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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.

• 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

• 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