Social and Behavior Change Specialist

Job Opportunities with USAID Saving Species Project

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Saving Species Program is USAID/Vietnam’s flagship implementation vehicle for combating wildlife trafficking and implemented by Tetra Tech in partnership with Vietnam CITES Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. TRAFFIC Vietnam and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) are also project partners. The project consists of three tasks:

Task 1: Improve and Harmonize the Legal Framework for Wildlife Crime

This addresses core rule of law and governance weaknesses, supporting trade compliance, increasing clarity regarding overlapping jurisdictions, contradictory or unclear mandates, legal loopholes and weak authorities.

Task 2: Strengthen Wildlife Law Enforcement and Prosecution

Building the capacity of the courts, prosecutors, law enforcement and customs agents, and institutionalizing police and customs countering wildlife trafficking training with particular reference to any new laws and the improved Penal Code.

Task 3: Reduce Consumer Demand for Illegal Wildlife and Wildlife Products

Demand reduction is a primary goal for the combating wildlife trafficking (CWT) Activity; it will ultimately contribute to reducing the economic incentive for poachers and traffickers of illicit wildlife. Tetra Tech will refine and expand a dynamic SBCC approach already implemented by TRAFFIC for rhino horn in Vietnam, organized into five steps. The SBCC approach is distinguished from broader communications approaches (e.g., public service advertisements and announcements issued through multimedia channels such as print/television/Internet news and radio). It does not stop at providing the knowledge that people need to act but goes on to encourage and enable them to shift attitudes and practice, thus moving recipients along the continuum of behavior change. Our approach identifies motivations (functional, nutritional, medicinal, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual) and specific behaviors behind wildlife product consumption. It then addresses these motivations and behaviors through dynamic outreach, successfully reducing use of existing consumers while shifting the cultural norms to make use of illicit wildlife products unacceptable.

USAID Saving Species is recruiting a dynamic Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Specialist for the project team for the successful implementation of the SBCC efforts part of the project (Task 3).

All applicants should be Vietnamese citizens. Interested and qualified candidates should email their cover letter, current curriculum vitae (CV) and 3 references to: [email protected]. Subject of the email should include “USAID Saving Species” and the name of the position applying for. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Selected candidates will be hired as soon as they are available. Compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience.

USAID Saving Species is committed to diversity and gender equality in all of its operations. We encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups.

Deadline for submission of applications: 22 May 2020

Social and Behavior Change Specialist

Reports to:   Deputy Chief of Party

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Advise and support the Chief of Party in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and sustain efforts to reduce consumer demand for targeted illegal wildlife products with an initial focus on rhino horn, elephant ivory, and pangolin products.
• Provide day-to-day direction of all demand reduction activities including those intended to build constituencies and develop long-term commitment to wildlife values across the broader public in coordination and consultation with USS colleagues, by leading other staff, subcontractors, and grantees.
• Collaborate with and build upon the SBCC efforts of a host of other internationally - assisted and civil society activities in Viet Nam and in the region through the presentation of the evidence-based SBCC frameworks and outcomes for USAID Saving Species.
• Liaise with Government of Vietnam on issues of SBCC for Saving Species

QUALIFICATIONS: (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS)

EDUCATION:                       

• A successful candidate must possess a master’s degree in marketing or SBCC related field or, in lieu thereof, two additional years’ experience in a social-marketing or social science.  

WORK EXPERIENCE:         

• Seven years of professional experience designing, implementing, and leading social and behavior change campaigns, including experience with social marketing, strategic communications, and/or behavior change communications.
• Experience with polling and consumer surveying techniques, quantitative and qualitative survey methods, the use of mass media and social networks to influence and gain public support, the negotiation and formation of alliances across interest groups, and/or working with civil society organizations.
• Ability to critically analyze and review consumer data and other data sources to develop concepts for implementation of behavior change initiatives under the five-step behavior change process (http://www.changewildlifeconsumers.org/).
• Strong understanding and experience of the Vietnam SBCC context is required.

SKILLS:                      

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, calmness, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues. Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook…Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team. Must also be able to create a supportive working relationship among all project teams.

LANGUAGES:                      

• Excellent language proficiency in spoken and written English and Vietnamese.

GENERAL:                           

• Enthusiastic, serious, responsible, good analytical and communications skills, high integrity, ability to work under pressure, attention to details and due diligence. Passionate about biodiversity conservation and sustainability.