Technical Advisor, IPC/CM at FHI 360

FHI 360 is a global development organization with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our professional staff includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from 60 offices with 4,400 staff in the U.S. and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at every level and our multidisciplinary approach enable us to have a lasting impact on the individuals, communities and countries we serve improving lives for millions.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position below:

Job Title: Technical Advisor, IPC/CM (Interpersonal Communication/Community Mobilization)

Requisition: 2018202370
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full time
Supervisor: A&T Nigeria Country Director
Band:MM

Project Summary

• Alive & Thrive is an initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development through improved breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.
• In its first five years (2009 to 2014), A&T demonstrated that innovative approaches to improving feeding practices could be delivered with impact and at scale in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Viet Nam.
• Alive & Thrive continues its work in those countries and is supporting others to scale up nutrition by applying and adapting tested, proven approaches and tools in Burkina Faso, India, Southeast Asia, and Nigeria. Alive & Thrive is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of Canada and Ireland.

Position Summary
The Technical Advisor (TA), IPC/CM (Interpersonal Communication/Community Mobilization) is based in Abuja, Nigeria. This position is responsible for working closely with the A&T Nigeria Country Project Director and other technical and program staff to (1) provide technical direction for IPC/CM, messages, materials, and activities; and (2) provide high quality technical assistance, training, and program oversight on the planning, development, implementation, and report-out of A&T’s, interpersonal communication and community mobilization at the national level and in metropolitan Lagos and urban and rural Kaduna state.

The position will help develop and conduct these activities under the context of the Government of Nigeria’s National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (2014-2019) and the National Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) IN Nigeria (2016-2020), specifically with the FMOH and state PHCDAs and MOHs in Lagos and Kaduna; A&T IPC/CM sub-grantees, private/commercial and NGO (and faith-based, community-based) organizations and programs; other sectors’ platforms; international donors, agencies, and projects; and other partners and stakeholders towards the improvement of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.

This position will be guided by A&T Nigeria’s Country Project Director, with input from other technical advisors to provide technical assistance (TA) training, and oversight to partner and subcontract program staff and activities. This position will also support and participate as needed to communicate, connect, and coordinate with subcontractors, partners, government and NGO stakeholders, and international donors to ensure successful design and implementation of the large and complex IYCF/CM portfolio of activities expected.

Program Summary

• A&T is an initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development in infants through improved breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. A&T uses a four-component framework to do so:
  • Policy/ advocacy;
  • Interpersonal communication and community mobilization;
  • Mass communication; and
  • Strategic use of data.
• A&T will work with the Government of Nigeria and other key stakeholders to increase and improve IYCF in metropolitan Lagos and in rural and urban Kaduna State. A&T’s four-component framework will be applied in both areas. Advocacy efforts will also be initiated with public and private sector partners at the national level.

Essential Job Functions
SBCC technical and program development, implementation, and monitoring:

• Helps maintain productive partnerships with key federal and Lagos and Kaduna state level stakeholders in the government, A&T IPC/CM sub-grantees, international and local private/commercial and NGO organizations and projects, and international donors to ensure A&T’s IYCF/CM approach is advocated for, accepted, and sustained towards the improvement of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.
• Works with the A&T Nigeria team of specialists to conduct and/or oversee formative research/assessments (e.g., landscaping and assessments, FGDs, key informant interviews).
• Contribute to the development and placement of other relevant project communication materials on the Internet or intranet web pages.
• Work with the SBCC Advisor to ensures strong linkages between the community program and mass communication (broadcast, traditional, print, public display, mobile phone/digital). Work with the Program Officer, Communication to facilitates regular media coverage of A&T sub-grantee activities and events.
• Work with the SBCC Advisor to tests innovative approaches to community media integration in view of using successful families and communities as models to boost the engagement of others.
• Monitor/track A&T IPC/CM sub-grantee activities and deliverables.
• Engages with and provides technical and program input to A&T partners and subcontractors at the national and Lagos and Kaduna state level. This includes facilitating workshops and meetings, conducting skills training, and providing technical assistance to: the FMOH, Lagos and Kaduna state MOHs; private/commercial and NGO organizations and projects; A&T IPC/CM sub-grantees (and so providing TA, training, and oversight as needed).
• Represents A&T in the IYCF/CM Technical Working Groups/Platforms at the national level. Acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the project at national and regional technical meetings; this may include facilitating workshops and meetings, providing TA, training and additional input and involvement at the federal level, in Lagos and Kaduna, and elsewhere in Nigeria, as needed.
• Contribute to the program and technical aspects of the procurement process in developing requests for proposals, soliciting, selecting, and overseeing vendors providing IYCF/CM support services and products, including formative research, rapid assessments; consultancies.
• Contributes to the preparation and ensures quality of project reports and program deliverables.
• Troubleshoots to prevent and resolve potential program challenges around IYCF/CM.
• Works closely as directed with A&T Nigeria and HQ finance, operations, and program staff to develop annual work plans and budgets; annual, quarterly and monthly update reports; and other project deliverables from partners and subcontractors.
• Reports regularly to the Country Project Director or other senior staff on technical and administrative issues related to IYCF/CM.
• Involve in developing and co-presenting program results, based on MLE data, to the GON and other IPC/CM program stakeholders.
• Other tasks as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

Requirements
Education:

• Social Sciences degree at a Master's level in Behavior Change Communication, Public Health Education, Sociology, Nutrition, Medical/Nursing Sciences and/or related Development Studies; or equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience in the context of IPC/CM.

Experience:

• At least 10 year(s) of relevant technical, capacity building (training, TA, facilitation), program, and leadership experience required in IPC/CM, nutrition, IYCF, public health, partnership-building, program management and monitoring to improve health and/or nutrition behavior change indicators.
• Demonstrated experience and high acceptability in working with government, NGOs, private/commercial sector, and donors.
• Specialty in at least one of the following; community engagement; Health Promotion/Education, public relations/awareness; formative qualitative research (pretesting, concept testing).

Specific Knowledge Requirements:

• Advanced knowledge of IPC/CM
• Infant and young child feeding and nutrition desirable
• Fluency in written and oral English; fluency in Hausa, Yoruba desirable.

Special Requirements:

• This job will require a criminal background check.

Skills:

• Proven teamwork, partnering skills (facilitating dialogue and communications across diverse sectors, institutions, and geographic administrative levels)
• Excellent writing, oral and visual presentation skills; training skills
• Ability to assess priorities and competently complete a variety of activities with a high level of accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to initiate and implement activities with minimal oversight and supervision.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc) and the Internet.

Additional Information

• Supervisory Responsibilities: None at this time
• Equipment to Be Used: Computers, scan machines, copiers, telephones, calculators, and/or similar devices
• Typical Physical Demands: Works in a typical office setting
• Working Conditions including Travel and Overtime: Extensive travel from Abuja to and from Lagos and Kaduna (50% time).

Starting Salary
Commensurate with education & experience.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

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

Note: The above job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.