State Facilitator-Sokoto

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Communication, Public health, Community Nutrition, Community Development, or related technical field.
• Fluency in English & knowledge of the local language of the duty station is an asset.
• 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the state / LGA level in program planning, management, monitoring & evaluation in immunization programs.
• Experience in social mobilization, advocacy & communication in health related programs, polio eradication campaigns, IEC materials development, training / capacity building & team building.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies as well as programming policies & procedures in international development cooperation.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan & execute ideas & impart knowledge & tech skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi cultural environment & establish harmonious & effective working relationships both within & outside the organization.

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Communication, Public health, Community Nutrition, Community Development, or related technical field.
• Fluency in English & knowledge of the local language of the duty station is an asset.
• 3 - 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the state / LGA level in program planning, management, monitoring & evaluation in immunization programs.
• Experience in social mobilization, advocacy & communication in health related programs, polio eradication campaigns, IEC materials development, training / capacity building & team building.
• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies as well as programming policies & procedures in international development cooperation.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan & execute ideas & impart knowledge & tech skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi cultural environment & establish harmonious & effective working relationships both within & outside the organization.

Role objectives    

• Work with a cluster of LGA / ward teams to ensure deeper ward analysis, planning & implementation of strategic communications interventions & be responsible for basic monitoring. The specific communication interventions to be implemented in each area will be informed by local knowledge & the unique characteristics of the wards / settlements.
• Support the development of LGA social mobilization action plans for polio & non polio SIAs targeting high risk wards in the high risk LGAs within the state.
• Facilitate, in coordination with our clients Field Offices (FO's), the effective use of social mobilization funds channelled through the government departments at the state, LGA & ward levels for SIA.
• Support training of state / LGA / ward staff & vaccination personnel in social mobilization activities, including interpersonal communications.
• Advocate with LGA / ward policymakers & religious & traditional leadership for support for implementing polio & non polio campaigns / RI.
• Participate in planning & implementing media & communication activities & work with media groups & networks for coordinating our client supported programs during SIPDs.
• Work directly & collaborate with traditional district & ward leaders to increase community participation & OPV acceptance to reduce missed children during campaigns.
• Design & implement group specific strategies to reach hard to reach, nomadic & minority groups at LGA, district & ward levels.
• Participate in state / LGA / Ward IPD management team activities geared towards successfully implementing SIAs.
• Supervise data collection at the state, LGA, district & ward levels. Analyse data for specific trends / patterns of non compliance, poor coverage, dropouts, left outs, etc. & undertake coordinated actions to facilitate the process of reaching such communities / households.
• Coordinate stakeholders such as NGOs, CBOs, religious groups, women’s groups & Youth groups for their involvement & participation in polio eradication activities. Work closely with other partners like WHO, ROTARY, Red Cross, N TLC / SPHCDA & other relevant government partners.
• Ensure strong supervision of LGA Facilitators & other polio communication team members in their cluster of LGAs within the accountability framework.
• Support all required activities in respective clusters of LGAs to increase coverage for routine immunization.
• Support any emergency non polio SIAs such as COVID-19, as required by the organization & any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Expected output include but are not limited to:
• Based on the major tasks outlined above, a work plan should be submitted for approval by the supervising facilitator / SBC Specialist / Health Specialist, 2 weeks after joining with clear monthly deliverables for each month of the contract period.
• A detailed work plan at the beginning & monthly work plans thereafter (1st week of each month).
• Monthly report of activities, outcomes, mission reports & Notes for the Record (NFR) on meetings, etc. (monthly).
• Accountability dashboard indicators submitted monthly & strict adherence to the accountability framework in the state.
• One report after each IPD by using a supplied template on intervention & other social data tools / social mobilization indicators (as per IPD conducted).
• One end of contract report.
• Expected results include but are not limited to:
• Data driven & evidence based high risk operational plans with strong communication components in place across all LGAS within the assigned cluster of LGAs contributing to a reduction in missed children & quality campaigns (every campaign).
• Immunization barriers identified, analyzed & overcome by social mobilization groups & key influencers (updated monthly in all LGAs).
• The number of missed children & non compliance is reduced through intensified social mobilization activities.
• Full implementation of the accountability framework across all LGAs within the cluster leading to high quality immunization activities (monthly dashboard updated & quarterly review of Facilitators).
• Polio & RI, M&E reports from LGA are available at state, FO & Abuja levels (weekly & monthly reports to be submitted).
• Functioning social mobilization committee & polio task forces are in place across all LGAs within the assigned cluster of LGAs.
• The volunteer expansion is highly operational, delivering results as reported through accurate & timely reporting (weekly reports submitted).
• The primary outcomes will include but are not limited to:
• Quality implementation of all polio & non polio IPDs / SIA reduces (to almost zero) missed children (non compliant or absent) & zero dose children.
• Increased commitment from LGA officials, traditional leaders & religious leaders through frequent LGA Facilitator feedback & engagement on all SBC activities for our clients programs.
• Social mobilization working groups & committees at LGAs hold regular meetings & use social mobilization data to plan, monitor & implement SBC interventions in polio, RI, health, nutrition, education, WASH & child protection.
• Improved use of social & Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) data in communication strategy development & planning by the LGA team, including social mobilization working group members through technical inputs.

Project reporting    

• This role reports to the line manager.