Job Overview / Summary:

• The Advocacy, Policy and Communications Specialist will lead the development, alignment and implementation of the West and Central Africa region advocacy, policy and communication strategy, and provide strategic guidance and support to efforts at a country and regional level. The Specialist will be responsible for developing policy positions & advocacy plans across regional and sub-regional themes, overseeing internal & external communication needs for the region and strengthening the IRC’s position in regional and international fora. The Specialist will develop and implement activities to enhance principled humanitarian action; drive transformative, measurable improvement in the effectiveness of aid; and raise attention to the dynamics affecting communities in the region. They will strengthen collaboration with global colleagues to ensure that the regional context informs advocacy and policy positioning.

Major Responsibilities:

• Advocacy Strategy: In close alignment with global Advocacy and Influence team, lead advocacy strategy and messaging development and implementation for regional and country-level policy goals, developing global advocacy messaging, identifying, building and monitoring influential regional stakeholders, processes and relationships and supporting the influence efforts of Country Programs through field visits and/or virtual meetings where relevant. Facilitate the implementation of regional, country-specific and global advocacy strategies, including developing plans to reach relevant audiences and advocacy targets, including power mapping and tactical planning.
• Develop an enabling environment for priority programme interventions Support IRC’s efforts to scale the most impactful programmatic interventions by crafting strategies to overcome political and policy barriers to their deployment nationally, regionally and globally.
• Policy Engagement and Agenda-Setting: Develop regional and country-specific policy agendas, in collaboration with internal and external experts, that advance IRC global policy priorities, respond to identified challenges in the humanitarian/development sectors and are aligned with S100 and one another. Develop analysis and position papers to inform advocacy work for the region and globally where relevant.
• Communications Strategy: Oversee the development and maintenance of the IRC regional communications strategy, in line with IRC’s brand and principles of the humanitarian community, by the Regional Communications Coordinator.
• Publications: Oversee production of polished and accessible external reports to inform key audiences about project activities and the needs of displaced people in the region and to influence policy decisions. Contribute to press releases and lead sign-off of relevant regional products, ensuring the accuracy and quality of information before dissemination.
• Internal Collaboration: Facilitate mechanisms to ensure sharing of information and analysis, and alignment of policy/advocacy messaging and positioning across country programs, the regional office and global headquarters. Serve as the primary point of contact for influence in the region. Ensure that information about the IRC’s response activities in the region are disseminated to regional and HQ staff as appropriate.
• External engagement: Engage in regional and national dialogues with key policymakers and stakeholders to pursue country, regional and global advocacy priorities. Maintain active working relationships with external national, regional and global stakeholders including other INGOs, UN Agencies, think tanks, analysts and community-based organizations.
• Spokesperson: Act as an IRC spokesperson, providing briefings on the situation in the sub-regional contexts to key internal and external stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, journalists, and donors. Engage with international and regional media to pitch stories about IRC’s response, advocacy priorities and partnerships, resulting in high-quality, top-tier coverage.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Deputy Regional Director
• Position indirectly reports to:   Policy and advocacy team.
• Position supervisors: Regional Communications Coordinator and technically supports the country-based advocacy colleagues
• Key internal relationships: RVP, Country Directors and Deputy Director Programs, Global Advocacy, Policy and Communications colleagues, and relevant subject matter experts including Regional Technical Leads, Safety, Security and Humanitarian access colleagues etc.
• Key external relationships: Regional and national advocacy fora, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, FONGA (INGO regional coordination body).

Requirements

Education:

• Degree in Law, Government, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or related discipline.
• Fluency in French & English is essential both oral and written.

Work experience:

• 6-8 years of experience working on humanitarian, development and/or foreign policy issues. At least two years of experience living and working overseas, preferably in West Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and communications efforts in relevant contexts with a focus on creativity and strategic thinking.

Demonstrated skills and competencies:

• Excellent research and writing skills and the ability to translate complex material and data into coherent narratives.
• Excellent networking, interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills and an ability to cultivate and maintain a personal network of sources and contacts.
• Knowledge of humanitarian system and assistance, blockages to humanitarian access and solutions to protracted displacement, particularly in the West Africa context including the Central Sahel region.
• Understanding of international relief and development issues and sector decision making processes, and the political landscape informing them, such as the role of international stakeholders, including national governments, regional institutions, the UN, donors, multilateral development banks etc.
• Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate successfully in easily understandable language with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to think strategically and work quickly and effectively under pressure, including the ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Proactive and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Culturally sensitive - able and interested in working with a multi-diverse team.

