Program Officer/Gender Mentor Coordinator (Four Pillars PLUS) at FHi360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

FHI 360, a nonprofit human development organization, is recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Project Officer/Gender-Mentor Coordinator

Location: Calabar/Cross River - Nigeria

Project Summary

• The FHI 360 Four Pillars PLUS in Nigeria aims to improve the quality and relevance of secondary education for girls and other vulnerable children (OVC) and boost retention rates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The project will offer scholarships, girls' mentoring, teacher training, and encourage community participation to address the complex barriers to education for girls and OVCs. The PLUS component will focus on strengthening Adolescent Reproductive Health Education, addressing Early Pregnancy, Early Marriage and SRGBV. This is a 4 year project with funds provided annually. FHI360 is currently seeking qualified candidates for the positions of; Program Officer/Gender Mentor Coordinator

Job Description

• The FHI 360 Four Pillars PLUS project in Nigeria aims to improve the quality and relevance of secondary education for girls and other vulnerable children (OVC) and boost retention rates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The project will offer scholarships, girls’ mentoring, teacher training, and encourage community participation to address the complex barriers to education for girls and OVCs. The PLUS component will focus on strengthening Adolescent Reproductive Health Education, addressing Early Pregnancy, Early Marriage and SRGBV. This is a 4 year project with funds provided annually.

Job Summary:

• Under the direction of the Project Manager, the Four Pillars PLUS Gender-Mentor Coordinator will be responsible for identifying mentors and organizing mentor training workshops for a number of girls’ mentors in project schools.
• The Gender- Mentor Coordinator will ensure that mentoring sessions in project schools are being executed as planned and cover topics that are most relevant to the beneficiaries’ lives.
• The Gender-Mentor Coordinator will assist in the monthly report and work plan preparation; organize and execute mentors' training workshops; monitor and evaluate mentor training and mentors' performance; research and provide support to the Project Manager; facilitate the creation of sustainable girls' mentoring venues; and prepare additional activities supporting secondary schools and implementing Internship and Vocational Training programs.

Essential Job Functions

• Assess the gender gaps of the Four Pillars PLUS stakeholders and conduct trainings and capacity building activities;
• Support the development of gender related indicators in the different sectors using existing data for establishing baseline and future targets;
• Ensure a monitoring and evaluation plan is in place to measure mentoring results and informs ongoing program design;
• Undertake regular monitoring and observation visits to project schools to support and provide feedback and guidance to mentors;
• Facilitate mentoring sessions for all students and participants in project schools;
• Develop a gender communication plan for all mentors and other participants such as a Mentors Monthly Newsletter and other project related publications and brochures to inform the communities;
• Work closely with facilitators to improve mentors delivery of their training;
• Facilitate the creation and smooth running of a girls mentoring program in each school;
• Ensure the formation of peer to peer mentoring clubs in schools;
• Use and adapt the three FHI 360 Guides to Mentoring on Life Skills, HIV/AIDS and Transitioning from School to Work to the relevant Nigerian context;
• Support the implementation/inclusion of Adolescent Reproductive Health Education in schools;
• Create channels of communication with school committees and teachers, caregivers and parents to support mentoring objectives;
• Help raise awareness on the impact of early pregnancy-early marriage on the girls’ lives and the health and future of their children;
• Liaise with health services, where available, to provide a network of support for adolescent youth in and outside of school, if possible;
• Conduct gender sensitization campaigns to continue raising community awareness about their roles, duties and expectations vis à vis the girls and adolescents;
• Together with the project team, develop and coordinate advocacy initiatives on girls’ education in partnership with media, private sectors and civil society;

Necessary Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication in English and local languages;
• Experience in working with schools, preferably secondary schools, and communities in East Africa or Nigeria;
• Ability to work independent and as a team;
• Experience in providing support to OVCs;
• Understanding the ways that CBOs / NGOs operate;
• Experience providing capacity support to NGOs and CBOs;
• Ability to inspire girls and passion for the development of young people;
• Excellent communication, writing, interpersonal, facilitation and presentation skills;
• Ability to develop and use training tools, coordination and facilitation of training programs;
• Experience in implementing gender strategies and programming preferably with youth;
• Experience in guidance and counseling.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in International Development, Gender Studies, Social Science, Education or equivalent;
• At least 5 years' experience in the fields of gender and education with expertise in girls education/Adolescent Reproductive Health/SRGBV;
• Master's Degree preferred;
• Must be computer literate (MS Office Package/Internet, etc.)
• Must be able to provide three references from previous employment or university.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
No staff supervisory responsibilities are required.

Application Closing Date
Not Stated.

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