Policy and Advocacy Officer - Lagos at Save The Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

Under the guidance of the ACSM Coordinator, the PAO will contribute to the development of ACSM strategy for the project and be responsible for field implementation of advocacy activities as captured in the ACSM strategy and workplan, with focus on approaches targeting governance-related barriers to immunization and other determinants of zero-dose and under-immunization of children. S/he will support the ACSM Coordinator to implement innovations in the mobilization of resources, accountability, and coordination functions of Government (state and local government authorities) in the health sector with the aim of creating enabling policy environment and improving funding for immunization service delivery. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Quality

• Contribute to the planning, costing and implementation of ACSM components of the project and contribute to the overall key programme planning, coordination and reporting activities.
• Support the ACSM Coordinator in documenting success stories and contribute to the writing of reports, case studies, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences as relevant.
• In collaboration with the MEAL coordinator, support the ACSM Coordinator in collecting data and analyzing the progress of project’s ACSM activities.
• Use and adhere to available implementation technical documents (ToRs, tools, SoPs, training manuals, guidelines, and protocols) assiduously to ensure programs are of high quality and comply with the country, SCI standards and best practices. 
• Actively contribute to the process of learning, evaluation, capturing and disseminating lessons from the programme for continuous improvement of programme performance and overall outcome

Advocacy 

• As part of the ACSM strategy, contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy approach, exploring governance-related barriers to immunization service uptake such as strengthening coordination and increasing domestic funding for immunization activities at all levels. 
• Supports the training and supervision of PHC health workers and community volunteers in the areas of community mobilization, counselling and effective interpersonal communication.  
• Contribute to the preparation of advocacy materials and messages to facilitate the advancement of immunization service uptake in under-served communities.
• Develop good knowledge of LGA and community structures and how to influence them. 
• Work with pressure groups and champions (including children and youth groups to promote a coalition-led budget advocacy at legislative and executive bodies for increased domestic investment in immunization, - 
• Contribute to the mapping of stakeholders and dissemination of existing tools for budget tracking and coordinate budget advocacy and tracking amongst partner organisations and institutions.
• Keep abreast of the external political and policy environment and create the right opportunities for engagement and influencing.

Safeguarding

• Support safeguarding team in carrying out safeguarding risk assessment and develop a mitigation plan when needed.
• Flag safeguarding concerns noticed during programme implementation as well as share good practices identified in the field.
• Ensure that all children and programme beneficiaries are provided with ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Save the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in the social or behavioural sciences, public health, health education, health promotion, development studies, development economics, rural development/sociology or other related fields. 
• Any training on Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization be an added advantage
• Minimum of 3 year-experience in health financing, health governance, enhanced voice and accountability or similar roles,
• Fluency in English language. Knowledge of local languages (Lagos-Yoruba and Kano-Hausa) will be an added advantage
• Ability to be proactive when required to be able to keep advocacy plans dynamic and aligned to new policy and political developments
• Ability to clearly communicate and easily relate to state, LGA and community authorities 
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s commitment to protect children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.