Project Officer at Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN)

Job Description

• The Project officer will contribute to CS-SUNN’s effort to influence and advocate for improved policy implementation and funding of nutrition at the national and sub-national levels of Nigeria.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Will contribute to the delivery of project objective and reports on CS-SUNN’s nutrition advocacy project on improving nutrition policies implementation and funding at the national level, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa states.
• The post holder will also be expected to contribute to the implementation of the wider
• CS-SUNN Nutrition Advocacy and campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a good knowledge of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes and key decision-making structures and how to influence them.
• Contribute to formulation of 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 in Nutrition.
• Contribute to all efforts to raise/nurture CSO coalition and champions for nutrition at the national and sub-national level.
• Build systems for research, analysis and documentation that underpin evidence-based advocacy and influencing at national and state level.
• Develop dissemination and communication strategies for key advocacy messages.
• Produce reports and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.
• 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.
• Represent CS-SUNN at various forums and advocacy opportunities as directed.
• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.
• Perform other tasks, as required and directed by the Project Director or Project Manager.

Knowledge, Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of B.Sc in Food and Nutrition Science; Public Health/Social Science or related field
• Knowledge of nutrition issues, accountability and, advocacy research/engagement
• Experience of drafting and presenting policy issues to a variety of audiences in a concise manner
• Experience in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
• Prior work experience in advocacy in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions with regard to Child Nutrition
• 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 and national
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
• Fluency in English language (written and verbal).
• Ability to work independently and manage various projects with limited supervision.