Field and Community Engagement Officer at Better Hope Foundation

Job Purpose

• The Field and Community Engagement Officer will act as the primary liaison between the project team, stakeholders and target communities.
• This role focuses on mobilizing participants, fostering trust, and ensuring inclusive participation in training sessions. 
• The officer will address cultural barriers, coordinate with local leaders, and ensure the project aligns with community needs.

Key Responsibilities
Community Mobilization:

• Conduct outreach to livestock farmers in selected LGAs, ensuring awareness of training schedules and benefits.
• Collaborate with local leaders (e.g., village heads, women’s groups) to build trust and encourage participation.

Inclusivity:

• Actively recruit women, youth, and marginalized groups to ensure equitable access to training.
• Address cultural or social barriers (e.g., gender norms, literacy gaps) through tailored communication strategies.

Training Support:

• Assist in organizing and facilitating training sessions, ensuring alignment with community needs.
• Ensure participant comply with time, process and procedures through out the training session.
• Gather participant feedback during/after sessions to identify challenges and improve program delivery.

Conflict Resolution:

• Mediate disputes or misunderstandings between community members and project staff.
• Report community concerns to the Project Manager and propose solutions.

Documentation:

• Maintain records of community interactions, attendance, and feedback.
• Support the M&E Specialist in tracking participation demographics (e.g., gender, age).

Advocacy:

• Promote the adoption of occupational health and safety practices post-training through follow-up visits.
• Highlight success stories to inspire broader community buy-in.

Qualifications
Education:

• Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Agriculture, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years in community engagement, preferably in rural or agricultural projects.
• Proven ability to work with diverse groups (women, youth, traditional leaders).

Skills:

• Fluency in Hausa and/or Kanuri (essential).
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Familiarity with Yobe State’s cultural and socio-economic context.
• Technical: Proficiency in basic data collection tools (e.g., mobile surveys).

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience in livestock farming or occupational health projects.
• Ability to ride a motorcycle for travel to remote communities (if applicable).
• Knowledge of participatory approaches (e.g., focus group discussions).