Communications Officer – RCCE (CGPP) Yobe State at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• The Communications Officer – RCCE will provide communications‑focused coordination and technical support to the CGPP project, with a specific emphasis on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE). The role will apply strategic communication, advocacy, and social mobilization approaches to support polio eradication and routine immunization objectives. Working closely with government counterparts, the CGPP Secretariat, and partner CBOs, the officer will ensure high‑quality communication, engagement, visibility, and documentation that contribute to improved community trust, vaccine uptake, and program learning.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Write, design and manage the production of creative and compelling communication and promotional materials, stories, photos, video, fact sheets, brochures, etc. for the project, targeted at various audiences, including the donor, local and national governments, local Church, partners, media and others as needed.
• Use and tailor agency messages tailored for each audience and identify and utilize effective distribution channels to disseminate communications materials to key audiences.
• As appropriate, create and adapt the project’s content for publication on social media, the agency newsletter and the CGPP secretariat.
• Support the dissemination of relevant information among personnel, partners, project participants, or other relevant actors within the agency.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local media and help identify opportunities to reach key audiences, and support other program staff in effective local media representation.
• Provide communications support for events, including signage, handouts, talking points, photos, liaising with media, etc., and liaise with local media, as appropriate, when CRS‑supported events take place.
• Support the creation of processes, manuals and training for CRS staff and partners on issues related to communications and promoting visibility for the project.
• Provide on‑site communication and RCEE-related technical support to CBO Partners, under the guidance of the Senior Project Officer and CGPP Secretariat Communications Lead to strengthen RCCE interventions, including advocacy efforts, compound meetings, community dialogues, and other engagement activities.
• Collaborate closely with government health agencies (MOH, PHCMB, Polio EOC), development partners, and stakeholders to process, analyze, and apply communication data for improving program activities across focal LGAs.
• Support the use of relevant public health and contextual data to inform and strengthen RCCE messaging and community engagement approaches.
• Work with the Project Officer-MEAL to contribute to the analysis and use of communication‑related data, ensuring compliance with reporting standards and accurate documentation of progress across indicators.
• Lead documentation and evidence generation on communication outcomes, including success stories, program evaluations, research activities, communication assessments, and case studies.
• Provide guidance on community feedback mechanisms, ensuring accurate communication appropriate communication responses to community concerns, misinformation, and rumors, and coordinating information flow with government and partners.
• Participate actively in program communication activities, including review meetings, campaigns, technical working groups, and other assignments as delegated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with relevant donor regulations and visibility requirements is an added advantage.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly In Design, and familiarity with canva are strongly desired.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, International Relations or a related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience supporting development or humanitarian projects.
• At least three years of professional experience in communications, preferably for an NGO or another organization in development and humanitarian programming. 
• Experience supporting health or immunization programs—particularly polio—will be an added advantage

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively disseminate to diverse target audiences using appropriate communication channels.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; knowledge of desktop publishing skills and basic design tools is required.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively without direct authority.
• Ability and desire to work effectively and respectfully with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders in cross‑cultural settings.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills, with sound judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and written/verbal communication skills, including cross-cultural settings
• Working knowledge of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM), and One Health concepts as applied to development programming.
• Strong relationship-management skills, with the ability to work closely with local partners, government counterparts, and community members.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct in accordance with professional and organizational standards.
• Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented and results-focused approach to work.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.