Communications and Advocacy Officer at Cooperazione Internazionale - COOPI

Cooperazione Internazionale - COOPI is a humanitarian, non-confessional and independent organization founded in 1965 in Milan, Italy. For more than 60 years we have been dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and to supporting populations affected by wars, socio-economic crises or natural disasters in their path to recovery and sustainable development, by making use of the professionalism of local and international operators, and through our partnerships with public and private bodies and civil society organizations.

COOPI- Cooperazione Internazionale started its operations in North-East Nigeria in July 2014 to carry out a rapid evaluation of the most relevant constraints suffered by the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) displaced by the food crisis and the insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin. COOPI’s aim is to support the most basic and pressing needs of communities affected by the conflict. COOPI is providing a multi-sectoral emergency response to the IDPs, returnees and host population focused on food security, nutrition, protection and education. COOPI main area of intervention is Yobe and Borno State and we are also present in Sokoto state in North West.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communications and Advocacy Officer

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 6 months( October 2025 to March 2026)
Project Title: Integrated emergency response to the displaced population in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States, NW Nigeria
Line Manager: Head of Program
Functional Manager: Directly to the Direct Supervisor and Indirectly to the Program Coordinator

Description of the Project

• The proposed project to be implemented through a consortium led by IRC together with COOPI, ALIMA and LHI, is to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to displaced and host population members in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states.
• The three North Western states have been hosting IDPs who fled from locations overrun by bandits and insurgents with most residing in formal IDP camps, informal settlements and host communities since the start of the insurgency.
• In response to this complex humanitarian crisis, the consortium proposes to implement a protection-mainstreamed, multi-sector, integrated emergency response program that aims to meet the immediate needs of IDPs, returnees and vulnerable host communities in the three states.
• COOPI will implement integrated WASH, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and Child Protection activities in Gonronyo and Rabah LGAs of Sokoto State. COOPI WASH interventions will focus on Water Supply, Sanitation, Environmental Health, Hygiene Promotion and WASH Non-food Items whilst MPCA will support multiple needs at the household level including WASH, health, nutrition and protection outcomes based on the flexibility which allows the beneficiaries the dignity of choice by being empowered to purchase necessities based on their identified needs.
• COOPI will implement Child protection activities focusing on Case Management, Psychosocial Support, Positive Parenting Education, Support to State and community-Based Mechanisms (CBCPCs), Child Protection Monitoring, Establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces, Support to Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) of separated and unaccompanied children, Placement of children affected by protection risk (UASC) into appropriate community-based alternative care, Provision of immediate assistance (emergency health, children’s kit, basic needs etc), Structured MHPSS Activities, Group counseling, Identification and linkage of out-of-school adolescent survivors to formal education etc.

Purpose of the role

• Under the direction and direct supervision of the Area Coordinator/Project Manager NW, the Communications and Advocacy Officer assists in the development and implementation of communications and advocacy initiatives to raise COOPI's position and recognition among partners, the media, and the general public.
• He or she will be in charge of providing planning and communication support to ensure the efficient and effective execution of project operations.
• S/he will establish a robust communication tool and offer relevant information to all stakeholders while carrying out her/his obligations.
• S/he will advocate for and promote COOPI's activities in Abuja in particular and Nigeria in general, and will collaborate closely with the project team and program cluster, government officials, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities
Supports the development and implementation of project communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as business development with a focus on the following outcomes:

• Implementation of the Project Publications Policy; inputs, content development, coordination of the production and distribution of press releases, publications, articles, and sharing of project expertise and successes.
• Provision of inputs and information for the development of a project communication strategy based on the corporate communications strategy
• Aid in raising awareness of COOPI's mandate and aims through information dissemination and the organization of public events
• In collaboration with the supervisor, plan and prepare marketing and awareness-raising materials such as briefing papers and press releases.
• Provide publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing events, and promotional opportunities. Provision of event logistics support.
• Development and creation of marketing and awareness-raising materials, including briefing papers and press releases, in collaboration with supervisor.
• Publicity, advocacy, knowledge-sharing events, and promotional opportunities are all organized. Provision of event logistics support.
• Examine reference materials, identify reference materials for retention. Upkeep of an information database and a photo collection.
• Organization and execution of collaborative UN communication initiatives (World Toilet Day, World Food Day, etc.)
• Liaise with media outlets to ensure that relevant information and messages reach the public, including the preparation of press releases.
• Prepare promotional material on the project, including pamphlets, videos, etc.
• Prepare communication reports for the Project Management Team
• Perform other duties as required.

Ensures the facilitation of knowledge building and management with a focus on the following outcomes:

• Support to colleagues in identification, documenting and drafting of best practices and lessons learned.
• Staff training on effective communication and advocacy will be organized. Lead the knowledge dissemination process at all levels, producing documents that capture the proper stakeholders and knowledge-based products.
• Create internal and external networks or communities of practice that include important professionals from government, non-government organizations, think tanks, private corporations, international development organizations, and the UN agencies
• Map key competencies available in different government agencies and development organizations.
• Provide support to organization of workshops, seminars, training and delivery of outputs (products).
• Coordinates with various government and non-governmental agencies regarding update the project information

Functional Competencies:
Advocacy/Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences
• Makes research of contacts in the media, government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society in other stakeholders for COOPI’s advocacy efforts
• Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches

Job Knowledge / Technical Expertise

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Creating Visibility for COOPI

• Disseminate information and materials on COOPI’s development/humanitarian activities
• Maintains networks and knowledge assets for use in visibility and image activities
• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for COOPI

Client Orientation

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from reputed university in Mass Communications & Journalism, Media Studies, Communications Strategy, Development Communication or relevant discipline.

Experience:

• At least 2 - 3 years of relevant experience at the national level in providing communication packages to promote the activities of organization, preferably a development organization.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and graphic designing.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Spoken and written fluency in English and Hausa.

Salary Range
COOPI Salary Scale.

Application Closing Date
19th September 2025.

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

Note: Application is on a rolling basis.