Save the Slum Initiative (STSI) is a Nigerian non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2016. The organization works to improve the living conditions of people in underserved communities, informal settlements, and conflict-affected areas through humanitarian assistance, community development, and sustainable livelihood programmes.
Headquartered in Maiduguri, Borno State, STSI focuses on addressing poverty, inequality, and limited access to essential services. Its interventions cover water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, education, protection, nutrition, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. The organization works with local communities and humanitarian partners to promote dignity, resilience, and improved quality of life.
Mission
To work with underserved communities to achieve long-term and sustainable improvements in living conditions through humanitarian assistance, community-based services, education, and empowerment.
Vision
To create communities where vulnerable people can live with dignity, access essential services, and benefit from sustainable development opportunities.
Core Values
- Accountability: Using resources responsibly and remaining answerable to communities and partners.
- Inclusion: Promoting equal access to services and opportunities for vulnerable groups.
- Community Participation: Involving local people in identifying needs and developing solutions.
- Integrity: Maintaining ethical standards in humanitarian and development work.
- Sustainability: Supporting solutions that deliver lasting community benefits.
- Respect for Human Dignity: Treating all beneficiaries fairly and respectfully.
- Collaboration: Working with communities, civil society organizations, and development partners.
These values summarize the principles reflected in the organization’s work and are not necessarily its formally published list of core values.
Core Areas of Intervention
1. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Improving access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
- Promoting hygiene education and healthy practices.
- Supporting menstrual health and hygiene management.
- Rehabilitating water infrastructure, including boreholes.
- Conducting hygiene promotion and disease-prevention activities.
2. Health and Nutrition
- Supporting community health education and outreach.
- Promoting disease prevention and healthy behaviours.
- Supporting public health responses, including cholera prevention.
- Addressing health-related needs among vulnerable and displaced populations.
- Promoting nutrition awareness and community well-being.
3. Education and Skills Development
- Supporting access to education for underserved children and young people.
- Promoting digital literacy and inclusive learning opportunities.
- Conducting community education and awareness programmes.
- Supporting initiatives that help out-of-school children access learning.
4. Protection and Gender Equality
- Promoting the safety, rights, and dignity of vulnerable populations.
- Supporting women, girls, and children through protection-related activities.
- Raising awareness of gender-based violence and other protection concerns.
- Promoting menstrual health, dignity, and inclusion.
5. Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment
- Supporting livelihood development for vulnerable households.
- Promoting skills acquisition and economic self-reliance.
- Encouraging community-led approaches to reducing poverty.
- Supporting opportunities for women and young people to improve their livelihoods.
6. Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
- Promoting environmental awareness and climate action.
- Supporting community-based environmental improvement initiatives.
- Encouraging sustainable water management and climate resilience.
- Engaging young people in environmental advocacy and community action.
7. Humanitarian Assistance and Non-Food Items
- Supporting populations affected by conflict and displacement.
- Assisting vulnerable households with essential non-food items.
- Contributing to humanitarian responses in underserved communities.
- Working with humanitarian partners to address priority needs.
8. Peacebuilding and Community Development
- Promoting peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.
- Encouraging community participation in development initiatives.
- Supporting advocacy and activities that strengthen local resilience.
- Helping communities identify and respond to their development priorities.
Geographic Reach
Save the Slum Initiative is a Nigerian organization with experience implementing programmes across multiple states. Its work has included communities in Northeast, Northwest, North Central, Southwest, and South-South Nigeria.
The organization has a significant operational presence in Borno State and has also participated in projects in other parts of the country, including Lagos and Akwa Ibom States. Its geographic reach varies according to project locations and partnerships.
Target Beneficiaries and Stakeholders
The organization’s work focuses on:
- People living in slums and informal settlements.
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Conflict-affected and underserved communities.
- Women and girls.
- Children and out-of-school children.
- Young people and youth groups.
- Low-income households.
- Persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
- Host communities in humanitarian settings.
- Community-based organizations and local stakeholders.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Save the Slum Initiative works with humanitarian organizations, development agencies, government institutions, community groups, and other stakeholders to implement its programmes.
Its documented work includes collaboration with organizations such as UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as well as participation in a digital-skills education initiative in Northeast Nigeria led by ZOA International. It has also worked with other partners on WASH, health, protection, and community development activities. Specific partners and funding arrangements may differ between projects.
Careers and Opportunities
Depending on its current projects and recruitment needs, potential career areas at Save the Slum Initiative may include:
- Project Management and Programme Coordination.
- WASH Officers and Hygiene Promotion Officers.
- Health and Nutrition Officers.
- Protection Officers.
- Education and Digital Skills Officers.
- Community Mobilizers and Community Officers.
- Livelihoods Officers.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officers.
- Environmental and Climate Action Officers.
- Procurement and Logistics Officers.
- Finance and Administration Officers.
- Human Resources Officers.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Officers.
- Field Assistants and Community Volunteers.
These are potential employment areas based on the organization’s programme activities and do not confirm that vacancies are currently available.
Focus Areas – Save the Slum Initiative
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) • Health and Nutrition • Education • Protection • Gender Equality • Livelihoods • Youth Empowerment • Climate Action • Environmental Sustainability • Humanitarian Assistance • Peacebuilding • Community Development
