Vacancy at Malaria Consortium
Social and Behavioral Change Communication Consultant - Sokoto at Malaria Consortium
Summary
In Nigeria, twenty – one (21) states across the Sahel and non–Sahelian zone have seasonal malaria transmission, with most of the disease burden occurring during a distinct rainy season.
Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) is a key approach to prevent malaria among children aged 3 to 59 months in such areas where malaria transmission is highly seasonal.
- SMC involves the administration of monthly treatment courses of a combination of antimalarial drugs (over 4 or 5 monthly cycles depending on the duration of the malaria transmission season specific to a given geographical area) with the objective of maintaining therapeutic antimalarial drug concentrations in the blood throughout the period of transmission (rainy season) to prevent malaria.
- Since 2014, Malaria Consortium has been supporting Nigeria in SMC implementation and currently supports SMC with funding support from the Global Fund (GF) and the open philanthropy project fund (PF) due to GiveWell Foundation’s recommendation of Malaria Consortium as a top charity.
With GF funding, Malaria Consortium support SMC in four states - Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger and Yobe; and with PF support in ten states - Bauchi, Borno, FCT, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara.” SMC is implemented in five cycles in Bauchi, FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo and Plateau states and in four cycles in the other Malaria Consortium supported states.
- The SMC campaign will commence with microplanning in March, and the implementation is scheduled to be from May 2026 - November 2026.
- This term of reference (ToR) is however focused on the 2026 SMC delivery in Borno (27 LGAs), Nasarawa (13 LGAs), Oyo (6 LGAs) and Zamfara (14 LGAs) states
Rationale:
Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) is key to the effective implementation of SMC interventions as it is necessary for sensitization, knowledge improvement, acceptance of campaign and adherence to SMC medicines day 2 & 3.
- The SBCC Consultants are required to support states with planning and implementation of the SBCC component of the 2026 SMC implementation.
The SBCC Consultant will play a critical role during SMC campaigns focused on planning and adaptation of SBCC materials, planning for engagement activities, development of SBCC materials and tools, facilitation, capacity-building of SBCC related personnel, monitoring, and reporting on overall SBCC activities during the campaigns.
- The SBCC Consultant will work as part of the state MC SMC team and support a broadened state structure for the SMC campaigns.
- The overall goal in engaging the SBCC consultant is to ensure and foster desirable behavior at community and household level to enhance acceptance and uptake of SMC during the campaign and beyond.
- The engagement of the SBCC consultant will also ensure correct SMC related messaging during the 2026 SMC campaign specific to context, peculiarities, stage of implementation and SMC experience.
Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this consultancy is to support Malaria Consortium in the planning and implementation of the 2026 SMC campaign in all 4 PF-supported states by providing technical assistance and oversight on SMC activities to the State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) during the SMC campaigns.
- The Consultants would serve as a member of the state SMC SBCC team of their respective states and provide state-level technical assistance and oversight on demand creation-related activities for the successful coordination of the 2026 SMC campaigns. Working with the relevant state agencies (SMEP/PHCDA), the consultants will serve as SBCC focal points and support SMC key activities including adaptation of SBCC materials, planning for engagement activities, development of SBCC materials and tools, facilitation, capacity-building of SBCC related personnel, monitoring, and reporting on overall SBCC activities in the 4 PF-supported States. They would also work with the states on the best channels of delivery.
Required Consultant Qualification
Minimum of First Degree in the Social Sciences or related fields and at least 5 years post- graduation.
- Knowledge of malaria and its prevention, diagnosis and treatment is required.
- Previous training and field experience in SMC or similar campaigns (LLINs, Polio Immunization, etc.) campaigns.
- Experience and understanding of demand creation issues related to campaign distribution of SPAQ.
- Previous experience supporting the development of behavior change campaigns that delivered results.
How to Apply
Interested applicant can apply via this link
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