Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours. Please give monthly and support our mission. Save the Children is working to strengthen health systems and support maternal and child health in four northern states. Much work needs to be done for Nigeria to deliver its promises on Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 (which aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health) before 2015. Facts About Nigeria More than 173 Million people live there The average girl stays in school only until she’s 9 123 out of 1000 children die before their 5th birthday A parent earns an average of just $4 a day Our Work Save the Children has been working in Nigeria since 2001. We’re helping to improve health systems in northern Nigeria to delivery maternal, newborn, and child health services, including the revival of routine immunization.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND
- Experience: 3 years
- Location: Kaduna
- Job Field: NGO/Non-Profit
ROLE PURPOSE:
The Community Mobilization Officer will provide technical support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of SBC/community mobilization strategies and strengthening the capacity of SC partners and their frontline workers in SBC/community mobilization. S/he will support the utilization of evidence-based, best practices and SC’s global SBC Framework and Process to inform planning, development of tools, and materials for the SBC interventions on PLANE Window 3 under the supervision of the SBC Coordinator and with leadership of the SBC Manager. The post holder will also support SC’s efforts to address the demand side barriers to education, particularly for out of school children, including girls and children living with disabilities.
Under the guidance of the SBC Coordinator, the Community Mobilization Officer will support SC’s efforts in creating equitable Partnerships with communities, local and consortium partners that relate to the project’s SBC components. Specifically, this work will entail support to the consortium partners with whom SC has joint plans and a teaming agreement to incorporate SBC/community mobilization interventions within this project, support delivery of community-based interventions, and help manage relationships with local partners.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Under the leadership of a Community Mobilization Coordinator, and working with other team members, the post holder will:
- Provide day to day oversight and support towards implementation, monitoring and supervision of community mobilization activities across implementation LGAs and communities, in collaboration with project partners, government and community stakeholders against intended objectives, targets, and timelines.
- Contribute to the carrying out of formative research, baseline assessments, and community mapping, including development of evaluation protocols, tools, training, data collection.
- Support the development of an evidence-informed SBC strategy, approaches and activities to influence shifts in community norms, attitudes and behaviours in support of learning by households and communities, in close coordination with other technical team;
- Contribute to development of detailed implementation plans, work plans and budgets for partners and SC-supported SBC interventions;
- Develop terms of reference, budgets and seek approval for upcoming activities
- Facilitate and maintain relationship with community leaders, community members and structures such as SBMCs, core groups and community focal persons;
- Coordinate recruitment of community volunteers and facilitators in consultation with community leaders and LGA partners;
- Prepare required periodic report for SBC and community mobilization activities.
- In collaboration with finance, ensure timely processing and payment of volunteer stipends monthly.
Capacity Strengthening:
- Undertake field visits to partners and facilitators to oversee implementation, including provision of on-site feedback and supportive supervision on required improvements, and generate field visit reports with timely and appropriate follow-up on action points.
- Lead training of community volunteers and other relevant community partners, and ongoing capacity strengthening through mentoring and supportive supervision and encourage the development of peer networks and learning opportunities, including through review meetings.
Partner Management:
- Under the supervision of the Community Mobilization Coordinator, SBC Manager and Field Manager, liaise and maintain relationships with SC’s communication partner, with whom the organization has joint ambition/plans/teaming agreement on the SBC and communication components for PLANE;
- Ensure that all supported SBC activities from Partners are appropriately planned and delivered, and report on progress monthly.
Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning:
- Ensure that Save the Children’s and partner’s work is coordinated with other agencies and the Government’s efforts and support Interagency Coordination forums, advocating for the specific needs of children. This may involve supporting coordination working groups within the project supported communities, LGAs and at the State level;
- In cooperation with advocacy and education team, ensure community-based and social accountability initiatives are linked with policy influencing;
- Contribute to communications and media work as required through collection of data and information and sharing with the team leads;
- In cooperation with the MEAL Team, support data quality assessments and support community volunteers to effectively document and report community mobilization activities using appropriate tools.
- Support documentation and dissemination of programme results, including success stories and case studies in close coordination with SCI Nigeria’s Knowledge Management and Media and Comms team;
- Support in sharing the PLANE experience and learning at stakeholder meetings, workshops, donors and other engagements as appropriate
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of a BSc or its equivalent in Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Education, Nutrition, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related fields.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
- At least three years experience implementing SBC/Community mobilization related interventions, monitoring, supervision and training;
- Experience in planning and implementing participatory learning and community action approaches is an asset;
- Master trainer and a good facilitator
- Demonstrable report writing and presentation skills
- Ability to supervise and work collaboratively with community structures;
- Excellent communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive, and empathize with all beneficiaries and their carers;
- Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions;
- Prepared to live and work in an uncertain security environment;
- Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multi-cultural team;
- Ability to think creatively and strategically;
- Proficient writing and verbal communication skills;
- Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English and Local languages (Hausa);
- Ability and willingness to frequently travel and stay at the field;
- Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles;
- Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office)
Desirable
- Ability to track and document success stories and case studies to demonstrate intervention impacts
