Jobs at Smiling Hearts Initiatives International

Job Type:6 Months with possibility of extension

Smiling Hearts initiatives international is a humanitarian non-governmental, non profit organization founded in Nigeria, Borno state Maiduguri and has been in operation since 2016 as Zumunchi Hearts Initiatives International before its official registration with CAC on 10th October 2018 as Smiling Hearts Initiatives International. Smiling Hearts Initiatives International work with the aim of saving and improving people lives, in Nigeria and the world at large, in response to Humanitarian needs and challenges, in the Northeast of Nigeria focusing in the sector of Education, Protection, WASH, CCCM, Livelihood, Health, Shelter, Psycho-social support, NFI, Food security/GFD in the area of operations

Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of multipurpose cash assistance, ensuring high-quality data collection and reporting in line with Smiling Hearts Initiatives International standards, and maintaining strong partnerships with communities and key stakeholders
• Lead community engagement, beneficiary targeting, registration, financial service provider procurement and supervision, cash disbursement, and market monitoring to ensure transparent, accountable, and effective MPCA delivery
• Manage program data collection, documentation, and reporting, contribute to learning and coordination processes, and ensure internal and external compliance with SHI International procedures
• Strengthen collaboration with government authorities, cash coordination platforms, humanitarian partners, and community structures to ensure acceptance, effective coordination, and smooth program implementation

Qualification and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in the field of economics, social sciences, or agricultural economics, with at least 2-3 years of experience in connection with MPCA
• Strong communication skills, including proficiency in the local dialect (preferably Hausa and English), are a core criterion
• Ability to work effectively with local governments, align with SHI values and standards, and cope in stressful or hostile environments, including travelling to deep field locations and conducting partner visits
• Qualified candidates currently based in Katsina or with Katsina State of Origin will be prioritized
• Consideration will be given to internal candidates whose project has ended with SHI
• To promote inclusion, we advise applicants from both genders and people with disabilities to apply for this position.

Please note: 

Consideration will be given to internal candidates whose projects have ended.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. SHI reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

SHI has a PSEA Policy that the successful candidate will be expected to comply with and promote.

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Job Type: 6 Months with possibility of extension 

Role Purpose

Reporting in to the National Coordinator who provides overall leadership, coordination, and accountability for the ECHO funded -Project, with primary responsibility for MPCA delivery and oversight of integrated WaSH programming in Borno and Katsina states. Protection will be mainstreamed across all components.

The role leads consortium implementation with Smiling Hearts Initiative (SHI),will ensures compliance with DG ECHO requirements, and upholds Christian Aid’s localisation, safeguarding, and accountability commitments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, monitoring, and management of MPCA programming, including transfer value setting, targeting approaches, and market monitoring.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance of WaSH interventions.
• Adapt programme strategies based on context changes, market monitoring, and security analysis.
• Provide technical and managerial oversight to SHI as implementing partner.
• Ensure effective coordination across two distinct operational contexts (Borno and Katsina), adapting delivery models accordingly. Coordinate joint work planning, reviews, and capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Ensure effective collaboration, role clarity, and localisation commitments within the consortium.
• Ensure full compliance with DG ECHO contractual, financial, visibility, and reporting requirements.
• Lead preparation and submission of high quality narrative and financial reports.
• Maintain robust risk management, fraud prevention, and audit ready documentation.
• Oversee baseline, PDM, outcome monitoring, and market monitoring systems.
• Ensure Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), complaints and feedback mechanisms, and learning integration.
• Use evidence to inform adaptive management and donor reporting.
• Represent SHI working groups, and coordination forums at state and national levels.
• Maintain effective relationships with local authorities, donors, and humanitarian partners.

Qualification and Experience:

• Postgraduate degree in Development, Humanitarian Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing humanitarian programmes.
• At least 4–5 years of experience managing MPCA programmes in Nigeria.
• Demonstrable experience managing ECHO-funded projects at Programme Manager level.
• Working knowledge of WaSH programming sufficient for technical oversight.
• Strong experience in cash and voucher assistance (MPCA) and consortium management.
• Proven knowledge of MEAL systems, safeguarding, donor compliance, and risk management.
• Highly developed analytical skills, problem-solving ability and report writing skills.    

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Borno and Katsina coordination systems (clusters, SEMA).
• Experience with localisation approaches and partner capacity strengthening.
• He/she should have good knowledge of Hausa/ Kanuri.      

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Summary

The post-holder will lead the design, activation, and management of the Rapid Response and Referral Mechanism (RRRM), ensuring timely, adaptive, and high-quality response across Borno and Katsina.

