Citizen Engagement / Capacity Building Specialist at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Citizen Engagement/Capacity Building Specialist

Location: Akwa Ibom
Start Date: April 2021

Background

The purpose of the five-year (2020-2025) “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) Activity is to increase the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of selected states and local governments (LGAs) in Nigeria.
This will be achieved by: strengthening governance systems (with a focus on public financial management [PFM] and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation) related to the delivery of services in key sectors (basic education, primary health care, and water, sanitation and hygiene [WASH]); increasing government responsiveness to citizen needs and priorities; and improving government and civil society capacity to manage conflict (through work on prevention, mitigation and reconciliation with the same sectoral partners, not stand-alone assistance to the police or judiciary).
State2State will achieve this purpose by facilitating the strengthening of subnational governance systems in a sustainable manner, supporting the efforts of local reformers and building on locally derived solutions including, to the extent possible, reforms already working in other parts of Nigeria.

Position Objectives:

The Citizen Engagement/Capacity Building Specialist in Akwa Ibom will support the implementation of advocacy, oversight, and engagement activities and ensure the advocacy and or oversight of interventions in Akwa Ibom.
S/he will also address gaps in capacity through range of technical assistance, mentoring and peer learning, ensuring sustainable capacity for implementing reforms.

Responsibilities

The State Citizen Engagement/Capacity Building Specialist will collaborate with relevant stakeholders within the state and beyond to design training and grants for local CSOs and media on sector-specific procurement monitoring; support the co-create grants to engage CSOs and media to design activities that support reform objectives in using audit reports to monitor service delivery efficiency and will hold co-creation workshops twice a year.
S/he will facilitate engagement among State Boards of Internal Revenue, State Ministry of Finance, and local chambers of commerce to discuss tax policy options and their impact on the private sector growth using DAI analytic tools to assess how new tax and fee rates may affect women and men differently; support the coalitions of complementary organizations, including think-tanks, private sector and professional associations, as well as traditional and faith-based organizations, around issues linked to state reform plans.
The incumbents will facilitate, coordinate, track and report on the engagement of citizens in all core activities of priority sectors; conduct surveys and use citizen scorecards to measure their trust in elected (or appointed) government officials and their satisfaction with health, education, and WASH services; strengthen individual and institutional capacities of citizens/CSOs for good governance reforms, ensuring sustainable skills’ building and knowledge applications; and carry out any other function(s) as may be assigned by the Line Manager/ Deputy Chief of Party/Chief of Party.
Reporting: The Citizen Engagement/Capacity Building Specialist will report to the State Lead Akwa Ibom and, work closely with the Citizen Engagement/CSO Director.

Minimum Requirements

A relevant degree or HND in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or relevant field required. Master degree is preferable.
At least nine (9) years of relevant professional experience. Requires experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to governance activities under a USG instrument, building technical and organizational capacity of CSOs in areas advocacy planning and engagement of government and stakeholders.
Stated experience in working for or with civil society to drive a reform agenda.
Stated experience in community mobilization and civic engagement.
Stated experience using facilitative, participatory approaches to organizational and technical capacity development.
Demonstrated effective training, capacity building and coaching skills, networking, interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict, and ethical management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft Office).
Previous experience or familiarity with working in activity’s priority sectors in the state will be an added advantage.
Fluency in English language