Overview: We are seeking a highly skilled Gender and Social Behavior Expert to join our team in Cameroon for a one-year project focused on assessing the social behavioral factors contributing to communities' reluctance to immunize their children. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in conducting comprehensive assessments, analyzing data, and implementing targeted strategies to address identified challenges. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on public health outcomes through evidence-based interventions.
Responsibilities:
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Assessment Design and Implementation:
- Review protocols and design to ensure the Integration of Gender Equity & Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis into the assessment process, guided by Human Centered Design and System Thinking methodologies.
- Support the execution of a comprehensive SBC Formative Assessment to understand the gender and social behavioral dynamics influencing vaccination uptake within communities.
- Collaborate with local community leaders, health practitioners, and governmental agencies to foster partnerships and gain insights into community dynamics.
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Data Collection and Analysis:
- Support quantitative and qualitative data analysis to identify patterns, trends, and barriers related to immunization behavior.
- Utilize gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate frameworks to interpret findings accurately.
- Facilitate participatory workshops and meetings to engage stakeholders in the assessment process and gather diverse perspectives.
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Co-creation & implementation of SBC activities:
- Participate in translation of assessment findings into actionable strategies aimed at addressing identified barriers to immunization.
- Lead development of innovative interventions that are sensitive to gender dynamics, cultural norms, and social structures within target communities.
- Oversee the implementation of pilot interventions based on assessment findings, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, collecting feedback and adapting strategies as needed to optimize outcomes.
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Documentation and Reporting:
- Co-develop comprehensive reports documenting assessment methodologies, findings, and recommendations for future interventions.
- Participate in dissemination of findings through presentations, publications, and other knowledge-sharing platforms to inform broader public health efforts.
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Gender Studies, or a related field.
- Proven experience conducting gender-sensitive assessments or research in the context of public health or community development projects.
- Strong understanding of gender dynamics, social behavior theories, and cultural factors influencing health-related practices.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and convey complex concepts in accessible formats.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams and adapt interventions to context-specific needs.
- Experience working in low-resource settings or with marginalized communities is highly desirable.
- Fluency in English and French as well as relevant languages spoken within the project area may be an advantage.
- Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including survey design, data collection, and analysis is an added advantage.