Working Environment: 

Standard office work environment and/or remote work. Up to 20% travel required.

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Background and Context

• Nigeria faces a significant displacement crisis, with over 3.6 million people forcibly displaced, more than half of whom are children. Despite Nigeria being a top global recipient of ECD funding, limited investment is directed toward early learning and responsive caregiving in crisis settings. With support from the Bainum Family Foundation, MMA is launching a three-year initiative to respond to this gap by supporting a locally led national coalition to advance policies, systems, and financing for children affected by crises. Increasing the quality of collaboration and coordinated advocacy on early childhood development in crisis on a national level and between diverse stakeholders is essential to avoid duplication, enhance support structures, and ultimately improve outcomes for children in crisis. By leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders in Nigeria, the sector can build a stronger, unified voice to advocate for quality, holistic ECD in crisis to contribute to changes in policy, financing, and leadership so that support for young children and families in Nigeria, especially the ones affected by crises, is provided in an equitable, sustainable, holistic, and comprehensive manner.

Purpose of this consultancy:

• As a global alliance, MMA’s new strategy focuses on supporting local to global ECD in crisis advocacy. MMA believes that to sustainably support young children and families affected by crisis and displacement, the partners with lived experience of crisis and displacement must lead the change for policy and financing decisions that affect their lives. Local and refugee leaders in Nigeria are the closest to the affected communities and would ensure that all relevant policies, and funding is tailored to their communities’ priorities and needs. The National Coordinator will be the primary engine for the Nigeria coalition, developing and testing a replicable model for national-level coalition building. This role is for a changemaker experienced in working with diverse actors, shaping partnerships that shift mindsets and priorities at a systems level, while being comfortable with multi-level power dynamics.
• The national coordinator will support in developing and coordinating a new, strong ECD in crisis advocacy coalition built on dynamic relationships with strategic clarity and important diversity of stakeholders of government, LLOs, RLOs, private sector, UN, INGOs and academic representatives.

Objectives:

• The National Coordinator who will serve as a consultant will coordinate a National Advocacy Coalition for Early Childhood in crisis in Nigeria. Aligned with the overall coalition goals and aims, key objectives for the consultancy include:
• Establishing the coalition: Coordinate, support and guide the coalition members including refugee-led (RLOs) and locally led organizations (LLOs), state and national government, UN, INGOs, and private sector representatives to work together towards shared advocacy goals. Strategic Resource Mobilization: Support the coalition to build an investment case for ECD-in-crisis to secure domestic and private-sector financing, including advocating for a National ECD in crisis Fund that prioritises local and refugee ECD in crisis organisations. Policy Integration: Lead coalition advocacy efforts to integrate ECD into national emergency preparedness frameworks, development budgets, and inter-governmental coordination through working with the Nigerian government to establish a technical working group and include age crisis segregated data in the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) tracking systems.

Scope of Work and Deliverables:

• The national coordinator consultant will be responsible for supporting the National Nigeria coalition to develop, implement, and achieve its future advocacy strategy, and for developing the structure and processes underpinning the work. In addition, the successful candidate will oversee external coalition communications, campaign and monitor and pursue key developments and opportunities that align with the coalition’s objectives.
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• This role comes with considerable autonomy in shaping and implementing the work. The national coordinator will report to the Moving Minds Alliance’s Senior Engagement Manager and will receive support from the Education Coordinator, and Advocacy & Communications Coordinator at IRC Nigeria, based in Maiduguri, with frequent travel to Abuja.
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• The consultant is expected to deliver the following over three years (these are suggested activities; it is expected that the coordinator consultant will develop these further in their role):
• Phase 1: Foundation & Coalition Seeding (March 2026 – December 2026)
• Focus: Establishing governance, formalizing the core group, and setting the strategic direction.
• Establishment & Governance: Recruit and onboard core members (including RLOs/LLOs); mobilize and set up the Steering Committee and Subcommittees; develop the official Coalition Terms of Reference. Strategic Mapping: Conduct a stakeholder gap analysis and prioritize new organizational memberships; begin recruitment of members with specific expertise in fundraising, government advocacy and public comms. Operational Setup: Implement platforms for communication and knowledge sharing; facilitate and support regular coalition and sub-committee meetings. Strategy Development: supported by the MMA Sr manager, co-develop the multi-year Advocacy Strategy and Workplan based on domestic finance analysis and national consultative meetings in consultation with the steering committee, coalition members. Plan for the first national advocacy engagement in the impact summit in Nigeria (summer 2026) working towards Act for the Early Years Summit early Jan 2027.