The role leads consortium implementation with Smiling Hearts Initiative (SHI), ensures compliance with DG ECHO requirements, and upholds localisation, safeguarding, and accountability commitments

Key Responsibilities

• Support implementation of MPCA activities including beneficiary communication, targeting, registration, distributions, and post-distribution follow-up
• Lead WaSH interventions such as water point rehabilitation, solar-powered systems, hygiene promotion, and maintenance activities
• Coordinate with Financial Service Providers for digital cash delivery
• Work with local partners and community structures for safe and inclusive delivery
• Facilitate community sensitization, feedback, and complaints mechanisms
• Ensure protection mainstreaming across all activities and referral pathways
• Support baseline surveys, post-distribution monitoring, and market assessments
• Maintain accurate records, distribution lists, and monitoring data
• Use digital tools such as KoboToolbox/ODK and mobile money systems
• Contribute to weekly and monthly reports
• Uphold safeguarding, PSEA, and data protection standards
• Participate in coordination meetings with local authorities and stakeholders
• Report security incidents and operational risks promptly
• Ensure compliance with organizational and donor requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development, Public Health, or related field
• 4–5 years humanitarian program implementation experience
• Strong WaSH programming experience
• Experience in emergency or rapid response systems
• Experience in cash programming and protection activities
• Familiarity with digital data collection tools and mobile money systems
• Strong community engagement and field monitoring skills
• Ability to work in insecure and remote environments
• Knowledge of Hausa is an advantage
• Experience in Northern Nigeria (Borno/Katsina) is desirable

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Borno and Katsina coordination systems (clusters, SEMA).
• Experience with referral systems (protection, health, nutrition).
• Experience with localisation approaches and partner capacity strengthening.
• Working knowledge of Hausa and/or Kanuri.     

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Job Type: 6 Months with possibility of extension

Role Purpose

The Protection Assistant will support in implementing gender-sensitive community-level protection activities, protection monitoring, and information dissemination for managing information and relevant professional standards in protection work

Key Outcomes

• Ensure the delivery of protection activities in the Humanitarian response
• Undertake regular field visits with the Small Holder Farmer and FSL teams to identify and address, along with the sectorial teams.
• Prepare for and organize community consultations and community-based orientation sessions, in coordination with other partners
• Participates in developing and updating the mapping of services for threats and abuses (including GBV) that IDPs and Host Community members face in SHI areas of operation
• Lead and supervise assessment teams during thematic surveys, needs assessment and data collection for protection-related research
• With support of the Protection Officer, follow-up with humanitarian actors about requests and invitations for community sessions
• Monitors protection issues affecting IDPs and host population in areas of operation
• Support the teams to strategize, plan for and ensure appropriate integration and mainstreaming of protection through all programme activities
• With support from SHI Protection Officer, develop and update relevant Information, Education and Communication tools (leaflets, brochures, posters etc.)
• Coordinate and organize regular internal mapping of services available in the area of intervention
• Working in Support of SHI Protection Officer to develop safe programming and conflict-sensitive approaches to the humanitarian response
• In collaboration with the Protection Officer, ensure program staff are fully trained on existing referral systems and relevant SOPs
• Facilitate referral of protection issues to relevant service providers.
• Conduct awareness raising and sensitization of relevant Protection messages and beneficiary’s rights
• Assist in any other related matters necessary for the execution of the project

Role Context

• The Protection Assistant will carry out all Protection activities and will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the various protection activities in the field locations under his/her responsibility under the supervision of Protection Officer.
• She/he will also coordinate local communities, in close coordination with SHI’s Protection Officer and field teams.

Analytical Skills:

• Works on complex issues. Problems and issues, risks and benefits may have implications across several project components.
• Required to develop new ways of doing things to better meet program goals requiring creative or analytical ability.

Qualification and Experience:

• University Degree in a relevant discipline (Law, Political Science, Social Science, Psychology or any other relevant education profile),
• Experience, 2 years working with communities in humanitarian / development contexts.
• Capacity and willingness to reside in the field location assigned to and regularly travel to other field locations where SHI operates
• Very good interpersonal skills, particularly in networking, working with communities, local civil society and local authorities.
• Good understanding and knowledge in application of do no harm, conflict sensitivity principles and IASC standards and ethics for protection work.
• Good understanding of protection concerns, including GBV issues in displacement, human rights, and international humanitarian law
• Understanding of monitoring processes, learning, adaptation and evaluation
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English, Hausa and Kanuri
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action and to SHI’s equal opportunity and gender policies
• Excellent skills of using Microsoft word, power point and excel
• Considerable knowledge and experience in Child Protection is an added advantage.

