Save the Children Job in Nigeria for an Advocacy & Communication Officer
Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for
children. We work in around 120 countries. Our vision is to live in a
world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection,
development and participation.
Job Title: Advocacy & Communication Officer
Location: Gombe State
Job Description
The Advocacy and Communication Officer will
contribute to Save the Children’s efforts to influence and bring about
change in the awareness, attitudes, behaviours and policies related to
the rights of children in the country programme in the state of posting.
Key accountabilities
Strategy Development
- Identify
policy and practice for change, on the basis of Save the Children’s
experience, that would promote and protect the rights of children.
- Formulate
key advocacy messages and targets from lessons learned, assessments,
research and evidence gained through project implementation on Health
and Nutrition.
- Contribute to the development and implementation
of advocacy objectives and initiatives, both short and long term,
encompassing a wide range of issues and audiences on Health and
Nutrition.
- Ensure that voices of children form the basis of Save the Children’s advocacy strategy.
- Acquire information and understanding of social policy and adapt strategies as necessary.
- Maintain
a strategic overview of issues affecting children, monitoring trends in
the external environment and inputting to organisational strategy and
planning processes.
- Keep a watching brief on policy makers and
other key players in relation to child health and nutrition issues and
identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.
- Contribute
to all efforts to raise/nurture CSO coalition and champions for
vaccine, health workers and nutrition at the state level.
Influencing
- Develop
good knowledge of state and national government structures,
parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures
and how to influence them.
- Undertake a range of lobbying,
communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy
makers, including donors and politicians, of the value of Save the
Children’s policy recommendations.
- Build systems for research,
analysis and documentation that underpin evidence based advocacy and
influencing at state and national levels.
- Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages.
- Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.
Collaboration & Representation
- Develop strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work.
- Develop
and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the
government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
- Build the capacity of staff from Save the Children and partner agencies in advocacy and communications.
- Represent
Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities
at national and international levels, as directed.
- Act as a
spokesperson for Save the Children to a variety of external audiences
including policy makers and the media, as directed.
- Liaise
closely with staff in the Policy and Communication units at Save the
Children headquarters and coordinate with other Save the Children
members.
Programme Development
- Support the programme team in the development of research methodologies, data analysis, report writing and publication.
- Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.
- Write regular progress reports, including annual impact monitoring reports.
- Perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.
Person specification
The
post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political
acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, and ability
to communicate key advocacy messages effectively and convincingly to a
diverse audience at local, national and international levels.
Essential
University degree in health, nutrition, communications or related social science field.
Substantial experience in advocacy and policy development / research in the development context.
Must be currently residing/working in Gombe, Bauchi or its environs
Good
understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision
and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
Good
understanding of strategies for achieving sustainable child Health and
Nutrition policies through participatory processes, and the links with
gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
Excellent
conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think
strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of
desired change objectives.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local, national and international levels.
Ability
to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key
contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
Ability to travel extensively in the country.
Good
computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet) and
ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
Fluent English language skills (written and verbal).
Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.
Desirable
- Experience in training others in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
- Prior work experience in advocacy in Nigeria.
- Experience working with children on Health and Nutrition will be an added advantage.
- Local language skills (Ability to communicate in Hausa will be an advantage).
- Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions with regard to child Nutrition.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click Here to Apply