Social Behavior Change and Communications Officer

ABOUT MERCY CORPS:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has worked in Jordan since 2003 to implement a variety of programs funded by global public institutions, as well as private donors to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, build cohesive and civically engaged communities, and increase inclusive economic opportunities. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three domains: resilient individuals, strong communities and governance, and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Mercy Corps integrates crosscutting themes of youth, gender equality and empowerment, governance, natural resource management and technology.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Promoting the Voice and Leadership of Women Activity (PVLW) is a five-year activity that will create transformational changes in gender relations at the family, community and national levels to enhance gender equality and advance women’s leadership in Jordan. This will be achieved through: 1) strengthening the enabling environment and institutional capacity and addressing structural barriers for women to fully exercise their rights, express their agency and freely lead and participate in society without restrictions; 2) partnering with local stakeholders to counter prevailing prohibitive social norms that perpetuate gender inequality, undermine women’s agency to exercise their rights, and prevent transformative change in gender relations; and 3) advancing the inclusive and transparent leadership and decision-making participation of girls and women.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Social Behavior Change and Communications (SBC) Officer will support the Social Behavior Change and Communications Coordinator in integrating SBC techniques throughout PVLW. The SBC Officer will support the coordination of formative research and identifying evidence-based strategies to reduce social and behavioral factors that contribute to gender inequalities, including gender-based violence and norms that perpetuate inequalities in the workplace, in households, and at the community and national levels in formal and non-formal institutions, and in online environments. The SBC Officer will support the development of high-quality and contextually appropriate SBC strategies, activities, and interventions, and the implementation of these across all the program objectives. This work will focus on social and behavior change communications (SBCC) activities to engage various audiences across Jordan. They will monitor the progress of SBCC activities and support communications related to activities and learning.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Support the SBC Team in the design of formative research to better understand current norms and behaviors related to gender dynamics in Jordan. This may include knowledge, attitudes, and practices assessments, barrier analyses, social media scans, and other studies.
• Based on research and assessments, support the SBCC strategy development, including community engagement, social mobilization, and communications campaigns.
• Coordinate the development of evidence-based and contextually appropriate SBCC strategies that promote gender equality and the advancement of women’s leadership and draw on proven approaches and results of studies, baseline data, and formative research.
• Provide inputs into the design of SBC learning and monitoring activities, including SBCC indicators and evaluation designs.
• Document successes and lessons learned; prepare reports, presentations, short articles for publication to disseminate learning.
• Participate in regular monitoring of campaigns and SBC activities.
• Assist with general program operations and field-based activities

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PARTNERSHIP AND CAPACITY STRENGTHENING

• Provide inputs into the capacity strengthening plans and strategies for participants, stakeholders, staff, and partners to advance knowledge and skills in SBC.

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INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Document and share learnings and best practices from this program to be shared both internally and externally.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

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Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: SBC Coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Senior SBC Lead, Capacity Building Officer, Gender & Inclusion Coordinator, PVLW technical leads, PVLW consortium partners, Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit, Mercy Corps Jordan Program Performance and Quality Director

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, media, marketing, journalism, public relations, women’s studies or a related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, at least three additional years of experience in the areas of women’s studies and/or communications, media, or marketing.
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience supporting activities relevant to strategic communications and SBC.
• Demonstrated understanding of SBC approaches that address change in social norms, structures, and individual behaviors, especially those related to gender dynamics and women’s empowerment in Jordan or the Middle East. Experience with Human-Centered Design (HCD) and behavioral science methodologies and principles preferred.
• Understanding and knowledge of USAID regulations and program administration, management, and reporting procedures and systems is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

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SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to coordinate and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about changing norms that lead to greater opportunities for women’s engagement and leadership at household, community and institutional levels. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

MERCY CORPS DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.

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