State Advocacy and Policy Officer at ActionAid (AA) Nigeria - Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno & Yobe

ActionAid is an anti-poverty agency that prioritises work with people living in poverty and exclusion; promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and Governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world. ActionAid Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, an International Non-Governmental organisation registered in Netherlands with its headquarters in Johannesburg South Africa. ActionAid International works in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

We are inviting applications from qualified candidates to fill the position below within the organisation:

Job Title: State Advocacy and Policy Officer (Accountability and Health Financing)

Locations: Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno & Yobe
Slot: 5 Openings
Responsible to: State Team Lead
Grade: 7

Job Purpose

• The State Advocacy and Policy Officerswill be responsible for implementing an eight-year advocacy strategy to increase government financial resources for basic health services at the state level.
• They are expected to support the building of the capacity of Nigerian civil society to ensure that communities have adequate information about their health rights; that the voices of communities are heard by health policy-makers and stakeholders; and that health policy and health services are responsive to their needs.

Specific Responsibilities
Programme Implementation and Reporting:

• Contribute to the development of state level annual workplans and budgets, and quarterly mobilisation plans including preparing/revising state level work plans and budget plans
• Support the building of strong and mutually beneficial relationships with state-level government and other stakeholders, including civil society organisations, networks and movements, women’s rights movements, youth movements and disabled people’s organisations;
• Implement communication and advocacy actions to contribute to project results;
• Implement state level project deliverables;
• Monitor progressagainst state level annual and quarterly work plans and budget plans;
• Attend state level meetings with the StateTeam;
• Ensure there is regular communication of progress or escalation of challenges at the state level

Financial Management:

• Support the preparation of quarterly and annual state level narrative and financial reports to DFID and ActionAid;
• Participate actively in developing periodic/annual state plans and budgets;
• Support the monitoring, revising and correct administrative and financial management of project advocacy and policy objectives at the state level.

Other:

• Contribute to a personal and team culture that demonstrates ActionAid International’s values including: Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity with People Living in Poverty and Exclusion, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility.

Internal Relationships:

• Entire ActionAidNigeria staff.

External Relationships:

• Government, Civil Society Organisations, networks and movements, women’s rights movements, youth movements and disability rights groups.

Persons Specifications

Education/Qualifications
Essential:

• Graduate Degree in a relevant subject.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree in public health, social sciences or management;
• Membership of relevant professional institute.
• Strong proficiency in Hausa or other local languages strongly preferred

Experience/ Knowledge:

• A minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience, of which 3 years must be on health accountability programmes or similar projects;
• Strong understanding of the Nigerian health system, civil society, and social justice movements at the state level;
• Demonstrable experience in implementing advocacy strategies to influence policy change at the state level;
• Knowledge of policy, CSOs, media and youth movements landscape in Nigeria;
• A good understanding and clear commitment to human rights-based approach and women’s rights.

Experience working in an international development organisation;

• Experience working on projects funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) or similar donors;
• Experience in community-based work and engagements with CSOs;
• Good knowledge of women’s rights, gender equality and human rights;
• Existing working relationships with civil society and feminist networks in Nigeria.

Skills/Abilities:

• Strong communication and writing skills;
• Strong research, analytical and writing skills;
• Strong analytical skill;
• Demonstrable IT skills;
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills;
• Strong organisational skills and co-ordination skills in meeting tight deadlines;

Desirable:

• Highly numerate.

Personal Qualities:

• A strong commitment to human rights and socio-economic justice;
• Self-motivated person able to work without close supervision;
• Strong team player, able to work closely with others remotely, ability to meet tight deadlines and multiple priorities;
• Flexibility to travel;
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times
• Ability to relate with ActionAid Nigeria’s mission, values and objectives;

Application Closing Date
3rd April, 2019.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly download and complete the "Application Form" below and send as an MS Word attachment to: Vacancy.Nigeria@actionaid.org Subject line of emails must state clearly, job title of position applied for and location e.g.Education Project Coordinator, Breaking Barriers Project - Abuja

Click Here to Download Application Form (MSWord)

Click Here for more Information

Note

• Only electronically submitted forms will be considered. Submitted CVs will be disregarded.
• Submitted applications for this position will be reviewed as received.
• ActionAid offers competitive terms of employment. Applications from women and candidates from the North East and North West are particularly encouraged.
• While we respect all applicants, interview dates will be communicated only to shortlisted candidates.