Community Mobilization Specialist at the Northern Nigeria Education Initiative Plus (NEI+) - Creative Associates International (UPDATED)

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 15 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Community Mobilization Specialist

Location: Abuja

Project Summary

• The Northern Nigeria Education Initiative Plus (NEI+) project works to improve the quality of and access to education in Northern Nigeria, equitably and sustainably.

Position Summary

• The Community Mobilization Officer will be responsible for implementing activities to increase community awareness and support of schooling in targeted non-formal education and alternative education learning center communities. This includes implementing a small grants program to enable CSOs to establish community coalitions and learning centers, building the capacity of CSOs and executing awareness campaigns to strengthen the community’s demand for education.
• The Community Mobilization Specialist will be responsible for implementing activities related to reestablishing a national culture of reading. This includes coordinating with national efforts.

Reporting & Supervision

• This position is housed in Abuja, Nigeria, reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party.

Primary Responsibilities

• Mobilize communities around formal and non-formal schools to promote access to education,
• Establish community coalitions and learning centers, building the capacity of CSOs,
• Conduct awareness campaigns to strengthen the community’s demand for quality education,
• Promote a culture of reading through innovation, social accountability, and ownership of reading gains by enhancing civil society engagement;
• Promote public discourse about reading;
• Engage Nigerian organizations to develop and lead projects aimed at piloting or scaling-up effective models to stimulate reading, introduce additional reading materials at the community level;
• Support research related to reading acquisition and correlating factors;
• Generate momentum with communities themselves to spearhead increased interest and opportunities for everyone to participate in reading through community engagement campaigns and a grants mechanism for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs);
• Work with communities to develop strategies, identify funding needs, and monitor projects in collaboration with community-level networks;
• Help create a generation of children who want to learn to read and parents who want teachers who can teach their children to read, generating a demand for future reading instruction and assessment improvements by working with communities to re-establish a culture of reading;
• Engage parents and siblings in fostering a culture of reading (e.g., listening to children read)

Desired Skills and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in community outreach or community mobilization
• Demonstrated experience managing community engagement campaigns, preferably in the education sector
• Experience with international organizations’ community grants mechanisms
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing capacity building plans in culturally, politically, and security sensitive environments
• In-depth understanding of the role of civil society in development
• Demonstrated capacity in managing staff
• Fluency in English
• Bachelor’s Degree in International Development, Communications, Social Work, or other related field. Master’s Degree preferred.

Application Closing Date
30th November, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send a short Cover letter and CV to: [email protected]

Note:

• Local and regional candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Candidate should indicate the position for which he is applying for in the Subject of the email.