Program Officer I - RCCE (State) at Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria - 3 Openings

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: Program Officer I - RCCE (State)

Locations: Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi
Reports to: State Coordinator
Project Activity: Risk Communication (COVID & GHSA) 
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 SBC for 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.

Position Summary

• This position will provide technical support to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of COVID & GHSA work streams at the state level.
• He/she will be responsible for maintaining strong relationships and coordination with key partners and organizations leading COVID response and global health security activities in the state.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with State Coordinator to provide state-level project leadership for the BA-Nigeria risk communication and community engagement activities in the state including partnership management, stakeholder’s engagement, and overall coordination of COVID and GHSA work streams;
• Collaborate with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency/Board and the State Agency for the Control of AIDS, State Ministry of Agriculture, State Ministry of Environment, and its partners to implement COVID-19 and GHSA work plans at the different levels;
• Provide support to State Social Mobilization Committee, Emergency Operations Centre, Multisectoral Coordination structures, CRICC, state-level partners, and other stakeholders (at local government and ward levels) to coordinate and implement RCCE activities for COVID and GHSA;
• Provide SBC support and capacity building at the state level for diverse stakeholders;
• Work together with the State M&E Officer in the coordination and monitoring of activity across all intervention areas;
• Document the implementation process, success stories and provide key highlights including lessons learned on a monthly basis and submit the same to the RCCE Program Manager;
• Represent Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria at stakeholder meetings and similar partner forums as required;
• Other duties as identified and assigned by supervisor and/or Abuja country office program leads.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualification & Skills

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Social / Health Sciences or related discipline is required. An advanced degree is desirable.
• 5 - 7 years of previous experience working in any health program area is required. Experience of working on USAID or US-CDC funded projects an advantage.
• Proven experience working with varied stakeholders especially ministries, departments, and agencies in a multisectoral approach developing and implementing policies is desirable.
• Excellent communication, and organizational skills; and ability to influence and facilitate advocacy agendas at LGA and State level
• Understanding of local communities and cultures in the state of assignment, and ability to communicate fluently in the commonly spoken local language.
• Excellent technical writing and oral presentation skills are highly desired.
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Working Knowledge of MS Office Packages and database software and applications.
• 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.