Community Engagement Advisor at Partners for Development (PfD)

Qualifications:

• At least five years in developing countries with demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance and training;
• Five years of program management experience

Community Engagement Advisor, Nigeria

Job Summary:

The Community Engagement Advisor (CEA) will be responsible for leading on PfD’s role in the large Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (RMNCH) project in Nigeria to be funded by USAID. The CEA will oversee and ensure effective program implementation, involving the communities being served by and indicatively could: identify target problem areas and assign planning and implementing tailored solutions as required. The CEA will prospectively seek out ways to engage women and community members in identifying community-level gaps to develop strategies, using technological tools as an aid to help bridge some of these gaps. The CEA will also help identify ‘change agents’ to help further RMNCH’s reach, overseeing training sessions and workshops. Please note that this position is contingent on funding and possibly on donor approval.

Indicative Job Description:
Management

• Work closely with PfD staff and partners to design and implement proven and/or innovative community engagement strategies, approaches and tools.
• Lead the development and updating of strategies, approaches, and tools for community engagement and support their integration and use in current and new programs and projects.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the staff and partners to ensure programmatic activities and workplans, program tools (including training materials), integrate and reflect organizational strategies, approaches and tools.

Reporting

• Collaborate with the M&E team/partners to develop and implement relevant analyses, which support organizational learning around community engagement and to contribute to the advancement of the field, as well as to ensure that program-level M&E plans and organizational indicators appropriately and sufficiently measure program progress, process, outcomes and impact as regards community engagement.
• Conduct needs assessments, planning training programs, and delivering or facilitating training workshops, conferences and seminars.
• Capture lessons learned and success stories during the project’s implementation, while contributing to monthly and quarterly reports, as required.

Engagement

• Serve as liaison (or link) between the communities and the LGA/Primary Health Facilities
• Serve as the organizational expert and leader on community engagement strategies, approaches and tools, for PfD staff, partners and among external stakeholders.
• Build capacity of PfD staff and partners as regards community engagement approaches and strategies, including through training, mentoring and supporting the institutionalization and operationalization of key strategies and approaches.
• Establish and maintain linkages with community partners.
• Facilitate training of trainers sessions as required throughout PfD’s designated program areas
• Lead and conduct community meetings in PfD’s target communities, encouraging full participation by community members.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in design and implementation of community engagement programs with at least five years in developing countries with demonstrated expertise in providing technical assistance and training to programs.
• Graduate degree in public health, international development, or related behavioral sciences.
• Demonstrated expertise in the theory, science and practice of community engagement and behavior change as it applies to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health with previous experience working on maternal health projects in Africa, preferably in Nigeria.
• Minimum five years of program management experience for projects funded by USAID and other USG agencies, with experience liaising with senior host government and international officials and donor organizations.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of community-based programs with experience in presenting findings, results and lessons learned to international audiences.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in community engagement, participation and demand generation for increasing access and use of family planning, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS services in developing countries.
• Native level English language skills with outstanding communication skills (written & oral).
• Well motivated, team member able to work alone and/or without supervision, able to make sound decisions independently. Willingness to travel at a moment’s notice.

Reports to: Country Director, Nigeria.