Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in over 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Save the Children is working in Nigeria because one in five children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday. About 40% of children miss out on school and have to work to survive while nearly 2 million children have lost one or both parents to an AIDS-related disease.
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better health care, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
All children learn from quality basic education and that,
Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all our personnel and programmes are absolutely safe for children.
We undertake rigorous procedures to ensure that only people suitable to work with children are allowed to join our organization and all candidates will, therefore, be subject to this scrutiny.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Role Purpose
To provide support to the project team on Policy analysis, new Programme development, advocacy initiatives, strategy development and pro-poor governance agenda in the delivery of basic social services with focus on improving quality and access to Health Services, Nutrition, Food Security, Education and Child Protection.
Scope of Role:
Reports to: Yobe Field Manager
Staff directly reporting to this post: None
Budget responsibility: None
Key Areas of Accountability
People Management & Leadership:
Have regular meetings with local authorities to update on the progress of programmes
Involve relevant authorities in the planning and implementation of programmes through consultation and joint visits
In collaboration with other team members plan and carry out feedback meetings with authorities and beneficiaries
Advocate for allocation of appropriate resources for the implementation of Nutrition, FSL, Education activities in the LGAs
Programme Development and Quality:
Support actively in the process of developing the organization’s short- and long-term governance and advocacy agendas. As directed, and particularly as it relates to exploring governance-related barriers to the elimination of exclusion and inequity, undertake research and analysis on possible new areas for SC programming.
Prepare concept papers and other relevant documents, and initiate and describe project ideas and initiatives in accordance with the country strategy, the current contextual environment, the institutional capabilities of potential partners, resource availability and funding sources
When working on specific high-priority initiatives, the Advocacy Coordinator will collaborate with senior staff and support the analysis process, developing policy positions and programme strategies, establishing new networks and partnerships, and managing coalitions.
Assist colleagues to strengthen their knowledge and skills/capacities to incorporate governance frameworks, policy research, analysis and advocacy into their work.
Contribute to development of advocacy strategies proposal writing and fund raising
Communication and Representation:
Act as SC’s representative at local, national and international levels with local authorities, partners etc. as required, mainly in events relating to basic services (health/nutrition, FSL and education) programme. Represent SC Nigeria CO and communicate SC Nigeria CO's public policy and advocacy positions as and when appropriate to institutions, government, international, national and local organisations as required.
Support the coordination of the drafting and submission of strategic, planning and reporting documents, including but not limited to strategy documents, the operational plan and annual reports, and ad hoc requests for updates and reports from SC CO and Regional Office.
Develop and maintain a professional network for governance issues within Nigeria and within SC globally.
Dissemination of important information and messages
Programme Management:
Supervise consultants involved in writing project designs, case studies or reports, facilitating training events, and conducting policy research, or other such contracted services.
Support the implementation of the governance programme including quality control, negotiation with local partners, financial management, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting etc
Other - Other ad hoc tasks as requested by Line Manager.
Working Contacts
Internal
External
Requirements, Skills & Experience
Essential:
Level of Education - Post Graduate
Specified Study Area - Public Health / Social Science
Desired Number of Years’ Experience - 4 years post NYSC (in education/health/social services delivery with a focus on governance and enhanced voice and accountability)
Language Requirements - English - Excellent and working knowledge of local language(s)
Level of IT Expertise Required - Excellent
Profound knowledge in Nigeria governance especially the North East. Good knowledge of Borno governance structure and dynamics; knowledge of health systems and political terrains
Ability to clearly communicate and easily relate to federal and state authorities
Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s commitment to protect children in accordance with the Child Safeguarding Policy.
Prior Experience Expectations:
Building external networks
Strategic Planning
Change Management
Governance and advocacy
Enhanced voice accountability
Training and Facilitation.
Skills And Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
Accuracy and timeliness in all areas of responsibility
High level of accuracy in work, and ability to analyse complex sets of relationships and situations
Holds self and others accountable
Ambition:
Creating best-in-class EA function
Future-orientated, thinks pro-actively.
Collaboration:
Working effectively with stakeholders to achieve common goals
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners
Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
Designing more effective admin and value for money systems
Willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
Honest, encourages openness and transparency, demonstrates highest levels of integrity.
Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as it is contrary to the values and practices of our organization.
Due to the volume of applications received, Save the Children may not provide feedback to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as received. Save the Children reserves the right to change the closing date, if considered necessary.