Institutional Strengthening Technical Advisor
 Academy for Educational Development
 Location: Lucknow
 Last Date: April 29, 2011
 Email: indiaaedbcc@gmail.com (Reference: DevNetJobsIndia.org)

Position : Institutional Strengthening Technical Advisor
Organization : Academy for Educational Development
Project : Behavior Change Communication for Improving Healthy Behaviors Program in India
Supervisor : Technical Director
Location : Lucknow

Project Summary
The AED Center for Global Health Communication and Marketing (CGHCM) works to bring about positive changes in the actions of individuals, communities, and institutions that will improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations around the world. Through bilateral funding from USAID/India, AED’s India BCC-IHBP Task Order will focus on institutional strengthening for health communication at the national level and also in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The project will use evidence based approaches to design BCC strategies for program elements, i.e., HIV/AIDS, TB, MCH and FP/RH that reach to the community level and focus on individual and social change. Through advocacy and other community interventions, vulnerable communities will be empowered to address many health issues such as stigma, gender and rights.

Position Summary
The India BCC-IHBP IS Technical Advisor will lead initiatives in the State of Uttar Pradesh for strengthening public, for-profit and not-for-profit institution’s capacity on an ongoing basis, for improved Behavior Change Communication. In doing so, the IS Technical Advisor will bring state-of-the-art Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy approaches and experience through Technical Assistance (TA) and training to achieve project’s four key results; work with Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisors in Lucknow and IS team in Delhi to coordinate program design, implementation, and monitoring; supervise the IS Specialists and Advocacy Specialist in Lucknow and IS Consultants in project districts

Essential Job Functions
Specific responsibilities include but will not be limited to:
• Leading and mentoring the state level Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy team to –
o Design and implementation of effective IS and Advocacy strategies and plans for state and district levels consistent with the Project Award Monitoring Plan (AMP)
o Oversee preparation of IS component of annual and quarterly work plan and budget and IS specific deliverables at state levels
o Identification of training institutions and nodal organizations at state level and facilitating finalization and implementation of MOUs
o Design and implement SBCC-specific effective capacity building activities, with input from SBCC and M&E teams
o Guiding advocacy activities to gain Government acceptance and commitments of BCC
o Encourage use evidence generated from the project districts to advocate for improved guidelines for state/district planning & VHND
o Reviewing progress of activities regarding ISA for IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4 and provide timely feedback, if necessary
o Ensure quality documentation of institutional strengthening and advocacy processes, learnings and achievements in the project
o Compliance with USAID and AED policies and procedures
• Participating in and facilitating activities such as –
o Capacity building of the state and district project teams in IS
o Preparation of IS component of the project’s annual work plans (AWPs)
o Review of grants proposals for IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4 for implementation of ISA activities
o Identification of short-term technical assistance needs and guide the identification of consultants and research houses that can contribute to the ISA work plan and results
o Preparing quarterly and annual reports as required detailing the performance of the IS program, including reports as required by AED/HQ and others as directed by COP and/or DCOP
o Strengthening of networks & alliances and exploring possibility of establishing a BCC alliance at state level
o Advocacy at state level for addressing stigma and gender related issues in school/college curriculums, and provide support to the district team for the same
• Leading technical assistance to state Government and state level nodal organizations in –
o planning, designing and implementing IS and capacity building strategies through a mentoring, learning by doing approach
o Providing oversight to all training processes and activities with government departments and staff to ensure quality results at state and district levels
• Providing regular periodic updates to the IS Chief Technical Advisor in Delhi on progress of ISA activities in the state and receiving support as required
• Supervise and mentor IS Specialists (PCI and AED), Advocacy Specialist (AED) and consultants for Institutional Strengthening in Lucknow
• Represent the project, as directed by the Technical Director and/or Project Director, in any working group, committee, or task force addressing Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy
• Perform other duties as determined by the Technical Director and/or Project Director

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will hold the following qualifications:

Essential
• Masters in Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Communication, Social Sciences and/or equivalent degree from a reputed university/ institute.
• Ten years of relevant working experience in at least two of the following areas –
o Planning and implementing organization systems strengthening (human resources, supplies, management processes, monitoring, supportive supervision, etc.) initiatives
o Strengthening technical and program capacity of institutions (large NGOs, technical agencies/ institutes, etc.)
o Building capacity of health workers (incl. training plans, materials, etc.) and training quality assurance.
o Advocacy with public and private sector in one or more health areas including FP/RH, HIV/AIDS, TB, and MCH
• Additional experience in –
o Working with Government departments (Health and Family Welfare, SACS and/or ICDS), preferably in Uttar Pradesh or other EAG states
o Providing technical assistance to NHSRC, NIHFW, NIPCCD and/ or their counterparts in the EAG states, preferably in planning and implementing health systems strengthening initiatives
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills in English and in Hindi, including writing skills in English
• Leadership and supportive supervision skills; preferably with experience in leading multi-level teams
• Consultative and collaborative approach; ability to work with diverse groups and in a challenging environment.
• Experience and a high degree of competency using Windows-based computer programs
• Willingness to travel within and outside the country as per project needs.

Desirable
• Experience of working with USAID funded projects
• Writing skills in Hindi
• Knowledge and experience of using various advocacy channels
• Membership of networks/alliances at Global/National/State levels
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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

AED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates who applied earlier for this position are encouraged not to apply again.

To apply, please write to indiaaedbcc@gmail.com and mention the position you are applying for. The last date for application is 29 April 2011. (Only shortlisted candidates will be notified).