Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Assistant - Abt Associates

Abt. Associates Inc., a US-based company, is implementing USAID-funded President's Malaria Initiative VectorLink Project. The project is supporting the implementation of malaria control strategies such as insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) distribution and indoor residual spraying (IRS). In Ghana, Abt has been implementing IRS in the northern sector since 2011 and is preparing for the 2023 IRS campaign.

Job Description

Abt is currently seeking qualified individuals to fill a temporary position for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Assistant (29 positions) in the following sub-districts:

Successful candidates are REQUIRED to be based in the assigned sub-districts. No lodging support is provided. Qualified candidates residing in the selected sub-districts above will have an advantage. Successful candidates will be contracted for up to 5 months and report to the District Operations Coordinator and IEC Manager.

Please note, the project will not hire individuals under the government payroll or employed by any other organization.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Spearhead mobilization of all communities in assigned sub-district to increase IRS acceptance
• Lead implementation of communication strategies in assigned sub-district to ensure ALL community-level stakeholders ACCEPT IRS BEFORE the spray campaign.
• Liaise with community leadership, GHS officials, District Assembly staff and communication agencies for assistance with community mobilization and IRS sensitization efforts
• Coordinate closely daily IEC and mobilization activities with the Site Manager of assigned sub-district and District Operations Coordinator (DOC)
• Manage and work closely with identified community mobilizers to ensure all households in each community accept spray and are fully prepared at the start of the campaign
• Facilitate training, coordinate, and supervise activities of IEC Mobilizers and all other actors involved in mobilization within assigned sub-district during the implementation of IRS.
• Supervise and ensure proper documentation of mobilization work for payment
• Provide weekly reports on activities to the DOC and IEC Manager
• Perform other duties as assigned by the DOC and IEC Manager.

Required Skills or Experience

• Minimum of a Diploma in community development studies, communication, or relevant field with at least two (2) years relevant working experience.
• Additional training in participatory approaches and community mobilization is preferable.
• VERY GOOD knowledge and understanding of the geographical layout (especially of the chosen sub-district) is key to this position.
• Previous experience working with communities and their leadership, sensitizing and mobilizing communities is essential to this role.
• Strong organizational, reporting and management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team 
• Strong computer skills
• Proficiency in English and one or more of the northern Ghanaian languages (Mampruli, Dagbanli, Moar, Basare and Likpakpaln dialects) is required.
• Previous work on IRS activities will be an advantage.
• Being a native/ resident in any of the sub-districts will be an advantage. 
• MUST be able to ride a motorcycle and MUST HAVE a valid motorcycle driver’s license.