Community Outreach Manager at Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA)

MISSION ET OBJECTIVES

The community outreach Manager will be responsible for the community sensitization INTEGRATE study organisation and implementation at the two sites in Nigeria: Owo (Ondo State) and Irrua (Edo State). She/He will be in charge of the design of the strategy, the organisation and implementation of all activities related to community sensitization. She/He will work under the supervision of the ALIMA Project Coordinator and the International clinical trial manager from the team CORAL MIE.

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3: The incumbent is responsible for the application of HR processes and may be required to conduct field visits. He/She may therefore be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or the presentation of a certificate of good conduct will be required. In situations where the impossibility of providing a criminal record or a certificate of good conduct is established, a declaration on honor will be requested.

Scope of responsibilities:

She/He will be involved in the design and implementation of a community sensitization strategy, to act as a link between the clinical team and the community, in the implementation of the clinical trial. She/He will participate in training sessions on the strategy and the implementation of sensitization activities.

She/He will ensure that good practices are followed, the activities calendar is respected and that the quality of the activities is maintained.

TASKS & RESPONSABILITIES

Responsibility

Design the community sensitization strategy:

• In collaboration with the sensitization working group, composed of the ALIMA Project Coordinator, the Clinical Trial Manager and scientific from both Sites (FMCO and ISTH), provide a framework and a final version for the design of the strategy considering features of each site (languages, culture…)
• In collaboration with the social sciences research team, consider the results of the formative study to adapt this strategy. In this task, he/she will have to participate to meetings with the social sciences research team.
• In collaboration with the social sciences research team, contribute to the deepening of the understanding of the context, culture and populations’ needs
•  

Responsibility

Supervise the management of the community sensitization team:

• Supervises a team of community advisors at the two sites
• Ensures that community counsellors adhere to good social science research practices, ethics rules and respect the community members.
• Organize the training of the community counsellors’ team before implementation of activities
• Demonstrates respect for the local culture and responds to the project’s objectives and priorities as well as the community’s critical needs

Responsibility

• Organize and supervise the development and implementation of the community sensitization activities
• Design a calendar and retro planning of all community outreach activities 
• Consider all key stakeholders (communities, patients/caretakers, staff, MoH, other actors)
• Supervise the identification and welcoming of community members and leaders to be reached, as well as the organisation of the visits in the communities, in close collaboration with ALIMA PC and the local actors (State DSNO, State Public Health Director…)
• Verify with the PC that activities are planned in the INTEGRATE budget
• Collaborate with logistic teams to ensure optimum engagement with communities around logistical activities in the community and in Alima supported facilities
• Supervise the implementation of the strategy in the field with the team of community counsellors, find translator if needed
• Produce a report to the clinical trial manager of each activity that took place on the field among community members
• Ensure timely analysis and communication to the coordination team (Alima coordination and CORAL) which may lead to an adaptation of strategy/improvement of services.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Education:

• Degree in Public Health/Global Health and/or in Human and Social Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology), community counselling.
• Minimum Master level.

Experience:

• Experience in community outreach activities (mandatory).
• Experience in social sciences research would be an asset.
• Experience in implementing and evaluating interventions would be an asset.
• Experience in investigating epidemic diseases such as LF or Ebola would be an asset.

Qualities required:

• Good writing skills.
• Proficiency with office tools (Word).
• Ability to listen, interact with others, empathy are essential skills.
• Initiative and autonomy.
• Communication and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of Lassa disease and its impact on communities is appreciated.

Languages:

Ability to communicate in English and the main Nigerian languages spoken in the location of assignment (Owo and Irrua). Candidates from Ondo and Edo States are encouraged to apply.

Professional approach:

The community counsellor will:

• Report any difficulties encountered to their line manager.
• Respect the confidentiality of the study.
• Follow the supervision and instructions of the study coordinators.

CONDITIONS

Contract term: contract under Nigerian law, 6 months renewable. Level 9.