Full-Time URGENT: National Social Development and Social Development and Community Engagement Adviser

The Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) Programme is a 5-year aid programme which operates alongside with PRRINN that focuses on strengthening Routine Immunization in Northern Nigeria. The MNCH programme aims to address the high rate of maternal and newborn mortality in selected Northern Nigerian States. This programme is funded by the Norwegian Government through a partnership with DFID. It is managed by a consortium of 3 organizations namely; Health Partners International UK, Save the Children UK, and GRID Consulting Nigeria.

In joint partnership with other stakeholders in the Health Sector and Civil Societies; PPRINN-MNCH provides quantifiable support to improve Primary HealthCare service delivery and systems in Northern Nigeria. Both managed by a team of locally and internationally recruited professionals. Its programme activities are carried out in Jigawa, Kastina, Yobe, and Zamfara states with coordination from its programme head Office in Kano. The programme seeks to recruit a Social Mobilization and Development Advisor in its Kano office;

As the technical lead for the programme on social development, community engagement and equity issues; the National Social Development and Development and Community Engagement Adviser will be based in the National office of the programme. S/he will provide technical lead and advice to programme activities in the operating states as well as get involved in the documentation and dissemination of programme success and lessons learnt as the programme draws close. Other key functions include;

·         Engaging with the Federal Ministry of Health and 4 progeamme states to build capacity to improve demand-side constraints of awareness, access and affordability to MNCH services;

·         Providing technical advisory support to relevant partners (Government and Civil societies) as well as to the PRRINN-MNCH state teams; to ensure that the community engagement approach supported by the programme to date is scaled up and has become fully embedded in the daily activities of local partners;

·         Providing technical support to the programme’s voice and accountability work-stream;

·         Overseeing key activities such as implementation of programme surveys;

Candidates must hold a postgraduate qualification in Social Development, Health management, Public Health or any other related disciplines with a minimum of 10 years’ work experience at a senior level.

Previous experience in an advisory role and in providing technical support in the area of social development to health projects in Nigeria is essential for this position.

Prior experience in coordinating activities across multiple sites and engaging with senior government officials on social development issues at the highest level are essential skills required for the position.

A sound understanding of MNCH issues in Nigeria and of DFID-funded health projects will be an added advantage.

The appointment term will be for a period of 1 year for the position with an initial 6 months probationary period. The programme offers very competitive salary packages. Local terms and conditions will apply.

Interested candidates who meet the requirements listed above should submit an application letter and a copy of their recent CV through the appropriate link at: www.gridconsulting.net. All applications must be submitted by Friday, 21^st December, 2012. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Interviews will take place in January with a view to engaging the best candidate immediately.