Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative is a youth-led, impact-driven, result-oriented, non-profit and non-governmental organization that is committed to alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable and most marginalized people in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization aims to bring about positive changes and to inspire the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, especially women and children, to attain self-reliance and sufficiency while providing access to equal opportunities through advocacy, collaborative networking, capacity building and empowerment. We seek to enhance the ability of our clients to make integrated and right decisions through the many and varied programs that will help them physically, psychologically, and intellectually grow and thrive.

RIA commenced operations fully in Oct. 2020 in Borno State complimenting the efforts of partners and humanitarian actors by providing humanitarian support to unreached internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp like settings, host communities and returnee populations. We are working consciously hard to improve lives in the following thematic areas, education in emergencies, protection: child protection, gender-based violence and peace building and conflict resolution and software component of WaSH.

Job Overview/Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Project Officer to join Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative (RIA). The Project Officer will be responsible for coordinating and implementing a 6-month health education, awareness, and promotion program among fleeing Cameroonian refugee communities in Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State. The primary focus of this project is to improve maternal and child health, promote safe child deliveries, address disease outbreaks, and provide essential support services to vulnerable populations.

Reporting and Working Relationships:

Position Reports to Project Manager
Position directly supervises: Community Volunteers

Indirect Reporting: MEL Officer 
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Partners, Donors, Community Stakeholders

External:    

Responsibilities:                                                                                                              

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Implementation: Coordinate and oversee the implementation of the health education, awareness, and promotion program targeting Cameroonian refugee communities. Ensure timely execution of project activities in accordance with the project proposal, work plan, and budget.
• Community Sensitization: Conduct sensitization campaigns, using Rick Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategies and motorized campaigns with public address systems, to raise awareness on maternal and child health, childhood illnesses, severe acute malnutrition, cholera, malaria, and other health-related issues.
• Hygiene Promotion: Develop and implement hygiene promotion initiatives to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with malaria and other harmful health practices.
• Referral Network Strengthening: Collaborate with health facilities and community health volunteers to streamline community-level referrals of complicated cases to available health facilities. Support the training and capacity building of community health volunteers to monitor health and nutrition, raise awareness on health practices, and facilitate access to health services.
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Sensitization: Conduct sensitization and awareness programs on gender-based violence to protect women and girls from GBV. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure appropriate treatment and support for survivors of GBV.
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Provide life-saving mental health and psychosocial support services to children and caregivers. Utilize structured recreation activities, manuals, and kits to promote emotional well-being and resilience among beneficiaries.
• Child Protection Monitoring: Identify and train adolescent boys and girls to support child protection monitoring in camps and communities. Establish child-friendly reporting and accountability desks and empower adolescents to report and address child protection issues.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, international development, social sciences, or a related field. A master's degree is desirable.

Experience:

• Proven experience in project coordination and implementation, preferably in health or humanitarian contexts.

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

Qualifications and Skills:

• Strong understanding of maternal and child health issues, disease prevention, hygiene promotion, and gender-based violence.
• Familiarity with community engagement strategies, behaviour change communication, and referral systems.
• Knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support approaches is an advantage.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and NGOs.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in using computer applications, including MS Office suite.

• Standards of Professional Conduct:  The RIA Initiative and its workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the i-CHAIR values – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Compassion, Humanity Accountability, Impact and Respect.  In accordance with these values, the RIA Initiative operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Gender-equality, Whistleblowing, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
• Gender Equality: RIA Initiative 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.
• RIA Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• RIA Initiative considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.