Hygiene Promotion Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. The organization prioritizes candidates from the regions in which it operates and is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults.

Job Overview:
The Hygiene Promotion Officer will play a crucial role within the Hygiene Promotion and Community Mobilisation Team, focusing on delivering support to internally displaced persons (IDP) host communities and returnees in Plateau State, Nigeria. This position involves working closely with partners and locally recruited Community Mobilisers to implement hygiene promotion messaging aimed at fostering hygiene behavior change. The officer will also engage in community mobilization efforts to support shelter and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure sensitization and messaging. Given the high vulnerabilities of the targeted populations, including significant trauma levels, the role will also emphasize Protection and Gender Mainstreaming across Shelter, WASH, and Non-Food Item (NFI) programs. The position is based in Jos, Plateau State, and requires a proactive approach to community engagement and hygiene promotion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Hygiene Promotion Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including planning and implementing needs assessments and baseline studies, conducting hygiene promotion sessions and household visits, and organizing field activities that mitigate WASH-related health risks. This includes training and supervising Community Mobilizers, creating and organizing Latrine Maintenance Teams, and mentoring local community leaders on the operation and maintenance of sanitation and water infrastructure. The officer will lead cleaning campaigns, identify waste collection points, and set up monitoring systems for Community Mobilizers to ensure daily inspections of community latrines and solid waste collection points. Additionally, the officer will conduct public hygiene promotion sessions, engage children in hygiene education, distribute water purification tablets, and mobilize key community stakeholders for awareness events. Regular reporting and documentation of success stories and best practices will also be part of the responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a good knowledge and experience of working with local partners, particularly in the context of hygiene promotion and community mobilization related to water and sanitation activities. Familiarity with the culture of the affected population is essential, along with strong communication skills to effectively convey hygiene matters. A demonstrated commitment to gender-responsive programming is required, as well as quantitative skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting. Excellent organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication skills are necessary, along with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should also have experience in training and capacity building through technical assistance and mentoring, as well as a commitment to key development frameworks like the Integral Human Development Framework.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a first degree in a relevant field such as public health, hygiene promotion, community development, education, or community water supply and sanitation is required for this position. This educational background will provide the foundational knowledge necessary for effective hygiene promotion and community mobilization efforts.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of practical experience in community development, health, WASH, or similar programs. Experience in a Gender, Protection, or Community Mobilizer role, preferably with an international NGO, is highly desirable. This experience will ensure that the candidate is well-equipped to handle the complexities of the role and effectively engage with the community.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of Hausa is also required. These language skills are essential for effective communication with community members and stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, and requires the candidate to be willing and able to travel up to 50% of the time. The role involves supervising partners' Hygiene Promotion Officers and community mobilizers, conducting performance evaluations, and maintaining key working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.