Position Objective

The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) in Timor-Leste, collaborating with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the Government of the United States of America, is responsible as the Government of Timor-Leste’s accountable entity for implementing the $420 million Timor-Leste Compact, which, together with an additional contribution of $64 million from the Government of Timor-Leste, represents a total $484 million investment in Timor-Leste. The Compact aims to address human capital development as a binding constraint to economic growth in Timor-Leste through two projects: the Water, Sanitation, and Drainage (WSD) Project and the Teaching and Leading the Next generation of Timorese (TALENT) Project.

Under the guidance of the Managing Director for the WSD Project, the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Manager provides technical leadership to the design and implementation of the social and behavior change (SBC) activities for the WSD Project. The Manager will guide SBC activity design, implementation, and partnership and grant management. The Director will support visits from Millennium Challenge Corporation staff and consultants and will facilitate all SBC-related meetings with partners and external stakeholders. The Manager will ensure the timely delivery of SBC programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Manager will serve as a member of the Timor-Leste MCA by providing intellectual and technical leadership for social and behavior change activities during the design and implementation of the Compact. Key tasks associated with this position:

• Provide technical, people-centered, and effective leadership to those designing and implementing strategies, programs, or tools in Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and/or Human-Centered Design
• Effective project management, coordinating with other stakeholders and ensuring SBC success in the Compact.
• Effective project management of partnership agreements and grant funding.
• Ensure that SBC design and implementation remains technically sound and aligned with the Compact’s program logic.
• Manage technical activities, ensure appropriate work planning and budgeting, monitoring compliance with policies and guidelines, and coordinating inputs from other technical staff.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with MCC/MCA, other donor/client organizations, relevant government agencies and utilities, and NGOs. Ensure all parties work together to appropriately implement SBC activities.
• Apply standard systems and tools to evaluate the quality of SBC activities and provide guidance to address identified issues.
• Participate in regular program data reviews to identify SBC activity implementation problems and develop corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the Compact’s WSD Project staff to ensure appropriate SBC content, task sequencing, and timely roll-out of work.
• Organize mission itineraries for MCC staff supporting the Compact’s SBC component and facilitate visits.
• Communicate regularly with MCC staff, activity partners, and relevant external stakeholders to ensure Compact buy-in and the sharing of regular updates.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• A minimum of six years of progressively increasing technical responsibility leading to a senior level of expertise in SBC or Human-Centered Design programs.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant social science discipline, such as International Communication, Social and Behavior Change Communication, Social Marketing, Public Health, Health Communication, Health Promotion, Psychology, or relevant Social Sciences, is required.
• Experience translating program design into program implementation.
• Experience with international donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience in developing terms of reference (TORs), and managing consultants, including ensuring compliance with TORs.
• Knowledge of Timorese policies, laws and regulations relevant to social aspects of water and sanitation is an added advantage.
• Organized and results-oriented, with ability to translate Compact strategy and objectives into tasks and work plans.
• Skilled in building consensus among employees and developing strong relationships with outside stakeholders.
• Skilled in working with civil society organizations.
• Able to identify and propose solutions to mitigate and manage risks.
• Strong intercultural supervisory and team-building skills and experience; mentoring and facilitation skills preferred.
• Ability to work independently with initiative to manage high volume workflow.
• Professional fluency in oral and written English language, familiarity with Tetum and Portuguese a plus.
• Experience in the water sector and/or utilities is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated similar work experience in Timor-Leste and experience coordinating with government institutions is an advantage.