Community Engagement and Referral Specialist

The MCGL/RISE Integrated Health Project Community and Referral Specialist/s will play a crucial role in strengthening community engagement and ensuring effective referral pathways for pregnant women newborns and children under five years old within the project areas. This position will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with community leaders community health workers (CHWs) and health facilities to improve access to quality MNCH Nutrition services including malaria where applicable. S/he will also focus on enhancing demand creation activities promoting healthy behaviors and supporting the identification and referral of vulnerable populations thereby strengthening community-facility linkages for a seamless access to life-saving quality health services. Additionally where required S/he will be responsible for coordinating and supervising sub-awards to indigenous implementing partners leading MCGL/RISE community engagement efforts.

Locations: Abuja Ebonyi Kebbi

Community Mobilization and Engagement:

• Develop and implement community mobilization strategies to promote awareness of MNCH Nutrition Malaria services and encourage service utilization including antenatal care skilled birth attendance postnatal care immunization nutrition and malaria.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with community leaders including women and youth religious leaders and other key influencers to foster community ownership and support for the project.
• Work with existing community governance structures and committees such as Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to promote MNCH N practices and monitor progress.
• Identify and address community-specific challenges and barriers to accessing MNCH N services.

Strengthening Referral Pathways:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive referral network of secondary healthcare facilities including primary health centers hospitals and specialized clinics.
• Strengthen referral linkages between communities and healthcare facilities to ensure timely access to appropriate care.
• Support training of CHWs and other relevant community members on referral protocols documentation and follow-up procedures.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with health facility staff including CHEWs CHWs midwives nurses and doctors to facilitate smooth referrals.
• Monitor referral completion rates and identify bottlenecks in the referral system working with relevant stakeholders to address them.

Advocacy and Networking:

• Advocate for improved access to MNCH N services at the community and local government levels.
• Participate in relevant MNCH N working groups and forums on behalf or Jhpiego
• Build relationships with other organizations community-based organizations faith-based organizations and civil society groups working on working in the MNCH N sector
• Facilitate regular multi-stakeholder meetings that promote inclusive participation and shared decision-making at the community level

Training and Capacity Building:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of training programs for CHWs healthcare providers and community members on relevant MNCH N topics.
• Facilitate trainings and workshops and mentorship to CHWs on MNCH N topics including antenatal care safe delivery newborn care immunization nutrition and malaria.
• Support the development and implementation of community-based health education programs.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze data on community engagement activities referral patterns and MNCH N service utilization.
• Prepare regular reports on progress towards project targets including key indicators such as antenatal care coverage skilled birth attendance rates and immunization coverage.
• Maintain accurate records of community mobilization activities and training sessions.
• Contribute to the development of project reports and presentations.

Other Duties:

• Participate in project planning meetings and contribute to the development of project work plans.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

• Bachelors degree in public health Nursing Midwifery Community Health or a related field. A Masters degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 6-7 years of experience in implementing community-based MNCH programs in Nigeria.
• Proven experience in working with Community Health Workers (CHWs) strengthening community health systems and building relationships with community leaders.
• Strong understanding of MNCHN challenges and opportunities in Nigeria.
• Experience in data collection analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint).
• Fluency in English and the local language of the assigned location (Ebonyi Kebbi or FCT Abuja) is required.
• Experience working with US-funded projects is an advantage.

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

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter resume and references.

For further information about Jhpiego visit our website at

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.

EEO is the Law

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