Advocacy and Communications Manager at CARE International

CARE International places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In 2021, CARE International worked in over 100 countries, reaching 100 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

JOB SUMMARY

CARE International in Nigeria is seeking a Communication and Advocacy Manager for RESILAC 2 program in Borno State. The Communication and Advocacy Manager for the RESILAC Project will lead the design and implementation of communication and advocacy strategies to amplify the impact of project activities, foster stakeholder engagement, and drive policy advocacy. This position supports the project\'s broader objectives in resilience, social cohesion, peacebuilding, and economic recovery in the Lake Chad Basin. In addition to overseeing content creation, media relations, and advocacy campaigns, the manager will support capacity building, policy advocacy, and community engagement efforts. Specific activities include supporting local government authorities (LGAs) in the development of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and development plans, leading advocacy on mental health policies, and facilitating cross-border economic activities and coordination. The manager will work closely with project stakeholders, including government agencies, community leaders, CSOs, and regional entities, to ensure inclusive and effective implementation. 

The RESILAC Consortium, composed of Action Against Hunger (lead), CARE and Groupe URD, has been implementing a resilience project for the social and inclusive economic recovery of Lake Chad (RESILAC) in the four countries around Lake Chad (Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad). The program donors, French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union (EU) have expressed their willingness to continue their actions in support of resilience, economic recovery, and social cohesion in the Lake Chad Basin through RESILAC 2 amounting to €40 million, which will aim to consolidate the achievements of the RESILAC 1 project and develop an approach in other areas while considering changes in the context and regional strategies as well as the strengths and the weaknesses of RESILAC 1.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Job Responsibility #1: Communication Strategy Development and Implementation

• Design and implement a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with the RESILAC project’s objectives and donor guidelines.
• Oversee the production of communication materials, including newsletters, social media content, press releases, and advocacy materials, ensuring compliance with donor visibility guidelines.
• Ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels and platforms.
• Document and disseminate success stories, project achievements, and lessons learned to inform advocacy and public engagement efforts.
• Support project teams in organizing learning events, webinars, and stakeholder workshops to promote knowledge sharing.

Job Responsibility #2: Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead advocacy campaigns to promote investment in health, education, and WASH sectors in RESILAC LGAs.
• Collaborate with state and national stakeholders to support the review and update of Nigeria’s National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) policy.
• Facilitate advocacy efforts for cross-border economic activities, including supporting policy-level coordination to harmonize trade policies and enhance women and youth participation.
• Represent the RESILAC project in public forums, national and regional advocacy meetings, and cross-sectoral dialogues.
• Develop policy briefs, fact sheets, and other advocacy tools to support evidence-based policymaking and stakeholder engagement.

Job Responsibility #3: Capacity Building and Policy Support

• Support capacity-building initiatives for deconcentrated technical services at state, LGA, and community levels, including organizing Training of Trainers (TOTs) and cascading capacity development efforts.
• Engage DRR committees and local development committees (LDCs) to integrate gender inclusion, leadership skills, and disaster preparedness into their planning and advocacy efforts.
• Facilitate workshops to develop or update LGA development plans, ensuring the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in decision-making processes.
• Train and support CSOs, CBOs, and small enterprises in leadership, negotiation, and cross-border business management to strengthen their role in value chains.

Job Responsibility #4: Knowledge Management and Monitoring

• Track and evaluate the impact of communication and advocacy initiatives, using data and feedback to refine strategies.
• Collaborate with DRR committees to document and disseminate community disaster preparedness plans and best practices.
• Prepare periodic reports on communication and advocacy activities, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and project objectives.
• Ensure that Early Warning Systems (EWS) are activated and functional, and work with communities to develop gender-inclusive preparedness plans.

Job Responsibility #5: Media and Public Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets to secure coverage of the project’s activities and advocacy efforts.
• Prepare press releases, organize media visits, and coordinate interviews with key stakeholders.
• Oversee the production of high-quality media content, including videos and photography, to amplify the project’s impact.
• Ensure compliance with donor branding and visibility requirements in all media engagements.

Other Responsibilities:

• Other Responsibilities as Assigned
• Contribute to CARE’s resource mobilisation efforts

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Studies, or related fields.
• At least 6 years of experience in communication and advocacy roles, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing successful advocacy campaigns and communication strategies.
• Knowledge of disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, and gender inclusion.
• Proven ability to engage with government stakeholders, CSOs, and CBOs at local and national levels.
• Excellent writing, editing, and content development skills.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms, content management systems, and graphic design tools.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Knowledge of local languages (e.g., Hausa, Kanuri, or Fulfulde).

Desired

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience working on multi-donor projects (e.g., EU, AFD).
• Expertise in multimedia production, including video editing and graphic design

Competencies:

• Integrity and Trust
• Building Effective Teams
• Drive for Results
• Negotiation and Influence
• Organizational Agility
• Approachability
• Strategic Thinking

NOTE:

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CARE considers all applicants on the basis of merit without prejudice to race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, colour, national origin, marital status, or veteran status.
• There are individuals who may use CARE’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job seekers. Please note that CARE will not request for any monetary payments from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.

Qualified Women and Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Method of Application

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