Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Consultant

The Carter Center is a not-for-profit international NGO committed to waging peace, fighting disease and building hope worldwide. The Carter Center – Ethiopia (TCC-E), which assists the Government of Ethiopia in Disease Elimination and Eradication Programs, is looking for a qualified consultant to fill the following vacancy for its Guinea Worm Eradication Program:

Vacancy Number: VA_015_FY26

Required Number: 1 (One)

Duty Station: Gambella, Ethiopia

Terms of Employment: Six months of consultancy work.

PURPOSE

The Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) consultant will collaborate to enhance/update and/or develop a social and behavior change strategy and appropriate IEC (information, education, and communication) materials and training guides for the national Guinea worm eradication program in Ethiopia. This project is anticipated to start as soon as possible and will be based in the Gambella Region (GW-endemic woredas), with travel to Addis Ababa as needed. The development and endorsement of the updated strategy will be completed in consultation/collaboration with The Carter Center- Ethiopia (TCC-E) and relevant partners. The consultant reports directly to the Senior Country Representative and the Associate Director – Guinea Worm Eradication Program, and works closely with the SBCC Officer and the Program Manager.

BACKGROUND

Since 1986, The Carter Center has led the international campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease (GWD), working closely with ministries of health and local communities, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and many other partners. At the time, approximately 3.5 million people had contracted GWD in 21 countries. As a result of focused work and collaboration by partners, the incidence of GWD has been reduced by more than 99.99 percent to only 15 human cases and 664 animal infections worldwide in 2024. Guinea Worm Eradication Program at The Carter Center.

Ethiopia has made substantial gains in the fight against GWD. Currently, Ethiopia counts with only two endemic woredas (districts)- Abobo and Gog in the Gambella region of Ethiopia. The definitive hosts for GW in Ethiopia have included: humans, domesticated dogs and cats, and olive baboons.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORK TO BE PERFORMED

1. Conduct a rapid desk review of existing SBCC strategies, and materials. This would include, as a priority, the existing strategy currently implemented in Ethiopia, as well as the endemic countries of: South Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, and Mali.
2. Conduct formative research to inform the social and behavior change communication strategy, including but not limited to barrier analysis, identification of existing messaging materials, identifying priority and influencing groups, etc.
3. Develop and present the draft updated national SBCC strategy for GW eradication in consultation with appropriate colleagues and partners.
4. Building the capacity of key personnel on strategic SBCC approaches to prevent GWD transmission in endemic districts, while facilitating the rollout of these initiatives and establishing a robust monitoring system.
5. Produce:
6. an advocacy strategy to sensitize national, regional, and operational woreda/communal level policy- and decision-makers, key influencers towards building/ reinforcing an enabling environment for GW disease eradication.
7. a communication strategy for various target groups: populations at risk (person’s working in gold mining areas and commercial farms, hunters, refugee communities, etc.) inclusive of the domesticated and wild-life dynamic, encourage adoption of appropriate prevention, reporting, and containment interventions.
8. materials for different target audiences, most importantly communities at risk for Guinea worm disease- flipcharts, posters, information cards/IDs, recorded messages/songs, TV/ radio spots, illustrative leaflets, posters, and other materials, etc.
9. Implementation plans for national and sub-national levels. This will include annual activities related to advocacy, communication, etc.
10. In coordination with the GW team facilitate a meeting for presenting the revised draft of the national SBCC strategy.
11. In direct coordination with the GW team finalize/endorse the updated SBCC strategy with appropriate stakeholders/partners.
12. Work in coordination with the Data/M&E team to put in place effective monitoring and evaluation indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of SBCC strategies in behavior change.
13. Develop training guides and tools for the roll-out of the SBCC strategy.
14. Support capacity building and skills transfer to the existing GWEP team- especially SBCC Officers.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Advanced degree, Master or doctorate degree in Public Health, Health Communications, Psychology, Behavior/Social Change, or other relevant fields;
2. A minimum of 5-10 years’ experience in health policy, strategy and/or managing community level SBC programs
3. The consultant must also possess substantial experience (minimum 3-5 years) in the implementation/management of behavioral change communication strategies
4. Demonstrated experience in successful management of large, community-based projects and in management of large inter-disciplinary teams.
5. Experience working in NTDs;
6. Proven experience in leading consultative processes; ability to conduct/facilitate sessions related to the development of consultation meetings.
7. English: Professional Fluent (Speaking & Writing); Ability to work at a professional level in Amharic and/or an additional language of the endemic/at-risk communities is an asset.
8. Excellent written communication skills required, with a demonstrated ability to write reports in a clear, concise manner.