HEALTH PROMOTION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (HPCE) MANAGER

Main Purpose of the Position

Overall responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Health Promotion & Community Engagement (HPCE) program in MSF project, as well strengthening community action and being the responsible for capacity building of the HP team, according to MSF principles, protocols, and standards. 

Preferably, the HPCE manager oversees the HPCE program in one project, but in specific situations the HPCE manager can have a flying role for multiple projects. 

Accountabilities 

HPCE strategy, activities and monitoring

• Responsible for the design/development of a regular updated HPCE strategy, activities, tools and monitoring system. Accountable for budget planning.
• Follow up and support the HP supervisor on the implementation of the HPCE strategy (workplan, according to the chronogram; tool creation; training)
• Ensure participatory approaches and patient/community consultation before and during implementation of the HPCE strategy.
• Ensuring that the right process is followed for the design the health education materials and participatory methods. (Pretexting, validation of content, translation)
• Provide technical input and support to situation analysis (Rapid assessments/surveys / rumours-feedback monitoring) and ensure final reporting and information sharing with the project team.
• Supervision of the implementation of community-based surveillance (data collection, active case finding, linkage to care, tracing)
• Support the LCEs/supervisor on the organization of community meetings.
• Contribute to the updated community mapping (community mapping, stakeholders, GIS etc.)
• Ensure and regularly sharing with PC and medical team on updates regarding community mapping.
• Capitalization: document on lessons learned and capitalize on experiences (handover report, end of mission report, capitalization report)
• Ensure regular collaboration with other supervisors / managers (SRH, MH, NTS, NAM, MAM, Social Work, EH/WASH, LogM, Admin)
• HP capacity building and supervision
• Responsible for the development plan for the HP team, based on the needs assessment (evaluation), as well for the follow up in capacity building through training, coaching, community of practice events.
• Managing and supervision of the quality of the HPCE activities done by the HPCE team at field level (based on a supervision checklist). (eg. Participatory methods and pedagogical techniques, active listening, use of tools, preparation /organisation)
• Responsible of the recruitment and evaluation process for HP profiles (in collaboration with HR department).

MSF Section/Context-Specific Accountabilities 

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Define, update, and execute the Health Promotion (HP) and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategy
• Assess community health-seeking behaviors in the Afar region to map and analyze local context dynamics
• Strengthening community activities by facilitating robust engagement with local leaders across MSF-supported areas, including Logia, Dubti, Magenta, Harsis, Shekotya, Areyolaf, Semera, and Aredo and other future support facilities.
• Conduct targeted workshops with traditional healers and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to foster collaborative relationships.
• Develop and streamline community-based patient referral pathways through continuous awareness and sensitization with kebele leaders, village leaders’ traditional healers, and TBAs etc.
• Implement effective retention strategies to minimize patient default and absentee rates across all Ambulatory Therapeutic Feeding Centers (ATFCs).
• Support the planning and coordination of quarterly blood donation campaigns in collaboration with the blood bank
• Supervise the IEC/HP team and oversee all operational activities within the Therapeutic Feeding Centers (TFCs) and broader community.
• Train, mentor, and supervise Lay counselor Educators (LCEs) and community volunteers to bridge skills gaps.
• Conduct operational assessments, including patient satisfaction and treatment understanding surveys, to improve service quality
• Participate actively in field assessments, surveys, qualitative evaluations, and operational research initiatives.
• Develop and adapt IEC materials to meet evolving project needs, ensuring all content is culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate.
• Design, refine, and adapt IEC materials to guarantee all health messaging is aligned with local customs, highly effective, and fully accepted by the community.
• Conduct practical cooking and food demonstration workshops utilizing locally available ingredients to promote sustainable nutritional practices.
• Lead the development, implementation, monitoring, and regular adaptation of the project’s Health Promotion strategy, ensuring alignment with identified community health needs, medical priorities, and the project’s transition objectives.
• Lead the implementation of the Health Promotion integration plan with Dubti General Hospital, including the progressive transfer of HP approaches, tools, systems, and responsibilities to the designated DGH counterpart.
• Strengthening the capacity of the DGH Health Promotion counterpart, Community Health Extension Workers, and community volunteers supporting the ATFCs through structured training, coaching, supportive supervision, and regular performance follow
• Collaborate with the outreach team to analyze key challenges affecting ATFC performance indicators and jointly develop, implement, and monitor practical corrective actions.
• Establish mechanisms for systematically collecting, documenting, and analyzing feedback from patients, caregivers, and communities regarding access, quality, acceptability, and barriers to care.
• Regularly share key community feedback, emerging concerns, and recommended actions with the line manager and operations team to inform decisions and service adaptations.

Education :

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, social communication, behavioral sciences, Health Education, Anthropology, public health, health promotion and community health.
• Desirable: A master’s degree (MPH, Health Promotion, Epidemiology, Social and Behavior Change Communication).

Experience :

• Essential: A minimum of 1 year as a programme manager in a health promotion/ education, prevention or community mobilization programme. Or
• Essential: 2 years as supervisor within a health promotion/ education, prevention or community mobilization programme
• Essential: Experience in using qualitative methodology.
• Essential: Experience in strategy design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Desirable: Experience with social media management and communications.
• Desirable: Working experience in MSF or other NGOs

Other Requirements:  

• Essential: Excellent written and spoken English skills: Fluency and Knowledge of additional local languages would be an asset.
• Essential: High level of Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Internet).

Competencies : 

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles. L2
• Behavioral Flexibility L3
• Results and Quality Orientation L3
• Teamwork and Cooperation L3
• People management & development L2