Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Position Purpose

Pact seeks an experienced Senior Technical Advisor – Social and Behavior Change (STA-SBC) for the USAID/Zambia Integrated Health Activity (ZIHA). USAID/Zambia intends to award a $120M contract to support the USAID and PEPFAR objectives of 95/95/95. ZIHA will improve health outcomes of Zambians through equitable access to high-quality, client-centered HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and FP/RH services, products, and information, and strengthen integration of these services at the health facility and community levels when applicable. The STA-SBC will provide technical leadership and manage implementation of strategic social and behavior change interventions at community, provider, household, and individual levels to increase uptake and adherence to integrated HIV, TB, MNCH and FP services and health seeking-behaviors. The STA-SBC will lead strategies to promote personal agency and community engagement around health interventions and sustain demand for services. ZIHA is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award and is anticipated to be based in Lusaka.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and support in engaging priority populations and community stakeholders in designing, planning, and tailoring SBC interventions that address drivers and barriers to adoption of healthy behaviors.
• Lead project strategies to routinely collaborate and engage with communities to implement SBC activities that address social and cultural barriers to use of health services and adoption of healthy behaviors.
• Identify and develop program guidance for the implementation of innovative and low-cost SBC models and solutions that aim to increase personal agency and improve care-seeking behaviors.
• Coordinate targeted capacity building to improve client-provider interactions at the point of service delivery through high-quality training, mentoring, and technical assistance.
• Lead the integration of appropriate, evidence-based mental health support services, as part of ensuring comprehensive client-centered HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH and FP services.
• Provide input into the SBC components of project workplans, reports, and budget, and participate in project level processes to ensure integration with other project components.
• Monitor the implementation of SBC activities, ensuring that SBC objectives, targets, and deliverables are achieved on time and on budget.
• Liaise with USAID and key stakeholders, including MOH, civil society, private sector, and other USAID projects, on SBC issues relevant to the project.
• Participate in technical working groups addressing SBC issues linked to the project.

Basic Requirements

• Graduate degree from an accredited university in health promotion, community health, public health communications, social sciences, or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a senior leadership role in the health sector, with emphasis on leading SBC strategies and implementation for HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and/or FP.
• Demonstrated competencies in designing and implementing SBC activities and community engagement processes for demand generation and uptake of HIV, TB, MCNH, and/or FP services in large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs, preferably with USAID and PEPFAR-funded programs.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of Zambia’s SBC/community health structures and programming, as well as socio-cultural environment influencing drivers and barriers to service uptake and care seeking.
• Experience leading technical teams, achieving deliverables, and working under USAID contracts preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Strong professional written and oral communications skills in English.
• Ability to travel within Zambia and occasionally internationally, when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 diminish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Zambia.
• Zambian nationals are encouraged to apply.