About US:
Marie Stopes International (MSI) is an international non-profit organisation providing personalised contraception and safe post-abortion care services to women and girls. Our local teams of professionals are passionate about the work they do in communities across 37 countries. The services we provide give a woman the power to choose when she has children so that she is free pursue her plans and dreams for herself and her family.
About USAID LTM Programme:
Established in 2008, Marie Stopes International Uganda (MSI Uganda) is an international branch office of MSI. In 2015, MSI Uganda assumed leadership of the USAID Long Term Methods (LTM) Programme. The LTM Programme expands affordable services and choice of the full range of contraceptive choice to rural and underserved communities through a dynamic mix of mobile clinical outreach, social franchising and community based distribution. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, this programme supports the long term capacity of public and private sector providers to deliver high quality FP counselling and services.
Job Summary: The Interpersonal Communications(IPC) Coordinator will provide coordination, quality assurance and mentoring of community based distributors (CBDs), community health workers (CHWs) and Village Health Teams (VHTs) who support the LTM Programme. The incumbent will ensure effective delivery of evidence based communication strategies through these community change agents will result in increased awareness and informed demand for FP services delivered by outreach, BlueStar and trained public sector providers. As a Interpersonal Communications (IPC) Coordinator, you will use your excellent skills as a communicator and a mentor to ensure that IPC activities implemented in your assigned geographic area: 1) effectively engage communities and individuals to discuss and address social barriers to family planning uptake; 2) directly address myths and misconceptions about family planning; 3) ensure women and men who want more information regarding family planning know where they can go for comprehensive counseling and services; and 4) vouchers for FP are distributed to those in need.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Effective coordination of IPC activities in designated geographic areas that increases referrals for comprehensive FP counselling for outreach and BlueStar
In charge of the development of effective strategy to ensure IPC activities and messages are tailored to the specific needs of supported communities
Ensure that IPC activities coincide with and support demand creation for outreach events
Promote BlueStar providers in their community catchment areas
Effective mapping and tracking of all IPC agents (CBDs, CHWs and VHTs) to ensure effective deployment and quality of messaging
Recommend locations, including new sites, for outreach to increase convenience and access for women, men and youth with unmet need and unmet demand for FP
Training of IPC agents in correct FP messaging (in accordance with MSI and USAID guidelines)
Effective management of voucher short term methods (STM) distribution
Work closely with the Head of Communications and Social Franchise Coordinator for your region, develop a clear and effective strategy for voucher distribution that increases voucher redemption
Appropriate and correct tracking of voucher distribution and STM sales in community
Appropriate use of the poverty grading tool
Accurate reconciliation of short term methods stock sold through CBDs and CHWs
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate must hold a relevant degree or equivalent experience in communications at the community level
A minimum of three years’ experience in a similar position and working with the community
Ability to communicate to people of different backgrounds about SRH issues
Previous experience training diverse teams in communication messages
Highly organised and detail oriented
Proven experience coordinating activities that involve multiple people in or from multiple locations
Proven experience working at the community level
Experience in community organising an advantage
Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
More than one Ugandan language desirable
Knowledge of behaviour change communication methodologies and effective gender and youth approaches
Personal Competencies:
Initiative: Thinking ahead and taking action to make the most of opportunities by finding the optimum solution
Innovative: Thinking creatively and outside of the box so that ideas generated create a positive outcome
Effective Communication: Communicating through active listening and good questioning techniques, using appropriate body language, ensuring information is clear and concise.
Responsive: Being responsive to changing priorities and demands
Working Efficiently: Planning, prioritising and organising work to ensure work is accurate and deadlines are met
Sharing Information: Sharing information and knowledge whilst maintaining confidentiality
Focus on Learning: Taking responsibility for keeping knowledge and skills updated and for seeking opportunities to develop further
Commitment: Awareness and understanding of goals, vision and values and how your role impacts on this and going the extra mile to meet role requirements
Driven: Drive and determination to deliver results
Accountable: Taking responsibility for appropriate decisions that you make, and the actions and behaviour you demonstrate
Embracing Change: Openness to embracing change within the organisation and being able to adjust plans/activities accordingly
Motivated: Motivation towards achieving quality results to maximise potential
Team Player: Working as part of a team by being supportive, flexible and showing respect for each other
The Interpersonal Communication Coordinator is required to demonstrate MSI Uganda’s core values of:
Accountability of all staff to each other and our clients and stakeholders
Equality of opportunity and access
Value for money in the management of our resources
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to send their electronic applications including a cover letter, updated CV and academic documents via E-mail to: vacancies@msiu.or.ug
Deadline: 30th September, 2016 by 12:00 Noon