The Hygiene Promotion Officer is responsible for the planning, implementation, and monitoring of hygiene promotion activities within the WASH program. This includes improving hygiene behaviors and practices in the target communities to reduce waterborne diseases and improve overall public health. The officer will work closely with local communities, stakeholders, and other project staff to ensure the integration of hygiene promotion strategies into WASH programs. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
- Hygiene Promotion Activities: Develop and implement hygiene promotion strategies tailored to the specific needs of the community. Activities may include awareness campaigns, community education, training, and distribution of hygiene materials.
- Community Engagement: Mobilize and engage local communities to promote hygienic behaviors. Conduct focus group discussions, participatory activities, and hygiene education sessions with target populations (e.g., households, schools, health centers).
- Cultural Sensitivity: Ensure that hygiene promotion activities are culturally appropriate and consider the local context and community structures.
- Material Development: Design and develop educational materials (e.g., posters, leaflets, radio scripts, etc.) for hygiene education campaigns. Ensure that materials are accessible and understandable for different target groups.
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Monitoring Hygiene Practices: Conduct regular household and community-level surveys to assess hygiene practices and identify gaps. Monitor the effectiveness of hygiene promotion activities through regular visits and data collection.
- Behavioral Change: Use appropriate monitoring tools and indicators to track changes in hygiene behaviors and practices. Adjust programs based on feedback and evaluation results.
- Reporting: Prepare and submit regular reports on hygiene promotion activities, including progress, challenges, and achievements. Ensure accurate data collection and analysis to inform program improvements. Provide inputs into monthly and quarterly progress reports
Capacity Building
- Training & Support: Train and mentor field staff, community health workers, and volunteers in hygiene promotion techniques and methodologies. Ensure that staff are well-equipped to deliver hygiene education.
- Hygiene Volunteers/Community Health Workers (CHWs): Provide ongoing support and supervision to community health workers or hygiene promoters in the field to ensure quality delivery of hygiene promotion messages.
Collaboration & Coordination
- Coordination with Partners: Collaborate with local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, and community leaders to ensure a coordinated approach to hygiene promotion within the broader WASH program.
- Cross-Program Integration: Work closely with WATSAN Officer, shelter teams, Protection and CCCM team to integrate hygiene promotion into the overall WASH interventions. Ensure that hygiene promotion is part of the wider community health improvement efforts.
Emergency Response & Preparedness
- Emergency Hygiene Promotion: In times of humanitarian emergencies, rapidly assess hygiene needs and implement emergency hygiene promotion activities, including the distribution of hygiene kits and provision of hygiene education to displaced populations.
- Preparedness: Contribute to emergency preparedness plans by identifying potential hygiene risks and developing strategies to address them in crisis situations.
Advocacy & Awareness
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Lead or support hygiene awareness campaigns, including World Water Day, Global Handwashing Day, or other relevant days. Use various channels such as community events, media, and social events to promote hygiene messages.
- Advocacy for Hygiene Practices: Advocate for sustainable hygiene practices at the community level, involving key community leaders, health committees, and local government representatives to support long-term behavioral change.
Required
- At least 2-3 years of experience in hygiene promotion, public health education, or community development, preferably in humanitarian or development settings.
- Experience in designing and delivering hygiene education programs, particularly in resource-poor or emergency settings.
- Knowledge of key hygiene promotion approaches, including behavior change communication (BCC), participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST), community-led total sanitation (CLTS), or hygiene kits distribution.
Skills & Competencies:
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- Strong understanding of hygiene-related diseases and their prevention.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to train and motivate local communities and staff.
- Ability to develop and adapt materials for different audiences (children, adults, women, etc.).
- Knowledge of participatory techniques and behavior change methods.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- A Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
Working at DRC
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DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 40 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.