Career Opportunity: Community Engagement Officer at Pathfinder International 2 Locations

Locations: Gombe & Jigawa, Nigeria

Job Type: Full-Time options available for Jigawa)

Reports To: State Team Lead

Location: Jigawa, Nigeria (Hybrid / Office based in Asokoro, Abuja)

Job Category: Program Services

Posted Date: December 19, 2025

Application Deadline: January 15, 2026

Contract Type: Regular Full-time

Empowering Health through Community Competence

In the pursuit of global health equity, the most powerful tool is a well-trained, locally-embedded health workforce. In Northern Nigeria, where maternal and child health outcomes are a critical priority, the ability of community health workers to deliver standardized, high-quality care can redefine the future of entire generations. As a Community Engagement Officer for the CARMNIS project, you will be the driving force behind this transformation, ensuring that frontline providers have the skills, mentorship, and support they need to provide dignified healthcare to those who need it most.

Job Summary

The Community Engagement Officer leads the strategic design and implementation of all professional development and capacity-strengthening initiatives under the CARMNIS project. The primary goal of this role is to ensure that Community Based Health Workers (CBHWs) are equipped with high-quality, standardized skills through competency-based training and mentorship. By bridging the gap between national guidelines and local execution, you will enhance the quality of care and performance across all supported Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Frameworks & Policy Alignment

• Design and launch the CARMNIS capacity-building framework, including detailed training guidelines and mentorship protocols.
• Coordinate with government health teams to integrate health worker learning plans into state systems and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs).
• Ensure all community-based activities strictly adhere to Nigeria’s national PHC and RMNCH+N policies.

Instructional Design & Educational Tools

• Spearhead the development of competency-based training materials, visual job aids, and skill checklists tailored for the local context.
• Implement modern adult-learning and simulation-based training methodologies for both health workers and facility-level mentors.
• Create supportive supervision tools that reinforce practical skill mastery and clinical service quality.

Program Execution & Training Delivery

• Lead technical sessions during CBHW training events and provide direct, hands-on coaching to frontline staff.
• Manage the logistics and scheduling for training rotations, refresher courses, and community-based mentorship cycles.
• Strengthen the technical capacity of supervisors and mentors to ensure ongoing, sustainable learning in the field.

Performance Monitoring & Knowledge Management

• Administer skill assessments, pre/post-tests, and simulation-based evaluations to track health worker progression and identify support needs.
• Document project successes, including innovative training case studies and technical briefs, for dissemination to partners.
• Produce comprehensive monthly and quarterly reports on capacity-building progress, budget utilization, and impact metrics.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of 7 years of demonstrable experience in capacity building for PHC, CBHW, or RMNCH programs.
• Technical Expertise: Proven success in implementing competency-based training, mentorship models, and supportive supervision within the Nigerian government health system.
• Mission Alignment: Foundational knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, with a deep passion for maternal and child health services.
• Languages: Full professional fluency in English and the local language of the region (Hausa).

Why This Role Matters

The Community Engagement Officer is essential because they transform “attendance” into “competency.” In a humanitarian context, it is not enough for health workers to exist; they must be capable and confident in life-saving procedures. This role ensures that international standards are localized effectively, reducing clinical errors and building a resilient community health system that thrives on trust and technical excellence.

Benefits of Joining Pathfinder International

• Meaningful Global Impact: Join a world leader in sexual and reproductive health with a mission-driven culture.
• Professional Growth: Lead high-visibility training innovations within the high-impact CARMNIS project.
• Inclusive Environment: Work for an organization that values diversity, inclusion, and zero tolerance for harassment.
• Competitive Package: We provide a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience in the international NGO sector.

About the Organization

Pathfinder International is a global champion for reproductive health and human rights. We believe that reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right that expands life opportunities for women, families, and nations alike. Since 1957, we have partnered with local communities to remove barriers to critical health services—ranging from contraception and maternal care to HIV prevention. Our work is dedicated to ensuring that millions of people around the world can choose their own paths forward with health and dignity.

Application Instructions

How to Apply: Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply through our online recruitment portal. Please ensure you apply using the requisition number corresponding to your preferred location:

• Gombe: Requisition Number COMMU002545 – APPLY NOW
• Jigawa: Requisition Number COMMU002546 – APPLY NOW

Please note: This role requires at least 30% travel to field sites and community health facilities.

Tips for Applicants

1. Emphasize Community Ties: In your application, provide examples of how you have successfully navigated local community structures or traditional leadership to improve health outcomes.
2. Detail Your Training Success: Don’t just list training events; describe the impact your mentorship had on health worker performance or service quality.
3. Local Context Matters: Mentioning your familiarity with the specific health landscape or socio-cultural dynamics of Gombe or Jigawa will distinguish you as a top candidate.
4. Equal Opportunity: Pathfinder is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women to apply.
5. Relocation: Please note that Pathfinder Nigeria does not provide relocation allowances.
6. Travel: This role requires at least 30% travel within the field.