Community Communication Officer (CCO) - Sindh

The primary responsibility is to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders. Main goal is to build alliances that advance the organization's advocacy agenda and contribute to the achievement of its overall goals and objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies and plans in collaboration with team members to achieve and sustain the organization’s goals and objectives
• Identify line lists and strategically engage key stakeholders and community influencers such as religious and tribal leaders, media practitioners, teachers, youth and women leaders and groups to promote and sustain advocacy support and active community participation for polio eradication and the broader immunization agenda.
• Establish and maintain relationships with government officials and line departments such as Health, Education, WASH, Child Protection, Sports, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure their continued support for polio eradication and health and immunization strengthening.
• Conduct regular research and analysis on PEI data related to SBCC and apply findings to improve and sustain the quality of SBCC interventions at different levels within the district.
• Organize, facilitate, and participate in advocacy events such as public hearings, roundtable discussions, and other stakeholder and community engagement forums to promote the PEI and EPI agenda.
• Collaborate with other team members at DEOC to develop and implement SBCC strategies toward achieving PEI and EPI strengthening.
• Share updates with the District Health team on SBCC interventions and ensure contributions of SBCC within the broader PEI and EPI are well documented and reported.
• Facilitate and support pre-campaign training of FLWs focusing on IPC skills and ensure timely distribution of communication and IEC materials.
• Identify and report any SBCC-related challenges at district-level coordination meetings and suggest and implement impactful solutions.
• Support the district/DEOC in the development and implementation of a district-level crisis communication plan.
• Support the district in aversion or resolution of boycotts (if any) using the guidance outlined in the boycott framework.
• Support the district in addressing fake finger-marking cases using the guidance of the FFM framework.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the direct supervisor, second-line supervisor, Team Lead/SBC Specialist, SBC Officer, and National and/or Provincial EOC.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree preferably in communications social/behavioural sciences, or public health/medicine with a minimum of 6 years’ work experience with a focus on community engagement, community mobilization and alliance building.
• Experience working with communities, preferably in a public health context, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain community trust.
• Knowledge of local languages and customs, as well as the cultural and political dynamics that impact immunization programs, is an advantage.

SKILLS

• Relationship-building: The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Communication: The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to adapt communication style to different audiences and contexts.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to think strategically and develop advocacy strategies and plans that align with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Analytical skills: The ability to conduct research and analysis on key policy issues and to use data to inform advocacy strategies and tactics.
• Negotiation: The ability to negotiate effectively with stakeholders to achieve the organization's advocacy objectives.
• Collaboration: The ability to work collaboratively with other team members and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Leadership: The ability to lead advocacy efforts and to motivate and inspire others to support the organization's advocacy agenda.
• Cultural awareness: The ability to work effectively across cultural boundaries and to understand and appreciate the perspectives and values of different cultures.
• Digital literacy: The ability to use digital tools and platforms to support advocacy efforts, such as social media, email marketing, and online advocacy campaigns.

KPIs

• Increased in immunization coverage (Polio during SIAs and Routine EPI) in the district linked to effective community engagement, advocacy, Influencer capacity building, and alliance building.
• Successful completion of planned community engagement activities, influencer capacity building sessions, and other activities that effectively promote immunization and community participation
• Positive feedback from community members and stakeholders regarding communication and engagement activities that prioritize community trust and participation.
• Number of planned vs conducted monitoring and supportive supervision visits for SBC team
• Timeliness, completeness and quality of plans and reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) and other mission/field visits reports and sharing with concerned including DEOC.

Note: This position is based in District Umerkot, Please mention your preferred district for job location in your CV while applying for job. Candidates from the respective district are encouraged to apply.

DISCLAIMER:

• MicroMerger reserves the right to reject any or all applications or change the number of positions at any stage without assigning any reason or as per requirements.
• Any Candidate/Applicant who attempts to or influences the recruitment process or the Selection Panel by any means shall be disqualified immediately.
• MicroMerger will not consider applicants not fulfilling the requirements/criteria mentioned above.
• Incomplete applications will not be entertained.
• MicroMerger reserves the right to cancel the whole hiring process at any stage without mentioning any reason.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for tests and/or interviews via call or email.
• MicroMerger provides equal opportunity to all qualified candidates. Females are encouraged to apply.
• Recruitment will be made on a contract basis, extendable based on rising needs.
• By applying to this position, you agree to the use of your CV for MicroMerger\'s internal Application Tracking System.
• Shortlisted candidates will have to bring their CVs, attested copies of CNIC, certificates, experience certificates, and educational qualifications at the time of the interview.
• No TA/DA or any expense would be admissible during the whole hiring process including interviews, tests, etc.
• There will be no provision of official laptop or any other such device, the individual selected has to utilize their own machine.
• MicroMerger has zero tolerance for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and all forms of misconduct. All selected candidates will be subject to safeguarding screening, reference checks, and required to sign the organization’s Code of Conduct and PSEA commitments. Any false declaration or failure to disclose previous misconduct may result in disqualification or termination.