Technical Specialist - Advocacy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS is a global leader in agricultural livelihoods programming, and promotes resilience building in impoverished, disaster-affected, and climate change-impacted areas around the world.  CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently works in 32 of Nigeria’s 36 states, focusing on agriculture and livelihoods, health, and emergency programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Specialist - Advocacy

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Department: Programs
Position Band: D-1
Project: 4Children
Reports To: Sustainability Director
 
Project Background

• Initiated in September 2014, The Comprehensive, Coordinated Care for Children Project (4Children) is a fiveâ€�year USAIDâ€�funded consortium of organizations led by Catholic Relief Services with partners IntraHealth, Maestral, Pact, Plan and Westat. 4Children designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for OVC affected by HIV and AIDS and other adversities.  4Children draws on global evidence, which illustrates that HIV and other adversities are best prevented and addressed when families and children have access to both high quality health and social welfare services. 4Children helps countries to identify practical and appropriate policies, programs and services that reduce the risk of HIV and maltreatment and promote child well-being.  It promotes approaches that address the unique needs of each child and family, including strengthening front line social service workforce and case management systems.
• The United States Government (USG) has made a significant investment in the prevention and response to HIV and AIDS in Nigeria over the past decade. In fiscal year 2015, more than 800,000 children benefitted from PEPFAR-supported services. Currently, PEPFAR-funded OVC programming is occurring across the country in approximately 180 LGAs.
• Under PEPFAR 3.0, approaches will focus on the highest impact interventions in key geographic areas where data demonstrate the highest prevalence of HIV. In Nigeria, this has resulted in the identification of 32 LGAs where facilities report the highest prevalence of HIV. These LGAs, also referred to as “scale up” LGAs, will be the focus of intense PEPFAR-funded interventions aimed at significantly decreasing the rate of new HIV infections and successfully treating existing cases and controlling the spread of the disease. Future interventions will have an increased focus on linking OVC and their caregivers to HIV testing and counseling (HTC) and treatment and outreach to adolescent girls to prevent new HIV infections.   Through this new focus, it is anticipated that 300,000 OVC will be graduation or transitioned from current programming by end of fiscal year (FY) 2016 and an additional 600,000 OVC by end FY 2017.
• To achieve these targets, 4Children will implement a two-year project focused on the provision of technical assistance to PEPFAR OVC Implementing Partners, Government of Nigeria entities and Networks to graduate and transition OVC households and children from care and support. To support these efforts, the project will strengthen programming around sustainability planning, case management and referral of OVC and vulnerable households to health facilities, household economic strengthening activities parenting, and youth/adolescent girl programming, as well as supporting the development of a HIV-sensitive social service system.

Job Summary

• The Technical Specialist - Advocacy with the support of the Sustainability Director will liaise with other technical experts on issues related to advocacy, policy analysis and the implementation of an investment case in a sustained OVC-response, including HIV-sensitive social service systems at National, State and LGA levels. This information will be used to support the PEPFAR OVC Implementing Partners (IPs) and their collaborating CSO/CBOs and relevant OVC networks to develop and implement a joint advocacy agenda and strategy to increase Government of Nigeria (GON) commitment towards a sustained OVC-response and a HIV-sensitive social service system.
• S/he will work closely with short term technical assistance providers and PEFPAR OVC IPs to implement a joint advocacy agenda and strategy, ensuring that advocacy messages are delivered and targets well informed. The job holder will play a key role in ensuring that the experience and evidence created by the PEPFAR OVC IPs, CSO/CBOs and OVC networks is translated into advocacy actions to engage, convince and foster better understanding and eventual ownership by other actors such as government, academia and private sector to sustain the Nigerian OVC response and HIV-sensitive social service system.

Specific Responsibilities

• Implement advocacy actions to strengthen public financing mechanism of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to secure investment for HIV-sensitive social service system.
• Work with the leadership capacity of SMWASD and other relevant GON entities to foster greater intragovernmental collaboration to develop child-sensitive budgets that support the OVC-response and a HIV-sensitive social service system aligned with Nigerian frameworks and policies in collaboration with the Government System Strengthening Technical Advisor and Zonal State Coordinators.
• With support from the supervisor, strengthen the capacity CSO/CBOs and networks to advocate for a sustained OVC-response and a HIV-sensitive social service system; implement measures and tools to hold stakeholders accountable to commitments.
• Proactively identify and develop external relationships with private INGOs, private organizations, government agencies, legislatives and executive arm of Government and UN agencies to meet project advocacy objectives
• Implement and monitor an evidence-informed joint advocacy agenda, strategies and tactics to increase GON ownership and commitment towards a sustained OVC-response and a HIV-sensitive social service system.
• Organize high quality delivery of advocacy-related events, activities and communications necessary to deliver on project result on increased public and private social financing of HIV-sensitive social service system (e.g. workshops, position papers, briefings, consultations, roundtables, online media
• Conduct structured outreach to potential private sector partners aimed at building partnerships to promote health service delivery and health systems strengthening, including OVC financing and investment;
• Support the selection and structuring of targeted public-private partnerships to ensure they have clearly-defined, mutually-beneficial goals that are aligned with the project’s strategic objectives;
• Maintain a database of potential private sector partners, including key points discussed at meetings to track and monitor partnership progress;
• Support a business development consultant in securing a strong funding stream from private-sector engagement for OVC response to be implemented by community-level organizations in Nigeria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree, preferably in Communications, Business Development, International Relations/Development, Social Science.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of influencing the policy and practice of governments and institutions through campaigning, advocacy and/or policy development.
• At least 1 year of relevant work experience with private-sector organizations in Nigeria; not desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage complex and sensitive relationships.
• Familiarity with the legislative, planning, budgeting and allocation processes at the LGA, State and Federal levels, particularly as it relates to child-related issues.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, facilitation/training and mentoring skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook as well as popular social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn).

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication.
• Ability to address a range of issues in the context of social service action, political developments, public attitudes and local conditions.
• Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns.
• Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources.
• Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.
• Ability to produce a variety of written and visual communications products in a clear, concise style.
• Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately.
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Managing relationships - Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Self-Development - able to identify and apply opportunities for learning and personal development.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Technical Specialist Competencies:

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each Technical staff to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Sets clear goals and manages toward them
• Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
• Manages financial resources with integrity
• Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: 4Children Core Leadership and Technical Advisors; 4Children Nigeria Technical Staff; CRS Nigeria Programming, Finance, Procurement, and HR/Administration.
• External: Donors, 4Children consortium members, government ministries/institutions at the National, State and LGA levels, UN agencies, other PEPFAR implementers including UGM partners, LOPINS and all other PEPFAR OVC IPs, civil society and faith-based organizations providing OVC services, Child Protection and OVC Networks, research institutions, and relevant private sector entities.

Travel:  

• The Technical Specialist- Advocacy will be expected to travel within Nigeria and potentially outside of Nigeria to attend conference, workshops or other activities related to the project.

Application Closing Date
6th April, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form Below" and send with a detailed 3-page resume in a single file word document to: [email protected]

Click here to download Application Form (MS Word)

Note:

• Candidates should state the position and advert code as the subject of their email e.g. Technical Specialist, Advocacy - TSA210317.
• Applications will be treated on a rolling basis and candidates are advised to apply promptly.
• CRS is an equal - opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, etc. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
• CRS recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.