FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Program Officer, Communications

Requisition: 2021202506
Location: Abuja
Supervisor: Deputy Director, Programs, Alive & Thrive Project/Nigeria
Band: KK

Project Summary

• The Nigeria Alive &Thrive (A&T) Nigeria MIYCN social and behavior change program focuses on improving the delivery and expanding the coverage of MIYCN interventions that contribute to reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality and morbidity. A&T will work across the public and NGO sectors to improve MIYCN through A&T’s four components: advocacy, interpersonal communication and community mobilization, mass communication, and strategic use of data.
• At the national level, A&T will predominantly work with its public and NGO sector partners to improve the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of key MIYCN policies (e.g., Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes; maternity leave; workplace support; breastfeeding-friendly health care and delivery facilities).
• A&T will also work in seven states: Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, and Sokoto—to apply the four components to reach households, communities, and facilities with targeted, age-appropriate social and behavior change communication (SBCC) messaging on MIYCN practices.
• At both the national level and in the seven states, emphasis will be to build the capacity of the public sector (primary healthcare facilities) and local NGOs/CBOs to improve MIYCN practices, advance MIYCN policies, expand the promotion of positive social norms, and extend timed and age-appropriate behavior change messaging through commercial facilities to households and communities.
• Alive & Thrive Nigeria is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by FHI Solutions.

Basic Functions

• Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, Programs, and with input from the senior technical team, the Program Officer performs functions related to planning, design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities for the Alive & Thrive Project, Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Deputy Director, Programs, in assuring effective planning, implementation, and management of assigned projects for Alive & Thrive Nigeria.
• Assist the Deputy Director, Programs, in strengthening systems for reporting on program progress against stated objectives and monitoring, according to Alive & Thrive and donor guidelines.
• Work with program staff to prepare, monitor, and revise A&T Nigeria work plans and budgets, strategies, and sub-project documents, coordinating input from various technical and program staff.
• In coordination with finance and admin staff, develop and review activity budgets, procurement plans and tracking systems for A&T Nigeria activities.
• Support program staff with generating and documenting new evidence for nutrition interventions in Nigeria
• Oversee content development for project website, working with communications team in HQ to keep content current. This will include drafting content, interfacing with program staff to develop progress/success write-ups, sharing A&T Nigeria photos and even summaries as needed.
• Support the provision of programmatic assistance to A&T partners in implementing their sub-agreements, as needed.
• Maintain an effective electronic filing system for the project in coordination with program staff
• Remain informed on current programs and research in the health and development field; improve skills by working closely with technical specialists.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• B.Sc / BA in Mass Communication, Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Health Sciences, or its recognized equivalent with 5 – 7 years of relevant experience with international development programs.
• MS/MA degree in Mass Communication, Public Health, Health Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, or its recognized equivalent with 3 – 5 years’ relevant experience with international development programs strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in multicultural environments is an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of nutrition, health, and development programming in a developing country.
• Working knowledge of donor policies as well as international not-for-profit organizations.
• Proven ability to coordinate a multi-sectoral development project.
• Ability to organize systems to monitor administrative and implementation results.
• Basic budget tracking or financial management skills.
• Previous experience with website content development, success story writing, or social media a plus.
• Training and presentation skills would be an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently with initiative to manage high volume workflow.
• Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to plan and prioritize own work under tight deadlines, as well as to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, and other relevant software.
• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.