About SHAHKAR Social Services and Rehabilitation Organization

-SHAHKAR (SSSRO) is a distinguished non-political, non-profit, and non-governmental local organization established in 2013 and registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan. Founded by a group of highly educated and determined Afghan youth, SHAHKAR is now evolving as a women and youth-centered organization, our mission is to empower young generation through innovative programs and initiatives in poverty alleviation, human development, capacity building, health, education, research, environment, and climate change. By addressing gender disparities and fostering inclusive practices, we are dedicated to creating sustainable economic opportunities that actively engage all generation as producers, employees, consumers, and entrepreneurs. Through targeted interventions, SHAHKAR seeks to alleviate poverty, build resilience, and promote gender equity.

Job Description: Social Behavior Change (SBC) Officer

Job Summary

The Social Behavior Change (SBC) Officer is responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community-based behavior change strategies and interventions aimed at improving health, hygiene, nutrition, and protection outcomes. The SBC Officer will collaborate closely with program teams, community members, and local partners to promote positive social and behavioral change, ensuring culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive approaches. This role requires strong community engagement skills, technical knowledge of SBC frameworks, and the ability to build trust among diverse groups in Herat province.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategy Design and Implementation:
• Design and implement evidence-based SBC strategies and activities tailored to the context of Herat province.
• Community Assessments:
• Conduct community assessments to understand key barriers, motivators, and channels for behavior change.
• Material Development:
• Develop culturally appropriate SBC materials (brochures, posters, videos, radio messages, etc.) in local languages (Dari and Pashto).
• Community Mobilization:
• Organize and facilitate community mobilization activities, focus group discussions, peer education sessions, and behavior change communication campaigns.
• Capacity Building:
• Build the capacity of community health workers (CHWs), outreach volunteers, and partner organizations on SBC approaches and techniques.
• Monitoring and Reporting:
• Monitor and document SBC activities and regularly report progress, challenges, and success stories to the Program Manager.
• Collaboration with MEAL Team:
• Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure proper data collection, monitoring of behavior change indicators, and learning from SBC interventions.
• Inclusivity:
• Ensure SBC activities are inclusive and address the needs of vulnerable groups, especially women, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.
• Coordination:
• Participate in coordination meetings with local authorities, community leaders, and partner organizations to promote alignment and sustainability of SBC efforts.
• Community Ownership:
• Promote community ownership of behavior change initiatives and encourage long-term adoption of positive behaviors.
• Adherence to Principles:
• Ensure all SBC activities adhere to the organization's safeguarding, gender, and protection principles.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Communication for Development (C4D), Community Development, or related field.
• Master’s degree is an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in designing and implementing social behavior change or community mobilization activities in Afghanistan, preferably in Herat or similar contexts.
• Experience working with health, nutrition, WASH, or protection programs is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, facilitation, and participatory approaches.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of SBC theories, models, and best practices (e.g., COM-B, Social Ecological Model, etc.).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to develop culturally sensitive communication materials.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Good analytical and report writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Knowledge of MEAL practices is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluent in Dari and/or Pashto (both preferred).
• Good working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel regularly to field sites within Herat province.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, gender equality, and safeguarding standards.

Submission Guidelines

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes (CV) along with a cover letter and contact details no later than May 5, 2025, to hr@shahkar.org.af.

Please clearly indicate the job title and vacancy number in the subject line of the email.

Note: SSSRO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.