Advocacy Specialist at FHI 360

Requisition: 2018202075
Location Abuja
Job Type: Full time
Supervisor: A&T Nigeria Project Director
Program Duration: November 2015 to July 31, 2020

Position Summary

• The Advocacy Specialist will work as part of A&T Nigeria scale up team led by the A&T Nigeria Project Director.
• The advocacy specialist will oversee advocacy activities in the 12 scale-up states.
• This position will communicate and connect with other A&T Nigeria office technical staff, sub grantees and government stakeholders to ensure successful outcome of advocacy activities.

Program Summary
The Nigeria A&T IYCF social and behavior change program focuses on improving rates of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, timely introduction of complementary feeding, and minimum dietary diversity for infants over 6 months old. A&T works across the public, commercial/private, and NGO sectors to improve IYCF through A&T’s four components: advocacy, interpersonal communication and community mobilization, mass communication, and strategic use of data.

At the national level, A&T works predominantly with its public, private/commercial, and NGO sector partners (Scaling Up Nutrition and other national IYCF initiatives) to improve the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of key IYCF policies (Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; maternity leave; work place support; breastfeeding-friendly health care and delivery facilities). A&T will also work in twelve states through identified national associations to apply the four components to reach households, communities, and facilities with targeted, age-appropriate social and behavior change communication (SBCC) messaging on IYCF practices.

At both the national level and in the states, while the emphasis will be to build the capacity of the public sector to improve IYCF practices, the involvement and resources from the private and commercial sectors will be pursued to advance IYCF policies, expand the promotion of positive social norms, and extend timed and age-appropriate behavior change messaging through private and commercial facilities to households and communities.

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct stakeholder analysis in 12 states With support from the Advocacy/Policy Advisor, work with the state governments to develop state level advocacy strategy and adapt tools/materials.
• Support the state government to roll out the strategies
• Ensure effective follow up with the Parliamentarians in the 12 states on the Ouagadougou commitments
• Work with the 12 states to ensure adoption and utilization of the advocacy score card
• Work with the Advocacy/Policy Advisor to support state governments in strengthening capacity of NAFDAC on BMS Code monitoring and enforcement
• Support dissemination of the report of maternity entitlements in the states and use the report as a tool for effective engagement with policy makers.
• Work with zonal coordinators to enhance collaboration with the private and public sector in promoting maternity entitlements
• Work with the Program Officer Communication to identify and document success stories
• Coordinate advocacy activities with other organizations in 12 states Track policy and budgetary landscape and changes in 12 states Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification and Requirements

• Master's degree (or bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years’ related experience) in Communications, behavioral sciences, health promotion, law or social science
• Bachelor's degree with 7-9 years’ experience in Communications, Behavioral Sciences, Health promotion, law or social sciences or in related field
• A minimum 5 years’ experience (in addition to education) in a senior capacity designing and implementing communications/advocacy programs
• Demonstrated fluency in English.
• Demonstrated experience working with government, NGOs and the public sector
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office and the Internet.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Ability to work independently, assess priorities and gaps, and manage a variety of activities
• Ability to develop advocacy strategies and programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to think creatively and strategically
• Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a team
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office and the Internet.

Remuneration
The following is a summary of fringe benefits provided by FHI 360 to eligible employees:

Core Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical plans (PPOs)
• Dental insurance
• Vision coverage
• Group life and AD&D insurance
• Health savings account
• Long-term disability
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Dependent life insurance
• Business travel insurance
• Supplemental personal accident insurance
• Supplemental disability
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick and parental leave
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Pension plan

Other benefits (will vary depending on work location):

• Public transportation program
• On-site fitness center
• Local credit union membership
• Health and wellness program
• Employee assistance program
• Qualified tuition programs (529 plans)
• Bicycle subsidy
• Legal assistance plan
• Pet insurance.