Community Engagement Officers (Anambra, Ebonyi, Kwara and Gombe) At Jhpiego
Jhpiego is seeking a Community Engagement Officer to lead demand generation and community mobilization efforts for integrated health services, including Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and communicable diseases (e.g., HIV, TB, malaria). The officer will coordinate with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen community participation, increase service uptake, and ensure culturally appropriate and rights-based approaches to health promotion. This role requires a culturally competent professional who can navigate complex social dynamics around sensitive health issues while advocating for improved health outcomes and rights-based approaches within Nigeria’s diverse community contexts.
Responsibilities
Integrated Community Mobilization and Rights Advocacy
- Design and implement comprehensive community engagement strategies that integrate SRHR and communicable disease programming while promoting human rights principles
- Lead demand generation campaigns using interpersonal communication, community dialogues, and mass media to address the integration of SRHR and communicable activities
- Mobilize community influencers, youth groups, women’s associations, and traditional leaders to support health initiatives and address stigma and discrimination related to SRHR and communicable diseases
- Advocate for community ownership of integrated health programs while promoting dignity and non-discrimination
CSO Coordination & Capacity Building
- Coordinate and support CSOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) involved in health service delivery and advocacy.
- Facilitate training, mentoring, and joint planning sessions with CSOs to enhance their capacity in community mobilization and health promotion.
- Monitor CSO activities and ensure alignment with project goals and standards.
Multi-Stakeholder Relationship Building
- Represent Jhpiego in community-level forums and technical working groups.
- Engage with local government authorities, ward development committees, school-based management committees, community health insurance schemes, religious institutions, and community gatekeepers to foster enabling environments for SRHR and communicable disease interventions.
- Foster relationships with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and civil society groups working on health and human rights
- Facilitate regular multi-stakeholder meetings that promote inclusive participation and shared decision-making at the community level
Integrated Health System Strengthening
- Support training and capacity building of community-based and civil society organizations.
- Facilitate community-facility linkages for SRHR and communicable diseases planning services
- Promote community ownership of health programs through participatory planning and implementation
- Support the establishment and strengthening of community health committees with representation from diverse groups
- Encourage community feedback mechanisms and accountability systems for health service quality.
Community Data Collection & Participatory Monitoring
- Support the collection of community-level data on SRHR and communicable disease health service access, quality, and community perceptions
- Track and report on community engagement activities, challenges, and success stories across integrated programming
- Support community-led advocacy initiatives based on locally identified priorities and concerns and facilitate community feedback sessions to program management
- Work closely with the SRHR Technical Advisor and consortium partners to ensure community-level data informs program improvement.
- Contribute to the development of success stories, case studies, and learning briefs.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, Community Development, Public Health, Human Rights, Sociology, or related field
- Additional certificates in community mobilization, human rights advocacy, SRHR programming, or communicable disease prevention preferred
- Training in participatory approaches, conflict resolution, or gender transformative programming is an added advantage
- Minimum 5 years of experience in community engagement, preferably in integrated SRHR health programming, health promotion or social mobilization
- Strong understanding of human rights principles and rights-based programming approaches
- Proven experience working with CSOs, community structures, and local government
- Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Fluency in English (written and verbal) – essential
- Working Knowledge of the language of any of the locations is an asset
Working Conditions
- Primarily field-based position with minimal office time (85% field work)
- Extensive travel within assigned communities, including remote and difficult-to-access areas
- May require overnight stays in rural communities during intensive program implementation and supportive supervisory visits.
How to apply
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Please apply using this link: https://jobs-jhpiego.icims.com/jobs/7108/community-engagement-officers-%28anambra%2c-ebonyi%2c-kwara-and-gombe%29/job
Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found
Only shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation for an interview
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.
