Senior Program Officer I - Partner Liaison at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria

Breakthrough ACTION ignites collective action and encourages people to adopt healthier behavior - from using modern contraceptive methods and sleeping under bed nets to being tested for HIV and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases - by forging, testing, and scaling up new and hybrid approaches to social and behavior change.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Program Officer I - Partner Liaison

Location: Abuja
Reports to: Deputy Project Director
Project Activity: Risk Communication (COVID)
Duration: 1 year – extension contingent on funding.

Project Description

• Breakthrough ACTION is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to lead their social behavior change (SBC) programming around the world. Breakthrough ACTION is a partnership led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) in collaboration with Save the Children, ThinkPlace, ideas42, Camber Collective, International Center for Research on Women, and Viamo.
• In Nigeria, Breakthrough ACTION (Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria) focuses its efforts on malaria; maternal, newborn, and child health, including nutrition (MNCHN); family planning/reproductive health; TB; priority zoonotic diseases; and the COVID-19 response. In addition, Breakthrough ACTION supports the capacity strengthening of key stakeholders to design, implement, and evaluate SBC activities.
• With recently awarded funding from USAID, BA-Nigeria is recruiting positions to lead and implement Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), and COVID-19 activities.

Summary

• This position will be responsible for being the lead Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria representation at all coordination meetings related to the COVID response in Nigeria.  
• He/she will lead the coordination with the establishment and maintenance of effective relationships at the national and sub-national levels with government, donors, and implementing partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Represent Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria at all country-level coordination meetings related to the COVID response in Nigeria - including Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and others as needed;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with all groups and implementing partners coordinating the COVID response at all levels and across pillars;
• Collaborate with lead COVID response organizations to harmonize SBC messages using data trends and across a range of donors, government Ministries Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and implementing partners;
• Coordinate with RCCE Program Manager to support the focal state in adoption, adaptation, and implementation of a coordinated COVID response; support target advocacy efforts and build the capacity of state-level stakeholders for integrated risk communication and community engagement approach;
• Provide administrative, secretarial, and technical support to Presidential Steering Committee;
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles;
• Coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Knowledge Management teams to disseminate program-related learning, tools, and materials through relevant RCCE forums; 
• Support and encourage the growth of diverse, vibrant, and active SBC communities of practice at the national and sub-national levels, and equip such communities to serve as a venue for peer-to-peer learning, networking, and exchange of best SBC practices;
• Prepare and submit timely and quality activity notes and documentation from meetings attended to effectively capture next steps and lessons learned;
• Other duties as identified and assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.|

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Communication, Public Health, Social Science or Diplomacy is required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in any health program area. Human resource management experience is desired.
• Previous experience of working for SBC/SBCC or health communication programs is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, collaboration, and management (especially with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies) is required.
• Proven capacity to represent Breakthrough ACTION, sustain relations with diverse stakeholders, and influence and facilitate advocacy agendas at National, State, and LGA levels.
• Experience in providing administrative leadership and support to work teams.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
• Strong writing, reporting, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Well-organized, with the ability to track multiple activities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills (written & spoken) in the English language and one or more Nigerian language(s) is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, or similar software.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria and work successfully within a cross-cultural, multi-sectoral, multi-project team-based environment.

Application Closing Date
28th September, 2021.