ARDA Development Communication Inc. – ARDA’s goal is to promote sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa with culturally competent, audience-centric communication methodologies that fearlessly address root causes, tackle the most relevant and pressing issues, and make lasting positive impacts on beneficiaries. The organization identifies and exploits the most accessible and effective communication channels and creative approaches to reach those in greatest need and to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.
For over twenty years as the African Radio Drama Association, ARDA-DCI has been at the forefront of developing, producing and broadcasting media campaigns for social and behaviour change. ARDA-DCI is now focused on using the most innovative and cutting edge smart communication strategies to effect social and behavioural change in the key areas that influence sustainable development.
At ARDA-DCI, we use storytelling, entertainment-education approaches and research to design efficacious materials for dissemination on traditional and new media platforms. We produce radio and video programs, viral video skits, podcasts, print materials, mobile applications, and live stage performances that effectively communicate sustainable development messages to audiences and key beneficiaries in a way that is relevant, acceptable and accessible.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Consultant, State Field Officer
Location: Lokoja, Kogi
Employment Type: Part-time
Overview
- The African Radio Drama Association (ARDA) in a consortium led by Mercy Corps is implementing a 5-year Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) project in 6 Nigerian States across North West (Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States) and North Central (Kogi, Benue and Plateau States). ARDA is seeking six state-based Consultant Field Officers who will support ARDA’s on-ground implementation in each of the six project states, specifically, supporting ARDA’s strategic communication activities.
- Reporting directly to the ARDA Program Officer and Mass Media and Public Outreach Officer, who are managed by the Program Manager, each Consultant State Field Officer will be ARDA’s associate agent within the state.
- The consultancy will be renewable on an annual basis and the consultancy fee will be paid on a monthly basis.
Responsibilities
The candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and community members within project implementation LGAs and communities.
- Provide on-ground organization support of ARDA’s training programs and workshops including planning, logistics, recruitment of suitable participants according to guidelines provided by ARDA.
- Monitor in-state CIPP media and communication activities.
- Monitor the broadcast of weekly radio programs and collect proof of airing and recorded programs for dissemination to ARDA.
- Institute, train and monitor women’s critical discussion groups.
- Provide monthly reports of women’s critical discussion group meetings, live radio programs, and any special activities indicated by ARDA.
- Travel to attend women’s critical discussion groups weekly during radio programs.
- Record community women’s special radio programs within the intervention communities.
- Recruit and supervise a Consultant Field Assistant/ Radio Program Monitor who is present at the live weekly radio programs.
- Provide regular pictorial, video or sound updates from ARDA’s implementation activities within the state.
- Promote ARDA implementation activities and mass media programs.
- Implement basic monitoring research metrics (such as basic surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions) to track and report on the results of ARDA activities with the CIPP project.
- Provide feedback on radio programs and other implementation activities for quality improvement of ARDA’s interventions.
- Liaise with other implementing partners within the CIPP consortium, as needed, to carry out the implementation, monitoring and reporting of other project-related activities.
Requirements
- A First-level University Degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in any field (Degrees in Communication, Development Studies, Peace Studies are an added benefit).
- Minimum of two years of experience working on the field in the development sector especially in the areas of community engagement, development, advocacy, or research.
- Basic knowledge of the conflict context within the state.
- Must be proactive and able to work independently.
- Strong organizational and writing skills, including the ability to organize trainings and write and collate monthly reports.
- Willingness to travel to project communities in a minimum of four project LGAs monthly.
- Having existing relationships with key stakeholders and influencers in the state such as civil society, government or community leadership, media or entertainment, is an advantage.
- Knowledge of a local language is beneficial.
- Experience coordinating participatory community activities and engaging with community women’s groups and community youth groups is preferred.
- Experience with photography and media production or a willingness to learn is an advantage.
- Knowledge of contemporary culture in the state including popular social media platforms and influencers, stories from the community is also an advantage.
Level of Effort:
- This Consultant State Field Officer will be expected to commit up to 2-3 days per week in visiting communities to attend women’s critical discussion groups, collect media, stories and opinions from community members, and in overseeing weekly and monthly reporting and M&E. Additional time commitments may occasionally be required to support logistics, planning for ARDA’s CIPP activities, for supporting other partners’ CIPP activities or representing the ARDA-CIPP team in the state.
- However, this consultancy is not exclusive and consultants are allowed to take on other paid activities as long as they do not interfere with the delivery of tasks stated within this scope or contravene the ARDA Code of Conduct that will be provided to you, which all consultants are required to adhere to. The consultancy will be renewable upon review on an annual basis and the consultancy fee will be paid on a monthly basis.
Application Closing Date
3rd December, 2021.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a Cover Letter detailing suitability for the role to: [email protected], with the subject “(State of Application) Consultant Field Officer”, e.g. “KogiState Consultant Field Officer”.
Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
