Program Officer/Community Mobilization Coordinator (Four Pillars PLUS) at FHi360

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 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

FHI 360 is recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Program Officer/Community Mobilization Coordinator (Four Pillars PLUS)

Job ID: 15303
Location: Cross Rivers

Project Summary

• The FHI 360 Four Pillars PLUS project in Nigeria project aims to improve the quality and relevance of secondary education for girls and other vulnerable children (OVC) and boost retention rates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
• The project will offer scholarships, girls' mentoring, teacher training, and encourage community participation to address the complex barriers to education for girls and OVCs. The PLUS component will focus on strengthening Adolescent Reproductive Health Education, addressing Early Pregnancy, Early Marriage and SRGBV. This is a 4 year project with funds provided annually.

Position Summary
Under the direction of the Project Manager, the Four Pillars PLUS Community Mobilization Coordinator will be responsible for working closely with the Four Pillars PLUS team members to implement the main objectives of the project:

• To improve the quality and relevance of girls' education and to boost retention rates for OVCs in selected LGAs of Calabar, Nigeria.
• The Community Mobilization Coordinator is responsible for working closely with the school officials, school management committees, PTAs, local education officials, local community leaders, beneficiaries’ parents/caretakers and other stakeholders to ensure that the project gains sustainable support within the community through strengthening caregivers productive skills and garnering their support for their children's education particularly the girls.
• The Community Mobilization Coordinator is also expected to create a network of support and participation with the local government departments that can provide caregivers with critical knowledge, expertise and means to empower their financial productivity and know how.

Essential Job Functions

• Facilitate community participation in and around school communities in order to establish sustainable support for the project;
• Participate in conducting OVC assessment and enrolment with school principals, mentors, community leaders and other stakeholders;
• Work closely with school principals, school community leaders, mentors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to assess and prioritize needs;
• Trace OVCs who have relocated to other areas or dropped out;
• Follow up with cases related to child rights violations;
• Document case studies / good practices;
• Gather information about and develop training modules for the relevant gaps in each school community's resources ;
• Develop work plans for each school community based on needs assessment and choice of community activities;
• Work with the project team to conduct capacity building sessions for the caregivers, school management committees, mentors and the school community on the care and support of the girl child and OVC education;
• Work closely with the Project Manager to develop an implementation plan for each school community;
• Assist in the distribution of scholarship materials to the beneficiaries;
• Ensure that psychosocial care and support is provided to the OVCs and their caregivers;
• Mobilize and sensitize the parents to form support groups towards contributing to school activities;
• Develop a calendar of home and school visits and share with the teachers and community mentors;
• Keep and maintain an updated record of OVC data base and files;
• Research school communities resources to build capacities, train caregivers on IGAs relevant to their lives and environment;
• Engage local businesses/financial institutions to provide training and guidance on saving and lending/bookkeeping if appropriate;
• Conduct continuous monitoring of each school community's participation and submit regular progress reports to the Project Manager;
• Assist the Project Manager in the monthly and annual reporting on community activities;
• Perform other duties as necessary and appropriate

Necessary Skills and Qualification Requirements:

• Excellent written and oral communication in English  and local languages;
• Ability to work individually as well as a team;
• Ability to understand communities local culture and  promote advocacy for supporting girls education;
• Experience in capacity building activities;
• Experience in working with schools/NGOs and CBOs;
• Experience in incorporating existing resources into  income generating activities;

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No staff supervisory responsibilities are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree / Diploma in Sociology, Social Work or Community Development with at least 5 years work experience especially in OVC and girls education/HIV/AIDS and gender issues;
• Must be computer literate (Ms Office Packages / Internet);
• Good facilitation and report writing skills;
• Must be able to provide three references from previous employment or University;

Application Closing Date
Not Stated

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online