Get in touch with 'Cobz' via: [ cobz@myway.com]
1. What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?
Fun and interesting. Though I know these two may sound too general, it would mean people who are exciting to talk to, lively and outgoing. They like trying (new) things out talking (of their experiences, what they learnt) and also like sharing ideas and challenging others. Sounds like a lot of extroverts, but you would be amazed by some introverts people I hang out with!
2. What do you do?
I am a communication practitioner, or to be specific a health communication practitioner. What I basically do, is design, guide, listen, support and advise people on how best to pass across messages to get the right effect, response, and inspiration to adopt a particular behaviour, lifestyle or action. This can be done in various fields but at the moment I work in family planning program where I basically work with a number of partners, individuals and groups.
I help design activities for promoting and creating awareness about family planning (FP) and FP services, I design and guide education on the importance of FP and sexual reproductive health, I also contribute to creating demand for and publicizing FP services at static centres (health facilities) and at community outreaches. I handle communication and SBC aspects at community level (for audience/beneficiaries), partners and stakeholders levels, media and support making a new social norm around family planning and sexual reproductive health.
3. Why do you do what you do?
Honestly, (on the surface) I think it’s because I’m talkative and communication seems obvious!
I do what I do because I find it exciting and interesting working with people and communities and seeing little changes and transformation as a result of someone somewhere getting a message and resonating with it. I also like the fact that, SBC allows a creative mix of arts, culture, science and theory (which SBC is pegged on). Moreover in doing this (what is in question 2 above), I also learn more about the same.
4. Is this where you thought you would end up?
I would say kind of, YES. My academic background is in Design with a specialization in Graphic Design; but after my graduation, I strongly believed that I wanted my design and creative skills to do and be more that creating stuff, I wanted it to make some difference to someone beyond making an announcement. I believe in the line of thought that design is about solving problems of communication between client/product/source and the user/audience. This meant I practice it beyond the “creative or media” industry. Also, I think probably because I got into volunteering earlier on and was in the communication department that’s how I got into SBC
5. What values are you committed to?
- Continuous learning from others above me and those below me; from all areas and professions.
- Listening – I will admit it is very hard but very necessary.
- Transfer of skills no matter how basic; because this is what got me to where I am now.
- Tweak and experiment (may not be the best word here) – Trying new ways of doing something, adding a little touch of “new” this is where I put my design skills to work. Break or bend rules a little.
- Team work.
- Loosening up – informality can be formal; and this makes a big difference.
6. How many hours do you work in a typical week?
About 40-50 hours formally; but sometimes I go beyond this.
7. What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?
- Coordination, as I work with more than one group at the same time as well as with different stakeholders and partners in a consortium.
- Time management and planning – it’s not about deadlines but doing all that you can in the best possible time.
- Patience – when you work with mixed teams and in communities and you are working to strengthen systems this helps a lot. People are not always at the same level and pace and we have to work together because communication is participative.
- Technical and critical thinking – you have to see how what you’re doing contributes to the bigger goal and in what way. (This is especially important for SBC in justifying our approaches.)
8. Are there any negatives to your job?
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I’m not sure! …….but I would say the fact that I cannot say “I don’t know” – being considered the expert in demand creation/SBC whereas I consider myself a facilitator in the process. Maybe also that it’s not an 8 to 5 career; you’re always seeing something and thinking about it.
9. What is the background of most senior level executives in your SBCC circles?
Mostly either in Sociology, Education, Marketing and Business Administration, or Public Health
10. What do you wish you knew at our stage? (IE: entry level SBCC practitioners)
That the impact of SBCC takes time and at times is invisible and that it is beyond drawing the masses (though at times you would be made to think that it is so).
11. What is the best piece of professional advice you've ever received and used or implemented?
It is never about you! It’s about the person on the other end (audience/beneficiary); the person you work with (colleague, implementing partner). This makes one think and start with “the end” in mind.
12. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would stop worrying about whether or everything will work out! But honestly NOTHING, I believe I am a sum of those experiences.
13. What should keep entry-level SBCC enthusiasts up at night?
Making an impact. Well it’s what I’ve been told and since then it seems to keep me up! Additionally they should think of value, is the approach used a value for the resources put; and is it adding value to the community and other beneficiaries?
14. What professional organizations are you associated with, and in what ways?
I’m mainly associated with online networks and platforms such as GYCA, where mostly there is a lot of exchange, feedback and input to national, regional and global process of advocacy and policy work. I also joined local/regional SBC and communication for development networks; and to be honest in these I’ve been mostly getting resources and information about what is being done elsewhere in the field, and a couple of times I chip in to the discussions.
15. What used to be your biggest weakness?
If I had an idea in my head I wanted to see it actualized; this means the bar was subconsciously set high. But I realize that with SBC there is no one-size-fits-all, and everyone will attempt something in a different way, since in SBC we work with communities who are active, knowledgeable and fluid.
16. What mistakes have you made?
Setting up systems but not really ensuring they are accepted or adopted by the collaborators or communities. The process of collective participation cannot be done halfway.
17. What one thing do you still struggle with?
It’s the struggle of recognition for SBC (or communication in general) in development work. There is the need to prove to other development work practitioners that SBC is relevant and has great impact not just for publicity, but also for distribution of materials and branding.
18. What traits impress you the most in a working professional, irrespective of their area of expertise?
Open minded and allowing flexibility of approaches to SBC.
19. What are the top 7 technical skills that entry-level SBCC enthusiasts should strive to horn?
- Communication
- Financial discipline
- Observation and listening
- A questioning mentality (what if? and how?)
20. Considering all the people you have met in your line of work, what personal attributes are essential for success?
- Confidence in self and in what you do
- Team player and team leadership
- Networking skills
21. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment?
Being where I am today and not taking the expected route after my field of study. Leaving marks in places I have worked either through colleagues I have mentored or inspired, projects I have implemented, approaches I have introduced and seeing them still in use.
22. What factors do you consider most often when planning for the future?
I think for me, is the “can do” attitude and seeing the end goal. Once you see how you fit in and can accomplish the tasks even if its 30%, that is a start to the planning.
23. What developments in the horizon could affect future career opportunities in this field?
The pressure for sustainability in development and participation; this would shape the field and require SBC to help redefine the new paradigm of development.
24. Can you recommend a "mustread" book that will help us broaden our skills as working professionals or inspire us to reach my highest potential?
Malcolm Gladwell’s, "The Tipping Point". It illustrates how little things make a lot of difference.
25. As a communicator, if you could write a book on a social issue; what would it be and why?
I think it would be something connecting design and social change. I would base it on how creativity and expressions has shaped or caused social change. The book would capture experiences from individuals and communities.
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