Year 1 Deliverables:

• Finalized Governance Structure and coalition Terms of Reference. Comprehensive stakeholder map and recruitment plan. Draft Multi-Year advocacy strategy. Advocacy & engagement plan for the Impact Financial Summit in Nigeria leading to AFEY summit in Jan 2027

Phase 2: Momentum & Campaign Launch (January 2027 – December 2027)

• Focus: Activating the advocacy strategy, launching public-facing platforms, and driving policy engagement.
• Campaign Execution: with the support of MMA comms manager, oversee the national communications campaign planning and launch; collaborate with the REACH Network of journalists and media influencers.
• Digital Infrastructure: Launch the coalition website and social media channels; initiate the quarterly internal newsletter.
• Policy Advocacy: Develop the Locally Owned Investment Case (aligned with the "Act for the Early Years" global campaign); maintain a calendar of national/regional advocacy moments.
• Relationship Management: Build alliances with ECD sector organizations; engage high-level champions within member organizations with drafted messaging and talking points.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Implement MEL tracking against strategy indicators with the support of MMA’s Knowledge Management Lead.

Year 2 Deliverables:

• Final report on coalition outcomes engaging in impact summit 2026, and financial summit in Jan 2027
• Three year calendar of national and regional relevant advocacy engagements,events and key moments
• National Communications Campaign Launch.
• The "Nigeria ECD in Crisis" Investment Case.
• Active Digital Platforms (Website/Social Media).

Phase 3: Scaling, Impact & Documentation (January 2028 – December 2028)

• Focus: Sustaining policy influence, filling knowledge gaps, and codifying the model for replication.
• Strategy Refinement: Review and refine operations to optimize alignment; continue overseeing strategy implementation and filling identified gaps. Knowledge Management: Identify evidence gaps and lead the publication process (conception to dissemination) for coalition research with the support from MMA’s Knowledge Management Lead. External Supervision: support the management of external contractors hired to support specialized technical work in Nigeria. Sustainability & Replication: Support the MMA team in documenting lessons learned into a "Coalition Playbook" to facilitate replication in other fragile contexts. Reporting: Prepare comprehensive materials for the Annual Report and final impact assessment of the three-year cycle.

Year 3 Deliverables:

• Reviewed coalition strategy and operational structure Published Coalition Research/Evidence Papers. Final "Coalition Playbook" for Global Replication. Three-Year Impact & MEL Summary Report.

Ongoing Responsibilities (2026–2028)

• Meeting Facilitation: Ongoing coordination of sub-committees, steering committee quarterly meetings and full coalition meetings in person and online. Context Monitoring: Continuous tracking of early childhood developments in crisis contexts within Nigeria and West Africa. Member Relations: Maintaining deep understanding of member priorities and strengths to ensure role alignment, synergies and efficiency. External engagement: Maintaining formal representation of the Coalition and MMA in Nigeria, with continuous building of ECD in crisis champions nationally. Global meeting participation: Attending Project team meeting monthly

Consultant Requirements:

• To be successful for this opportunity, applicants must have:
• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in advocacy, public policy, international affairs or another relevant field Substantial (8+ years) experience in working with diverse entities on multiple levels (INGO, UN, Government, private sector, local organization, refugee organizations) in humanitarian and development sectors. Prior experience working with networks/coalitions is desirable. Substantial experience of project coordination and strategic decision making skills Strong knowledge of regional, national and local stakeholders / networks in the field of early childhood development in emergencies / child rights / humanitarian and development sectors, including ideally domestic and international humanitarian and development donors based in Nigeria. Excellent communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to effectively engage high level stakeholders (high-level government representatives, donor agency executives, etc.) in addition to refugee led and locally led organization representatives. Having trauma-informed training is desirable. Excellent ability to write reports, presentations, briefs, and knowledge products for dissemination.
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• 7.To Apply:

• Interested consultants should submit the following:
• A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A cover letter answering these three questions:
• Please provide one example of an outcome / result of advocacy efforts that you are proud of. What was your role in achieving this result?
• What are three important values you would embody as the lead of the Nigeria ECD in crisis advocacy coalition and why?
• What are two concrete learnings/insights from leading coalitions and/or advocacy or communication efforts for a multi-stakeholder partnership in the humanitarian sector that you would bring to the national coalition in Nigeria?
• What are the steps you will take as the National Coalition Coordinator to ensure engagement and advocacy on a state level? (Mainly in Benue, Borno, Cross River, Katsina) ?
• A brief proposal (3 pages max) outlining their approach to this long-term coordinator role, including activities, deliverables, timelines, and a budget with reference to day rate and preferred payment structure. The allocation is in the region of $24,000 across three-years for this role.

