Jobs at Search for Common Ground (SFCG)

The Project

• In 2023, Nigerians will return to the polls to vote for a new president, following the two terms of President Muhammadu Buhari. Civil society’s participation will be critical to ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process. For many citizens, the 2019 elections represented a setback to the progress made in earlier polls, notably in 2015.
• Yiaga Africa’s pre-election and Election Day observation in 2019 highlighted a number of challenges that threatened the credibility of the process: the quality of election administration fell short of expectations; parties and their supporters engaged in vote-buying, hate speech, and violent acts to impede the electoral process; and voter turnout was at 35 percent, the lowest in two decades.
• Building on lessons learned from this past electoral process, the Consortium for Election and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), under this program represented by the National Democratic Institute (CEPPS/NDI), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (CEPPS/IFES), and CEPPS Associate Partner Search for Common Ground (Search), is embarking on a five-year program to further strengthen the engagement of Nigerian civil society in support of credible elections and democratic progress in the country.
• The program would enhance citizen observation and analysis in advance of, during, and after the 2023 elections cycle; increase participation of marginalized populations in the electoral process; and counter hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation while promoting civic education.

Position Summary

• Search for Common Ground seeks an early level professional, to provide logistical support to the project implementation team during trainings and meetings across project implementations states and locations.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and arrange all logistics for various meetings, and workshops, including invitations, venue, participants travel and accommodation;
• In collaboration with the project coordinator, facilitate the creation and implementation of a detailed annual work-plan, which identifies sequences of activities needed to successfully implement the project and ensure project objectives are met
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, facilitate the development and roll out of detailed implementation plans in communities and LGAs
• Review the project schedule with Project Coordinator and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise and regularly review the schedule as required.
• Document project activities and ensure that all project data is appropriately secured;
• Monitor the progress of the project implementation and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the project remains on track and is successfully implemented;
• Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project;
• In collaboration with M&E officer, assist with the implementation and development of Monitoring and Evaluation tools;
• Produce activity and monthly reports

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Arts, Development Studies or related field;

Required Experience:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in project cycle management, coordinating project activities, outreach, and/or advocacy;
• Experience working with CSOs, partners and faith based groups will be an added advantage;

Other Relevant Competencies:

• Accountability: Being accountable and passing on accountability for one's own actions and those of colleagues and the organization.
• Attention to detail: The ability to process detailed information effectively and consistently
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal - even when the object at stake is of no direct personal interest possibilities.
• Creativity: The ability to come up with original and innovative ideas and solutions, to adopt points of view outside the usual parameters.
• Focus on Quality: Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Learning Ability: The ability to absorb new information readily and to put it into practice effectively
• Adaptability: The ability to remain fully functional by adapting to changing circumstances (environment, procedures and people).

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Position Summary

• The Communications Coordinator will work with SFCG's management and program teams to develop and implement an effective communication strategy.
• S/he will focus on strengthening internal and external communications, including writing and editing publications such as briefs ,reports, newsletters, website; documenting success stories and case studies; and working with media to promote Search Nigeria and tell our story, build strategic relationships and provide direction for positive narratives.

Roles and Responsibilities
Communications - Social Media/Network engagement/Content production:

• Manage and produce written and visual/multimedia content and publications, including newsletters, bulletin, success stories, case studies for email, website, and social media networks to raise the visibility of Search Nigeria and ensure that our messaging is unified
• Capture photos and short video during project activities on the field and maintain library media ,
• Increase SFCG Nigeria’s online presence by growing its audience and increasing engagement through social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube.)
• Participate in key social media and Search-wide communications team meetings.
• Plan and manage projects that use photography, video, and/or other multimedia storytelling to support Search Nigeria’s work. Potential projects could include producing short web videos or infographics on timely issues, supervising design consultant work, and designing flyers.
• Explore other innovative channels to promote Search brands and projects and timely share of information to partners, donors and other key stakeholders.

Program Coordination:

• Develop and incorporate new communications tools and creative dissemination strategies to strengthen Search Nigeria’s programming.
• Provide communications support during outreach events e.g. producing materials, livestream on social media or coordinating a press conference for project activities in target states
• Keep track of current issues and strategies in peacebuilding to leverage opportunities for Search’s communications.
• Build the capacity of program teams and other staff in Search Nigeria HQ and field offices on communications policies, procedures and best practices; Search Nigeria brand, messages and values
• Communicate with target groups, communities, partners and stakeholders to understand and address the program’s end-user information and communications needs;

Communications - Media Relations:

• Develop and maintain relations with national and international media and coordinate with SFCG HQ in order to ensure maximum coverage of SFCG events and projects in Nigeria;
• Draft press releases and maintain accurate media databases.
• Track news coverage of Search Nigeria and its key issues.
• Prepare presentations and speeches for public events and manage stakeholders’ database and invitations;

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications , Journalism ,International Relations, Development Studies, Marketing or related field; Master’s Degree is a plus.

Required Experience

• 3-5 years of professional experience in outreach, communications for development, advocacy, social marketing,, media and public relations, and campaigning preferably with an I/NGO; 
• Experience in  commissioning, procuring, contracting, developing and producing marketing/campaign/advertising materials and products; good working knowledge of media buying will be an asset;
• Understanding of and experience in harnessing traditional and social media for awareness-raising and advocacy, social media savvy;

Other Relevant Requirements:

• Strong command of English language, with excellent written and oral communication skills 
• Excellent copywriting skills for social media and other digital platforms 
• Demonstrated ability Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,)
• Excellent knowledge of design programs such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop; knowledge of G Suite and Mailchimp.
• Excellent analytic skills and ability to produce high quality written materials for different audience;
• Creative writing, editing, photography, presentation, public speaking and active listening skills;
• Demonstrated proficiency in digital and print graphic design, layout and publishing
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to collaborate with multiple offices within an organization and interact with partners, contractors and other stakeholders at senior level.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate highly
• technical information to both expert and lay audiences, and achieve consensus on communications policy, project, research, and administrative matters.
• Proactive, creative, entrepreneurial and collaborative; ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace; and
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks, and be flexible with changing priorities.