PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.
In the last several years, remarkable progress has been made in fighting Malaria worldwide. In November 2006, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a grant to support the expansion of the fight against malaria in Africa. Advancements in prevention and treatment have resulted in marked reductions in illness and death. Eliminating malaria is achievable using existing tools and a focused strategy, and the Malaria Control and Elimination Partnership in Africa (MACEPA III), a program at PATH, is working with its national partners to chart the way forward through the development of an evidence-based framework to guide countries through a comprehensive set of program interventions to elimination.
The Community Engagement Officer will be based in Lusaka and will be a technical resource in spearheading of Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) and community engagement (CE) efforts in support of Zambia’s malaria elimination agenda. The position will be responsible for supporting the National Malaria Elimination Program, Ministry of Health, and Provincial and District Health teams, with capacity building, materials development and providing oversight on communication and community related activities. The Officer will also provide content to the NMEP website and other platforms, and document lessons learned and best practices.
Responsibilities:
- Support NMEP in strategy development and implementation of Community Engagement and SBCC activities, including the planning of key events such as WMD and SADC annual commemorations
- Prepare communication team work plan and budgets, and coordinate with administrative team on procurement and vendor relations as needed
- Support Provincial and District health teams to implement CE activities—orientation for community leaders, village meetings, school engagement—aligned with country’s malaria elimination agenda
- Lead and participate in the adaptation and development of print and electronic communication materials
- Participate in research activities including qualitative studies to understand attitudes and practices towards malaria at the community level
- Support media coverage of key malaria interventions, including liaising with community radio stations to ensure content is broadcast
- Conduct periodic monitoring of communication and community related activities
- Represent MACEPA at meetings as assigned
- Document the work of MACEPA Zambia, capturing for a variety of audiences (GRZ, donor reports, social media, etc.), and provide content for the NMEC/MACEPA website and newsletter
Required Skills
- Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (communications, public health, development studies, global health, social sciences) or equivalent experience
- At least five (5) years in a similar position, preferably with an NGO
- Excellent writing and presentation skills, including proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.)
- Experience with data collection, management and presentation preferred
- Strong community engagement and mobilization skills
- A history of annual and quarterly project planning and budgeting
- Experience interacting with health service delivery professionals at all levels
- Experience in developing and pre-testing communication materials
- Highly organized; able to adapt and work on a team with minimum supervision
- Experience with social media, graphic design and video editing a plus
- Must have legal authorization to work in Zambia.
PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.
PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
More Information
- Job City Lusaka
