Local Engagement Officer at Save the Children 82 views0 applications

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential. We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to
achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria
Role Purpose

• The Local Engagement Officer will contribute to Save the Children’s efforts to influence and bring about change in the awareness, attitudes, behaviour’s and policies related to the rights of children in the country programme and in the state of posting.

Key Areas of Accountability
Strategy Development:

• Support the development of the implementation and advocacy strategy for gender equity.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the programme objectives and initiatives, both short and long term, encompassing a wide range of issues particularly on social protection.
• Contribute to all efforts to raise/nurture CSO’s and champions for programme and actively participate in all Save the Children and CSO Coalition driven activities in the state.
• Keep a watching brief on policy makers and other key players in relation to child protection issues and identify opportunities to raise awareness and influence policy change.
• Engage with the state and local governments in policies review

Influencing:

• Develop good knowledge of state and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes, traditional and religious structure and any other key decision making structures and how to influence them.
• Ensure Save the Children visibility and acceptance in the state and LGAs
• Provide support for research, analysis and documentation that underpin the development of the programme and used as evidence based advocacy to influence both at state and national levels.
• Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.
• Undertake a range of lobbying, communications and other activities to inform and persuade policy makers, religious/traditional leaders, community members, donors and politicians.

Collaboration & Representation:

• Maintain a strong relationship with the Advocacy officer and other state LEOs in the states.
• Strong relationship with other partners should be maintained.
• Develop and maintain a network of external contacts with key individuals in the communities, government, NGO sector, civil society and the media.
• Represent and act as a spokesperson for Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at state level or as directed.
• Provide leadership to partner CSO’s and maintain a strong relationship.
• Facilitate meetings of the coalition groups

Programme Development:

• Support the programme team in the development of research methodologies, data analysis, M&E. report writing and publication.
• Ensure clear links and mutual reinforcement between programmatic approaches and advocacy strategies.
• Write regular progress reports (monthly reports of activities carried out in the state and LGAs) including annual impact monitoring reports.
• Perform other tasks, as required, to ensure the smooth running of the country programme.

Qualifications and Experience
Administrative & General Skills:

• The post holder will possess a high degree of analytical skill, political acumen, ability to facilitate change, ability to influence, and ability to communicate key advocacy messages effectively and convincingly to a diverse audience at local, national and international levels.

Essential:

• B.Sc/HND in Health, Education, Communications or related social science field.
• Minimum of 2 years in a similar role preferably within the NGO sector
• Substantial experience in child protection, advocacy and policy development / research, sexual and gender analysis and assessments in the development context.
• A Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local and state levels.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society and media sectors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet) and ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
•  Fluency in English and Hausa (written & Spoken)
• Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.
• Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
• Good understanding of strategies for achieving sustainable child health, protection and education policies through participatory processes, and the links with gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.

Desirable:

• Experience in training others in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
• Prior work experience in advocacy in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of the policies, functions, structures and decision-making processes of key national institutions with regard to child protection and sexual and gender disparities.
• Experience working with children on protection, health and education will be an added advantage