Save the Children is a leading international organization helping children in need around the world. First established in the UK in 1919, separate national organizations have been set up in more than twenty-eight countries, sharing the aim of improving the lives of children through education, health care and economic opportunities, as well as emergency aid in cases of natural disasters, war and conflict.

In Nigeria, Save the Children has been working since 2001. The early focus was on getting children actively involved in shaping the decisions that affect their lives. Today, Save the Children is working in seven federal states - Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna - focusing on providing basic healthcare and protecting children.

POSITION : Government Liaison Specialist

Job Description

The Government Liaison Specialist in Lagos State will take the lead in ensuring multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary coordination at the government level aimed at the implementation of the 7 point plan.
The Government Liaison Specialist will be responsible for all levels of coordination with government institutions in programme planning and implementation.
The Government Liaison Specialist will also be responsible for ensuring evidence emerging  from implementation of the 7 point plan are continually presented to the focal government authorities (State and local agencies) to inform decisions at all levels relevant to the 7 point plan. He/she will provide technical and liaison support to all SDI team members in having unfettered access to relevant leadership within government structure to facilitate timely accomplishment of all project outputs in a timely manner.
Most importantly, the Government Liaison Specialist will continually take proactive steps that will foster healthy and mutually beneficial collaboration with the Lagos State Government and SCI SDI team.
Together with the CoP and other technical leads, he/she will also support coordination with other key stakeholders like UNICEF, WHO, PATHS2 and CHAI within the context of the 7 point plan.

Key Areas of Accountability
 Policy and Programming:

Support effective collaboration and coordination with Lagos State Government on the SDI programme activities for the delivery and mainstreaming of the 7 point plan.
Identify and communicate strategic opportunities to mainstream the 7 point plan on the activities and policy framework of the Lagos State Government.
Provide informed technical input to SDI project advocacy strategies and plans that will keep the 7 point plan on the front burner of relevant government agencies to ensure adequate resource allocation and prioritization of associated service delivery.
Provide technical input to the development and implementation of SCI MoU with the Lagos State Government within the context of the 7 point plan.
Make technical input into the planning and design of project specific operational researches, including baseline and end line evaluations as it relates to key elements of the SDI policy advocacy framework.
Work closely with other SDI team members and State/LGA authorities to ensure sustained focus on the SDI KPIs for the management of diarrhoea in Shomolu facilities and associated communities.
Provide innovation, drive and insider overarching technical insight that will guide other team member’s engagement with community leaders and government institutions relevant to the 7 point plan of action in the management of diarrhoea.
This position will also support key aspect of SDI BCC strategy as it relates to community and government agency engagement.

Technical and Advisory Support:

Provide support and timely feedbacks SDI team, State and LGA officials on available opportunities for leveraging on programmes, SoPs, policy initiative that impact positively on the 7 point plan.
Advise on possible State/LGA capacity gaps and options for addressing them timely and efficiently.
Support the documentation and dissemination of best practice and other success stories in support of the achievement of SDI KPIs.
Support in disseminating publications for peer-reviewed journals.

Planning, Documentation and Budgeting:

Develop activity plans and budgets for technical support activities related to the Government Liaison Specialist core responsibilities.
Participate in developing different levels of progress report and supporting PQA on policy advocacy.

Representation and relationships:

Under the guidance of the CoP, engage and maintain good relationships with key State/LGA stakeholders on the 7 point plan.
Under the guidance of the Advocacy Advisor actively participate in State/LGA level technical working groups and other relevant policy forums.
Actively contribute to national policies/strategies on the 7 point plan.
Support advocacy colleagues with technical messaging on the 7 point plan, external reports and publications
Other - Other ad hoc tasks as requested by Line Manager

Skills & Experiences

Master's Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Management, Sociology, Public Administrationor related field;
A first level University degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
At least 10 year experience in broad health programme management in Nigeria
Essential: Good understanding of Lagos State environment and government institutions.
Essential: very good understanding of relevant national and State Government policies and strategies on the 7 point plan.
Essential: very good communication, training and facilitation skills.
Desirable: Demonstrable use of excel and Microsoft including PowerPoint presentation. etc

Additional Skills:

Ability to work effectively both independently (with minimal supervision) and as a member of a team
Commitment to gender equity, child rights, community empowerment, and grassroots development approaches
Effective planning and organising skills
Effective interpersonal skills - oral and written communication skills