strategy. The project’s mandate is articulated in two Intermediate Results (IRs):

1. Improved knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors around family planning and its outcomes on health and nutrition
2. Improved capacity of community groups and radio programs to create, disseminate, and promote accurate information around FP/SRH.

About the Role: 

The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for providing project oversight and technical support to the project team and partners in the process of planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community engagement activities in the selected project districts. Technical support will be required in the design and implementation of community engagement activities; collecting & documenting relevant case studies, and processing documents to disseminate the project’s results and successes. S/he is expected to work in close coordination and maintain good working relationships with the MOH, NGO partners, government line agencies, and community stakeholders for the smooth operation of project activities. 

He/she will be the primary responsible focal person in organizing and mobilizing partners, stakeholders, and institutions. He/she will be the in-country Community Engagement technical representative of BA and will collaborate with the BA in-country team. 

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND ATTRIBUTES:

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in social sciences, Public Health, Communications or other relevant degree or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in delivering SBC with an emphasis on CE in mid to management positions.

EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES

• Extensive experience implementing SBC, health promotion, or similar programs in Burundi 
  (or region) 
• Good understanding of the health system and policy processes; health sector programs and significant players in the community health, SBC, and SRH/FP programming in Burundi
• Proven experience in training staff and community members and strong knowledge of community capacity building for team members, government, and community counterparts
• Experience working with local/national governments and capacity strengthening of systems, partners, and staff.
• Understanding of USAID policies and procedures (highly preferred)
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Ability to present complex information succinctly and compellingly.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity, and willingness to innovate.
• Willingness to travel within the country as needed.
• Fluent oral and strong analytical and written English and French communication skills is required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others in a remote work environment.
• Good computer skills (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Demonstrates Save the Children’s core values of accountability, collaboration, integrity, ambition, and creativity.