Community Communication Officer

The primary responsibility is to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders. The main goal is to build alliances that advance the organization's advocacy agenda and contribute to the achievement of its overall goals and objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement advocacy strategies and plans in collaboration with team members to achieve and sustain the organization’s goals and objectives.

Identify and strategically engage key stakeholders and community influencers such as religious and tribal leaders, media practitioners, teachers, youth, and women leaders to promote and sustain advocacy support and active community participation for polio eradication and the broader immunization agenda.

Establish and maintain relationships with government officials and line departments such as Health, Education, WASH, Child Protection, Sports, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure their continued support for polio eradication and health and immunization strengthening.

Conduct regular research and analysis on PEI data related to SBCC and apply findings to improve and sustain the quality of SBCC interventions at different levels within the district.

Organize, facilitate, and participate in advocacy events such as public hearings, roundtable discussions, and other stakeholder and community engagement forums to promote the PEI and EPI agenda.

Collaborate with other team members at DEOC to develop and implement SBCC strategies toward achieving PEI and EPI strengthening.

Share updates with the District Health team on SBCC interventions and ensure contributions of SBCC within the broader PEI and EPI are well documented and reported.

Facilitate and support pre-campaign training of FLWs focusing on IPC skills and ensure timely distribution of communication and IEC materials.

Identify and report any SBCC-related challenges at district-level coordination meetings and suggest and implement impactful solutions.

Support the district/DEOC in the development and implementation of a district-level crisis communication plan.

Support the district in the aversion or resolution of boycotts (if any) using the guidance outlined in the boycott framework.

Support the district in addressing fake finger-marking cases using the guidance of the FFM framework.

Perform any other tasks assigned by the direct supervisor, second-line supervisor, Team Lead/SBC Specialist, SBC Officer, and National and/or Provincial EOC.

REQUIREMENTS:

Graduate preferably in communications, social/behavioral sciences, or public health/medicine with a minimum of 6 years’ work experience focusing on community engagement, community mobilization, and alliance building.

Experience working with communities, preferably in a public health context, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain community trust.

Knowledge of local languages and customs, as well as the cultural and political dynamics that impact immunization programs, is an advantage.

SKILLS:

Relationship-building: The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.

Communication: The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to adapt communication style to different audiences and contexts.

Strategic thinking: The ability to think strategically and develop advocacy strategies and plans that align with the organization's goals and objectives.

Analytical skills: The ability to conduct research and analysis on key policy issues and to use data to inform advocacy strategies and tactics.

Negotiation: The ability to negotiate effectively with stakeholders to achieve the organization's advocacy objectives.

Collaboration: The ability to work collaboratively with other team members and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and objectives.

Leadership: The ability to lead advocacy efforts and to motivate and inspire others to support the organization's advocacy agenda.

Cultural awareness: The ability to work effectively across cultural boundaries and to understand and appreciate the perspectives and values of different cultures.

Digital literacy: The ability to use digital tools and platforms to support advocacy efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and online advocacy campaigns.

KPIs:

Increased immunization coverage (Polio during SIAs and Routine EPI) in the district linked to effective community engagement, advocacy, influencer capacity building, and alliance building.

Successful completion of planned community engagement activities, influencer capacity building sessions, and other activities that effectively promote immunization and community participation.

Positive feedback from community members and stakeholders regarding communication and engagement activities that prioritize community trust and participation.

Number of planned vs conducted monitoring and supportive supervision visits for the SBC team.

Timeliness, completeness, and quality of plans and reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) and other mission/field visits reports and sharing with concerned including DEOC.