Job Information
International Rescue Committee SRH Community Mobilization Assistant in Gusau, Nigeria
Requisition ID: req52288
Job Title: SRH Community Mobilization Assistant
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Location: Gusau, Nigeria
Work Arrangement:In-person
Job Description
Background/IRC Summary:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to people affected by war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri, Monguno, and Gwoza of Borno state, Damaturu of Yobe State, and a current extension to Zamfara and Katsina states, northwest Nigeria. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs for primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, economic recovery, and development.
The country program developed a strategic plan in the first half of 2021. IRC aim to provide the best possible impact for some of the most vulnerable children, women, and men. In all that we do, IRC strives to deliver through IRC’s core values ofIntegrity, Accountability, Service and Equality.
Project Overview
The Integrated emergency response to the displaced population in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States, NW Nigeria project is an anticipated consortium project proposed to be led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with four parnters. The project will be funded by Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), USAID aims to provide integrated multi-sectoral lifesaving assistance in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection and Multi-purpose Cash to the displaced populations in Zamfara State (Anka & Gusau LGAs), Sokoto State (Goronyo & Rabah LGAs) and Katsina State (Batagarawa & Katsina LGAs) in NW Nigeria. The consortium program theory of change believes that if comprehensive humanitarian assistance in health, nutrition, food assistance, WASH and protection services is tailored to meet the needs of the conflict-affected displaced population, THEN, women, men, girls, boys and vulnerable IDPs life will be saved, alleviating their suffering, and maintaining their human dignity. The consortium requires a dedicated senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager to spearhead program technical support, consolidation, and harmonization of program quality tracking tools in all the sectors by the different consortium members.
Scope Of Work: The community Mobilization assistant’s is responsible for the following major roles; the implementation of educational and promotional activities as well as conducting all community awareness / mobilization activities related to Reproductive Health (RH) for women, girls, men and boys in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State. He / she will supervise a network of community volunteers and traditional birth attendants and work closely with the other members of the reproductive health and GBV team. Design and lead efforts to improve community awareness and acceptance of reproductive health services. Implement community mobilization efforts to improve women, girls, men and boys’ access to and use of reproductive health services.
Major Responsibilities: Under the technical supervision of Health Manager -, the responsibilities of the Community Mobilizer include but are not limited to the following:
Community Activities:
Conducts assessments and surveys in the community to identify trends and needs.
Participation in the design, plan, and input to the work-plans, based on identified trends and needs.
Implementation of community mobilization activities to specifically access “hard to reach” and vulnerable beneficiaries.
Organize culturally sensitive educational and promotional activities to raise awareness on RH topics/services, including Family Planning, Mother and Neonatal health, Antenatal Care, and Postnatal Care, Awareness of STIs and infection prevention, Referral, and guidance for survivors of sexual assault.
Contribute to the development of a variety of health education materials and tools to fit the context.
Mobilize the community, women and girls, women’s groups, community groups etc. to increase RH awareness and service utilization, together with RH and GBV teams.
Liaise with midwives and community health workers to track and monitor women/clients targeted by the program.
Ensure the safe and confidential referral of identified survivors of sexual assault to GBV services.
Organize meetings with community representatives, and target groups as needed.
Engage community leaders, stake holders and influential members of the community in creating awareness and community support for Reproductive Health.
Participate in the recruitment of community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants, Peer educators and Men champions.
Training of community health volunteers, Traditional birth attendants, Peer Educators and Men champions on RH topics/service promotion, hygiene promotion, waste management, infection prevention etc.
Supervise community volunteers and traditional birth attendants during planned community activities.
Participate in community workshops, meetings, or any discussions on reproductive health.
Participate in the development and translation of all messages in the most appropriate language.
Active participation in the regular RH/WPE meetings.
Identify advocacy concerns, Initiate, and coordinate advocacy actions.
Monitoring Responsibilities:
Keep record of all the health education/promotional sessions (disaggregated by gender/ age/ IDP/Host etc.).
Compile weekly summary of community mobilization activities.
Responsible for compiling timely monthly community mobilization activity reports and data compilation.
Other Duties:
Ensure that all distribution of community mobilization items is done in a timely manner according to distribution plan with relevant supporting documentations.
Keep a record of distributed/used materials and provides a monthly stock report.
Any other assigned task by supervisors
Confidentiality:
Ensure non-disclosure of any information whatsoever about practices and IRC activities to any other person or organization without permission, except in the normal performance of the service.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Health Manager
Position directly supervises: Community SRH/ PHC Volunteers, CHIPS, and Traditional Birth Attendants
Indirect Reporting: Health Manager/ Senior Health Officer
Internal: WPE Community Mobilizers, Case Workers, and Midwives
External: Community Leaders/Stakeholders
Qualifications
Education:
Registered Nurse/midwife or CHEW. Additional qualifications in community engagement are a plus.
Work Experience:
Two years’ experience of working as a community mobilizer٫ or other similar position.
Significant experience of stakeholders’ engagement.
Experience with office management software like MS Office (MS Excel and MS Word, specifically)
Strong organization skills with a problem-solving attitude
Very good in time management and ability to work under pressure with high level of flexibility.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with close attention to detail.
Languages:
English Fluency (spoken and written). Knowledge of local languages, including Hausa is an added advantage.
Computer / Other Tech Requirements:
Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to Travel:
10% ability to travel to field locations.
Standards of Professional Conduct:The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.
Gender Equality:IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Working Environment
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.