CARE Initiative (Centre for Advocacy, Resilience and Empowerment) is a Nigerian non-governmental organization focused on humanitarian assistance, community resilience, protection, and sustainable development. The organization works to support vulnerable and underserved populations, particularly communities affected by conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services.
Based in Maiduguri, Borno State, CARE Initiative implements integrated humanitarian and development programmes across areas including nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, food security, livelihoods, and community development. Its approach emphasizes community participation, inclusion, accountability, and strengthening local capacity to respond to humanitarian challenges.
The organization is registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and aims to connect immediate humanitarian assistance with longer-term recovery and development initiatives.
Mission
To promote advocacy, resilience, and empowerment through inclusive and sustainable humanitarian and development interventions that protect lives, strengthen community capacities, and improve social well-being.
Vision
To become a leading Nigerian humanitarian and development organization delivering sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve health, nutrition, protection, water and sanitation, food security, and community resilience.
Core Values
CARE Initiative’s stated organizational values include:
- Humanity: Upholding the dignity and rights of people affected by crises.
- Accountability: Maintaining responsibility towards communities, donors, and partners.
- Integrity: Promoting transparency and ethical conduct.
- Inclusion: Encouraging participation by women, men, children, and persons with disabilities.
- Resilience: Helping individuals and communities withstand and recover from adversity.
Core Areas of Intervention
1. Nutrition and Food Security
- Supporting community-based management of acute malnutrition.
- Facilitating nutritional screening and referrals for children and other vulnerable groups.
- Promoting infant and young child feeding practices.
- Supporting nutrition education for caregivers and households.
- Implementing food security interventions for crisis-affected populations.
- Strengthening community awareness of malnutrition prevention and treatment.
2. Health and Community Health Systems
- Supporting community-based healthcare and preventive health interventions.
- Promoting immunization awareness and community mobilization.
- Supporting disease surveillance and public health emergency preparedness.
- Conducting health education and awareness campaigns.
- Promoting access to essential health services for vulnerable populations.
- Supporting risk communication and community engagement activities.
3. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Supporting access to safe drinking water.
- Promoting hygiene education and sanitation practices.
- Supporting borehole development and water supply initiatives where applicable.
- Promoting menstrual hygiene management.
- Supporting cholera preparedness and response activities.
- Encouraging community participation in the management of water facilities.
4. Protection and Child Safeguarding
- Supporting child protection and safeguarding interventions.
- Promoting the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Supporting protection referrals for vulnerable individuals.
- Raising awareness of gender-based violence and protection risks.
- Promoting safe and inclusive community environments.
- Supporting mental health and psychosocial services for affected populations.
5. Education in Emergencies
- Supporting access to learning opportunities for children affected by emergencies.
- Promoting safe and inclusive learning environments.
- Engaging communities on the importance of education.
- Supporting vulnerable children facing barriers to education.
- Contributing to initiatives that strengthen community participation in education.
6. Food Security and Livelihoods
- Supporting vulnerable households experiencing food insecurity.
- Implementing cash-based assistance where appropriate.
- Promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.
- Supporting savings groups and financial literacy initiatives.
- Encouraging women’s participation in income-generating activities.
- Promoting household resilience and economic self-reliance.
7. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
- Supporting psychosocial interventions for crisis-affected populations.
- Promoting awareness of mental health and emotional well-being.
- Facilitating referrals for individuals requiring specialized support.
- Encouraging community-based support mechanisms.
- Promoting dignity and inclusion for people experiencing distress.
8. Community Resilience and Social Cohesion
- Supporting community participation in humanitarian and development programmes.
- Encouraging dialogue among community members and local leaders.
- Promoting peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.
- Strengthening local structures involved in community development.
- Supporting initiatives that help communities prepare for and recover from crises.
9. Localization and Institutional Capacity Strengthening
- Supporting the capacity development of local organizations.
- Strengthening governance and leadership systems.
- Promoting financial management and accountability.
- Supporting procurement and compliance systems.
- Encouraging locally led humanitarian responses.
- Promoting sustainable organizational development.
Geographic Reach
CARE Initiative is headquartered in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, and reports operational activities in the following local government areas:
- Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC)
- Jere
- Konduga
- Mafa
- Damboa
The organization identifies Borno State as its principal operational area, with plans to expand its activities across Borno and Adamawa states. Its geographic coverage may vary according to programme requirements, resources, and partnerships.
Target Beneficiaries and Stakeholders
CARE Initiative’s programmes focus on supporting and engaging:
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Returnees and conflict-affected households.
- Vulnerable children and adolescents.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Children affected by acute malnutrition.
- Women and girls facing protection risks.
- Persons with disabilities.
- Households experiencing food insecurity.
- Rural and underserved communities.
- Community leaders and local institutions.
- Local civil society organizations.
- Government agencies and humanitarian partners.
Partnerships and Collaboration
CARE Initiative identifies collaboration with government ministries, United Nations agencies, local and international NGOs, community leaders, and humanitarian coordination structures as part of its operational approach.
Its organizational information identifies UNICEF as a partner in areas including nutrition and WASH. Collaboration with community structures and other humanitarian actors supports programme implementation, community participation, and coordinated responses to local needs.
Specific partnerships and funding arrangements may differ by project and should be confirmed through the relevant programme announcements.
Careers and Opportunities
CARE Initiative offers potential career pathways for professionals interested in humanitarian response, public health, nutrition, protection, community development, and programme management.
Relevant job categories may include:
- Programme Management: Programme Officers, Project Coordinators, and Programme Managers.
- Nutrition: Nutrition Officers, Nutrition Assistants, and Community Nutrition Workers.
- Public Health: Public Health Officers, Community Health Officers, and Health Programme Assistants.
- WASH: WASH Officers, Hygiene Promotion Officers, and WASH Assistants.
- Protection: Protection Officers, Child Protection Officers, and Gender-Based Violence Officers.
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: MHPSS Officers and Psychosocial Support Assistants.
- Food Security and Livelihoods: Food Security Officers, Livelihoods Officers, and Cash Assistance Officers.
- Education: Education Officers and Education in Emergencies Assistants.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL): MEAL Officers, Data Collectors, and Monitoring Assistants.
- Community Engagement: Community Mobilizers, Outreach Officers, and Field Assistants.
- Finance and Administration: Finance Officers, Accountants, and Administrative Assistants.
- Procurement and Logistics: Procurement Officers, Logistics Officers, and Supply Chain Assistants.
- Human Resources: HR Officers and Recruitment Assistants.
- Safeguarding and Accountability: Safeguarding Officers, Accountability Officers, and Community Feedback Assistants.
Career note: These are potential career categories based on the organization’s programme areas, not confirmation of current vacancies. Applicants should verify individual recruitment announcements for qualifications, experience, location, and application deadlines.
Focus Areas – CARE Initiative
Humanitarian Assistance • Nutrition • Community Health • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) • Child Protection • Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse • Education in Emergencies • Food Security • Livelihoods • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support • Community Resilience • Social Cohesion • Localization • Institutional Capacity Strengthening
