AAP and Communication Assistant Officer at Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa)

JOB SUMMARY

The Accountability to Affected Populations and Communication Assistant officer (AAP) is in charge of ensuring that accountability mechanisms are in place at GHIV Africa and that they are being implemented across all programs in order to meet GHIV Africa’s minimum accountability standards, particularly in terms of community engagement, which includes information sharing, beneficiaries' meaningful participation, and feedback and complaint handling. The Assistant AAP/Communication will be responsible for implementing and managing the organization’s Feedback and Response Mechanisms (FRM) process with the assistance of the MEAL team. Furthermore, working closely with the head of programs projects staff, and the MEAL Staff, the AAP/communication Assistant officer will contribute to the successful management of knowledge management and learning (KML) processes by incorporating lessons learned and best practices derived from AAP activities.

This position reports directly to the MEAL Manager.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Actively promote PSEA standards within GHIV Africa and among its beneficiaries.
• Help to build the organization's positive image and overall credibility by following the Code of Conduct,humanitarian principles, and the 7 Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) commitments.
• Assist the HR/MEAL Departments with the implementation of policies and procedures. And for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting AAP and CHS commitments respectively.
• Assist the MEAL team in adapting needs assessments and planning to be more inclusive of vulnerable and marginalized groups or appropriate key informants (women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other marginalized ethnic/social groups).
• Assist in the completion of additional AAP analyses/assessments, such as conducting stakeholder analysis; communication needs assessments, and/or community consultations.
• Work with the MEAL team to develop and test simple data collection tools based on AAP monitoringindicators.
• Ensure that AAP data is collected on a regular basis throughout the project cycle (not just at project mid and endpoints, enabling corrective action). • Assist in the development of a robust monitoring system for AAP initiatives.
• Encourage and incorporate considerations for the various needs of vulnerable groups, such as people of different genders, ages, and disability statuses, into all MEAL systems and activities.
• As needed, assist or lead in the implementation of gender analyses and gender assessments, including  data collection.
• Identify and use the best communication approaches based on community feedback and assessment data  to provide communities with relevant and actionable lifesaving information.
• Create tools and methodologies for sharing timely, accurate, and relevant information with communities on  a regular basis.
• Ensure that accountability processes are fully consistent with GHIV Africa AAP commitments, such asIASC CAAP, CHS, and the Sphere Humanitarian Charter.
• Take part in the regular solicitation and collection of beneficiary feedback on GHIV Africa’s activities and stated commitments.
• As part of monitoring, conduct regular checks to ensure that information shared with communities is  understood, relevant, and useful. Feedback and Response Mechanism in the Community.
• Assist the MEAL team with the implementation of methodologies for consulting communities on their preferences based on operational context.
• Assist the MEAL team in the design of CBFRM channels with community input to ensure they are safe, non-  threatening, and accessible to all (including women and men, boys and girls, and vulnerable andmarginalized groups).
• Perform routine quality checks on CBFRM database entries to ensure timely and accurate recording ofcommunity feedback and complaints, and re-educate GHIV Africa staff as needed.
• Maintain a central CBFRM database, analyze data for trends, and disseminate findings.
• Work closely with the MEAL department to support the development of basic data management tools to capture AAP lessons learned and best practices.
• Assist in the creation of a relevant database for tracking and documenting AAP activities (e.g., trainingcommunity sensitization and consultations).
• Assist in the creation of project-level AAP reporting and a data flow map.
• Support AAP components for internal and external evaluations, as well as community consultations, in order to analyze the performance of AAP mechanisms in projects.
• Assist in the preparation of AAP components for project evaluation.
• When evaluating AAP aspects, use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed data collection methods.
• Update and make report to MEAL department as time may be required, on a monthly basis
• In addition, any other tasks that you may be assigned.

Technical expertise, Skills, Knowledge, and competencies:

• A bachelor's degree in social sciences, public health, statistics, or international development is typically required, as is experience or background in MEAL and accountability to affected populations. As appropriate, an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted.
• Typically, 2+ years of practical experience with a humanitarian organization or working with refugees/IDPs in humanitarian settings is required.
• Understand key concepts and commitments related to accountability to affected populations (AAP), such as the IASC CAAP, Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), or other humanitarian quality management initiative.
• Understanding of quality management and accountability initiatives, codes of conduct, principles, and standards commonly used in the aid sector, including, but not limited to -The International Red Cross Movement and the NGO Code of Conduct in Disaster Relief -The Humanitarian Charter and ProtectionPrinciples of the Sphere Project -The Minimum Standards. Strong facilitation/presentation skills and/or   experience with community-level information Nutrition campaigns are required.
• Proven understanding of accountability mechanisms. 
• Fundamental understanding of MEAL processes (monitoring and evaluation).
• Must be computer literate with advanced skills in Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel, as well as Mobile Data Collection tools.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and analyze quantitative data,analytical and writing skills withattention to detail are required.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and listening skills, as well as the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and groups.
• Knowledge of data protection and confidentiality as part of data collection and management practices, as  well as the ability to respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Advanced English proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Advanced Nigerian working language proficiency (English) (Speaking – Reading – Writing).
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, keep calm under pressure, prioritize work, coordinate multiple tasks, and pay attention to detail
• Knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and internationally recognized child protection   standards.
• Experience working with internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, and other vulnerable populations
• Experience with participatory approaches to Health/Nutrition, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency  relief management, or a related field is preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving abilities, creativity, and adaptability
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, is at ease in a multi-cultural setting, is adaptable, and can handle  pressure well.