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Job Type: 6 Months with possibility of extension Contract

ROLE PURPOSE:

To support implementation of cash disbursement for ECHO funded SHI project in Kankia, Danboa LGA of Borno State, Nigeria. More specifically, the CVA Assistant will work closely with the Multi purpose cash officer to ensure project deliverables are met on time and within acceptable quality standards. S/he is principally responsible for the field implementation of the SHI cash disbursement project including community sensitization on the project objectives, beneficiary selection criteria and on the intended use of the received cash. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Responsibilities:
Programme Support (typically will be at field level):

• Assist the MPCA in the planning and implementation of CVA activities, including Cash Transfers (physical cash).
• Contribute to developing activity work plans in line with the project’s detailed implementation plan.
• Work closely with community mobilization team to ensure that program implementation is responsive to community needs, meets targets, and is carried out in line with best practices.
• Integrate community approaches, protection mainstreaming, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program filing system is in place, adheres to internal and donor regulation and filing is regularly maintained.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to map, identify and register program participants.
• Together with the community mobilization team, ensure that project participants are properly sensitized on the project objectives and key deliverables.
• Supervise Enumerators during post distribution monitoring and cash distribution.
• Ensure effective community engagement to create enabling environment and ownership.
• Submit weekly program update including success stories to the MPCA officer.
• Identify emerging issues related to the programme and make recommendation for further solution.
• With support from the Accountability team, ensure accountability is enforced in all project activities as well as ensuring that feedback from children and their families is considered in project design/implementation.
• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter.

Capacity Building:

• Supervise, hire, and orient team members, as necessary.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building are incorporated into program planning.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Integrity:

• Honest, openness and transparency.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2 year experience in humanitarian/development work
• B.SC in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, or its equivalent in any related field of study.
• Previous experience of project management and implementation of cash transfer component of humanitarian and/or development projects.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Relevant working experience in cash transfer programming, including report writing.
• Academic qualification in Economics, Business Administration, or other related fields
• Previous experience of project management and implementation
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation
• Experience of training and staff capacity building
• Ability to write clear assessment and project reports.
• Excellent communication skills
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.

Desirable

• High level of communication in a local language related to working environment (Kanuri and Hausa).
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and social protection programming.

Method of Application

ONLY applicants whose competencies meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.

Application Deadline: apply not later than Tuesday, 12th May 2026 at 12:00 PM. 

Please note: 

Consideration will be given to internal SHI candidates whose projects have ended

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. SHI reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

SHI has a PSEA Policy that the successful candidate will be expected to comply with and promote.

Interested and qualified? Send your CV and cover letter in one PDF document to admin@shiinternational.org to apply

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Job Type: 6 Months with possibility of extension

Role Purpose

The role holder will support SHI’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, ensuring

MEAL activities is effectively implemented across SHI projects in the humanitarian sector.

He/ she will work closely with the MEAL officer by ensuring effective implementation of the Multipurpose cash Assistant project across all location.

He/she will will assist in the implementation and monitoring of SHI’s MEAL activities, by providing effective and timely support as required. 

Responsibilities: 

• Support the development and strengthening of Monitoring and Evaluation systems to allow for effective, accurate reporting for project implementation and decision making.
• Encourage active knowledge management and organizational learning needs using Monitoring and Evaluation findings
• Positive relationships developed with partners/volunteers through effective communication.
• Information provided for production of reports for institutional donors, project files maintained, supporter visits and team meetings facilitated and supported.
• Ensuring Humanitarian projects are accountable to all stakeholders
• Ensure CFM structures are established and functional throughout humanitarian projects.

Qualification and Experience:

• First Degree in Social Sciences or related fields
• 2 – 3 years of experience of working in humanitarian response with NNGO/INGO
• Good knowledge of the use of application of statistical analysis tools such Microsoft Excel
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Good reporting and writing skills in English.
• Knowledge and use of mobile data collection technology such as Kobo, ODK, e.t.c.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Packages.
• Hands-on experience in monitoring and supporting community-based development programme.
• She/he have at least 2 years of humanitarian response experience in leading MEAL programming.
• Ability to communicate fluently in Hausa and English language.

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Job Type: 6 Months with possibility of extension 

Summary

The WASH Project Assistants will be responsible for implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene activities and support Hygiene Promoters in the Project Implementation Communities under the ECHO Funded Project.

He/She will ensure and execute all field WASH activities such as beneficiary and water point selection, water point upgrading process monitoring, distribution of Hygiene kits, provision of Hygiene promotion training and any other task related to the project.

The Project Assistant will also be involved in the implementation of integrated projects.

Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Programme officer and in collaboration with the project MEAL team, the WASH Project Assistant will accomplish the following:

• Plan and Conduct WASH needs Assessment and KAP Surveys.
• Selection and Registration of beneficiaries.
• Training and Supervision of Community based Hygiene Promoters.
• Support Hygiene Promoters on awareness raising through house-to-house visits and distribution of IEC materials.
• Establishment of Solid waste management system at implementing communities.
• Technical assessment of Handpump boreholes and supervision of borehole upgrade works.
• Supervise the Construction of household latrines and solid waste disposal pits.
• Ensure all work is carried out as per the community needs and project requirement.
• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly reports on project progress and work plan.
• Provide technical trainings on water point repairing to WASH target groups.
• Ensure liaison with other WASH stakeholders and existing community structures, (groups and individuals, women groups, religious leaders where possible.)
• Attend WASH Coordination Meetings at LGA level.
• Any other duties assigned by his/her supervisor.

Qualification and Experience:

• First Degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture or WASH related field with 2 – 3 years’ experience of working in emergency response with local and/international partner organizations and exposure to field operations.
• Strong positive attitude and ability to manage a wide range of issues of complicated procedures, indicated by 2 – 3 years learning period.
• Be proficient in the use of computer software (AutoCAD, Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Have the capacity to be flexible, supervise and coach community-based Hygiene Promoters.
• Excellent coordination skills, good understanding of principles of effective planning and appropriate time management.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Familiar with WASH context in the northeast Nigeria.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English, Hausa and Kanuri is an advantage.

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Job Summary

• The programme officer -MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) for the ECHO funded Project will be responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and accountability of the project. The role involves designing, coordinating, and implementing MEAL activities, monitoring project performance, and ensuring learning and adaptation throughout the project cycle.
• The programme officer- MEAL will work closely with the project team, partners, and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and report data, ensuring that project outcomes are achieved, beneficiaries are satisfied, and that there is continuous improvement based on learning.

Key Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop and implement MEAL frameworks, indicators, tools, and plans to monitor project outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Proactively ensure networking and sharing of lessons from the program with strategic partners and other stakeholder including government;
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activities, ensuring quality and timely data collection and providing guidance to field teams.
• Responsible for providing technical support to project staff and partner organization on proper data collection and record keeping
• Maintain an updated database for all data collected, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and accessibility for reporting and decision-making.
• Responsible for organizing periodical ongoing data review, reflective practice, evaluation and progress monitoring events;
• Actively participate in and contribute to MEAL team activities, system assessments, development and implementation of new systems and/or tools aimed at strengthening overall MEAL practices

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Lead data collection activities, including surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, ensuring high data quality standards.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement, and generate timely MEAL reports.
• Ensure that data management systems and processes are aligned with organizational data protection policies.
• Responsible for conducting post distribution monitoring (PDM) data collection and analysis
• Facilitate beneficiary registration and verification at community level

Accountability:

• Set up and manage an accountability system, ensuring that feedback mechanisms are available, accessible, and known to project beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Collect and document feedback from beneficiaries, ensuring it is integrated into the project to enhance project responsiveness.
• Prepare monthly accountability reports, including trends in feedback and action taken to address issues raised.
• Ensure CFM data collection met optimum standard and quality for analysis

Learning and Adaptation:

• Facilitate regular learning sessions, including after-action reviews, to promote reflection and learning across the project team and stakeholders.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future project design and improve project outcomes.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing efforts, including writing case studies, success stories, and briefing notes.

Training and Reporting:

• Prepare monthly, and quarterly MEAL reports, providing insights into project performance, beneficiary satisfaction, and impact.
• Support the project team in compiling and submitting donor reports, ensuring MEAL inputs are timely and accurate.
• Ensure that all reporting aligns with donor requirements and organizational standards.

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Development Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in MEAL, preferably within the humanitarian assistance sectors.

Core Skills and Competencies
Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience in developing and implementing MEAL frameworks, tools, and systems.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis methods (quantitative and qualitative), including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and case studies.
• Experience using data management and analysis software, such as Excel, SPSS, or other relevant tools. 
• Good computer skills in MS Office, especially Excel; and Word - with experience in writing reports;
• Self-motivated and pro-active attitude with good organization, planning, and analytic skills, including prioritizing work, multi-tasking and attention to detail;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and in constantly evolving work environments;
• Experience of analyzing and presenting data in a way that facilitates effective decision making.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills are definite assets;
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Beneficiary Feedback Systems

Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure, with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• High level of integrity, with a commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical practices.

Additional Skills:

• Knowledge of local languages and contexts is an advantage.
• Training in data protection and ethical data collection practices.
• Strong facilitation skills with the ability to conduct training sessions on MEAL best practices for project teams and partners.