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Job Overview/Summary

• Under the supervision of Health Manger, the Senior Health Officer (RH Medical Doctor) will be responsible for all technical aspect of the health projects in the Mubi axis (Michika and Madagali LGAs) while also supporting Yola axis and is expected to ensure integrity, high level transparency and commitment in the implementation of the project. He or she is responsible for overseeing all primary healthcare including reproductive health care activities for IRC supported health facilities in the supported LGAs. The Senior Health Officer will oversee and supervise Health Officers and Community Outreach Officer and report to the Sector through the Health Manager.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• The senior health officer shall be responsible for the supervision and day-to-day management of health activities within Michika and Madagali LGAs and provide support to Yola and Numan LGAs.
• Apply medical knowledge and skills to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment according to national guidelines and protocols, including management of emergencies and complications and ensure patient follow-up as needed.
• The senior health officer will identify need for referral to secondary care and prepare the patient for referral including referral notes, pre-referral treatment and arrangement of transport.
• S/he will provide on-the-job support to the health staff, including training and skills development as needed.
• In coordination with the Health Manager identify opportunities to strengthen the health program.
• Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
• Ensure adherence to infection prevention and control within and around the facilities.
• In coordination with the Health Manager, identify opportunities to strengthen the health program.
• Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
• Participate in and support health officers, community outreach officer and community structures in activities that aim to increase women’s RH awareness and service utilization.

Program Development

• Contribute to design, planning, and drafting new proposals.
• Contribute to donors’ reporting whenever necessary.
• In collaboration with Health Manager, develop an expenditure plan, review budget vs. actual expenditure, and grant performance on a quarterly basis and take necessary actions.
• Ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports, weekly reports, work plan including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.

• Monitor and supervise the IRC health staff and ensure that work is done properly and efficiently according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Develop ongoing education programs for health staff and conduct training and on-the-job training for health staff.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of health staff and assist in determining and implementing solutions.
• Determine personnel needs for field-level activities, and in coordination with the Health Manager and Human Resources Lead assist in recruitment of staff.
• Monitor staff daily attendance at duty posts and ensure time sheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Conduct data quality audit in collaboration with the M&E and checkmate data quality.
• Monitor closely the morbidity and mortality trends together with all the other health indicators to ensure that prompt actions are taken.
• Provide weekly activity reports to the Health Manager.
• Attend meetings concerning overall health program issues.
• Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way that increases overall impact of health program at the community level.

Coordination & Representation

• Represent the program to Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required
• In coordination with the Health Manager actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders with government actors, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Attending all relevant meetings in relation to the health program as may be required and feed in the IRC priorities during meetings.
• Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors such as Women Protection & Empowerment, Child Protection, Protection and Rule of law and Environmental Health to ensure holistic service package is available in response to the needs.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Health Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Health Coordinator, Senior Program Manager – Health Outcome, Senior RH Manager

Position directly Supervises: Health Officers, Community Outreach Officer

Key Internal Contacts

• Country Program: Field Coordinator, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager, EH/WasH Manager, Nutrition Manager
• Region/Global:

Key External Contacts: NGO partners, ADSPHCDA, LGA and Community Stakeholders

Job Requirements

Education:

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery from a recognized institution, with strong public Health background, master’s in public health is an added advantage

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years post NYSC experience in clinical medicine and public health.
• Experience in supervising health staff at the primary health care level
• Previous experience in health programs and NGO experience is preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Preferably trained in Basic (and Comprehensive) Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, iCCM, EPI etc

Demonstrated Technical Skills

• Good communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery
• Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Good sense of integrity, service and accountability

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies

• Oversee the implementation of quality PHC/SRH program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in the targeted areas.
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Develop ongoing education programs for health staff and conduct training and on-the-job training for health.
• Support planning and implementing of the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality health services
• Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets in each LGA.
• Conduct periodic analysis of progress of the health projects at the LGA level and promote learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt through documentation
• Identifying program gaps in the supported health facilities services with immediate solution for further necessary steps to address those gaps.
• Provide capacity building and on-job coaching to Facility staff on Antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, family planning counseling, STI counseling and treatment and post-abortion care in supported facilities.
• In line with the communication strategies, ensure visibility of the project and project strategies at field level
• Support collection of stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.

Languages

• Fluent in written/spoken English
• Ability to speak local languages Hausa will be added advantage