SBC Programme Director

 About MAGENTA 

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design behavioural insight solutions for positive change. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, intervention and campaign design and implementation.  

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media and academics to design innovative, relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world. 

MAGENTA has recently developed a comprehensive SBC strategy to support change in parental behaviours in Abu Dhabi across three specific areas – the importance of play, interaction and communication with infants and young children, and parental self-care – and thereby improve outcomes for young children.  

Following the strategy phase, MAGENTA is now getting ready for the implementation of an integrated and holistic SBC programme with edutainment, community engagement, communication and digital engagement, as well as service design and delivery components. Our team is looking for an SBC Programme Director who will be seconded to the client’s office in Abu Dhabi to oversee all programme activities on site to oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the SBC Strategy and related campaigns. The Programme Director will be supported by a newly recruited Campaign Director and a local Creative Strategist who worked on previous phases of the project. They will also work with a remote team of MAGENTA international experts including a team lead, a senior SBC advisor and a programme officer and an M&E team. 

Responsibilities   

The SBC Programme Lead will be the face of the project in Abu Dhabi, interacting with a variety of actors at senior levels from ECA and their government partners.  

He/she will lead on all aspects of stakeholder engagement, participating in all meetings with ECA and their partners, facilitating workshops and events in Abu Dhabi and overseeing the team responsible for campaign design and execution.  

Strategic Programme Oversight 

• Lead the strategic planning and execution of the programme with an SBC lens, ensuring communication campaigns are aligned with organizational objectives and goals. 
• Collaborate with senior management to align programme initiatives with broader organizational strategies and resource allocation. 
• Ensure effective risk management by identifying potential challenges and developing mitigation strategies to maintain programme integrity and continuity. 
• Drive continuous improvement by fostering a learning environment that encourages innovative approaches and evidence-based practices within the programme. 
• Facilitate SBC capacity-building activities for ECA staff and stakeholders to enhance programme effectiveness and sustainability. 

Stakeholder management and engagement: 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including ECA internal departments and government partners to ensure alignment and support for programme initiatives. 
• Facilitate regular communication and engagement sessions with stakeholders to gather insights, address concerns, and promote collaboration. 
• Assess stakeholder needs and expectations to tailor programme strategies and communication plans effectively. 
• Represent the programme at stakeholder meetings, workshops, and conferences to promote objectives and share success stories. 
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder feedback is integrated into programme planning and execution. 
• Monitor and evaluate stakeholder engagement activities and provide reports on their effectiveness in achieving programme goals. 
• Foster a culture of transparency and accountability by providing stakeholders with regular updates on programme progress and challenges. 
• Identify collaboration opportunities with stakeholder (government & private) to maximize the reach to the public, like AD Sports Council to organize series of activities in AD emirate or Department of health to promote the messages in the hospitals and clinics. 

 Monitoring and Evaluation: 

• Lead the development of a comprehensive Programme M&E framework with the support of the Campaign Director and M&E team. 
• Set measurable goals and regularly assess the impact of the advocacy and awareness efforts. 
• Monitor programme performance against established metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), providing analysis and recommendations for improvement. 
• Participate in evaluating the effectiveness of the campaigns to learn what worked well and what could be improved for future campaigns. 

Reporting and Compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with project objectives, donor requirements, and organizational policies. 
• Consolidate quarterly programme progress reports using data provided by the Campaign Director and M&E officer. 

Other business as needed: 

• Support MAGENTA’s development in the U.A.E and the wider region as requested (proposal development, representing MAGENTA at client meetings and various events etc.) 
• Share knowledge with other MAGENTA teams as requested (participate in internal brainstorming sessions, presentations etc.) 

Requirements and Competencies  

• Educational Background: 
• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Communications or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred. 
• Experience: 
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in managing social and behavior change programmes in the UAE or similar context. 
• Minimum 5 years experience working with government stakeholders 
• Minimum 2 years experience working on issues related to early childhood development 
• Experience in communications highly desirable. 
• Demonstrated experience in project management and budget management. 
• Technical Skills: 
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills 
• Strong understanding of social and behavior change theories and practices. 
• Proficiency in strategic communication planning and implementation. 
• Language Proficiency: 
• Excellent written and spoken proficiency in both English and Arabic. 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Applicants should submit a two-page CV and letter of motivation here. The letter of motivation should describe why you want to join the MAGENTA team, with a specific example of how your experience and skills can enhance MAGENTA’s work.