Organization: Jhpiego (Johns Hopkins University Affiliate)
Job ID: 2026-7820
Location: Abakaliki, Ebonyi
Employment Type: Full-time
Application Closing Date: Not Specified (Rolling Basis)
POSITION OVERVIEW
Jhpiego is seeking a highly experienced Community / Facility Specialist to lead efforts in bridging the gap between community-based health structures and clinical facilities in Ebonyi State. This position is central to improving access to quality RMNCAH (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health) services. You will be responsible for building strategic relationships with community leaders, managing Community Health Workers (CHWs), and enhancing demand-creation activities, including the formation of GANC (Group Antenatal Care) and GPNC (Group Postnatal Care) cohorts.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Community-Facility Linkages & Demand Creation
- Advocacy: Build and maintain relationships with community leaders and stakeholders to facilitate community entry and mobilization.
- Cohort Formation: Lead the establishment and maintenance of Group Antenatal Care (GANC) and Group Postnatal Care (GPNC) cohorts to improve maternal health outcomes.
- Referral Systems: Strengthen the identification and referral of vulnerable populations to ensure seamless access to life-saving health services.
2. Programmatic & Administrative Support
- Planning: Assist in the development of work plans and budgets; coordinate meetings, workshops, and technical sessions.
- Documentation: Collate and harmonize program management tools, including stakeholders’ databases, facility directories, and scorecards.
- Reporting: Draft, edit, and proofread technical materials, monthly/quarterly reports, human interest stories, and technical briefs.
3. Systems Strengthening & Coordination
- Liaison: Coordinate with Government of Nigeria (GoN) stakeholders and implementing partners regarding systems strengthening.
- Supervision: Support the MNCH Advisor to ensure activities align with organizational methodologies and implementation plans.
CANDIDATE SPECIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery, Community Health, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 6 years in implementing community-based MNCH programs in Nigeria.
- INGO Context: At least 3–4 years of programmatic support experience for international health projects, preferably within an INGO.
- Coordination: Proven track record in coordinating donor-funded projects and familiarity with international donor administrative procedures.
Technical Skills & Abilities
- Communication: Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Fluency in a local language of Ebonyi State is a significant advantage.
- Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Travel: Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time within the project area.
- Pressure: Proven ability to work in complex environments with short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and qualified candidates should apply via the Jhpiego careers portal.
Jhpiego is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Success Blueprint: Community / Facility Specialist (Ebonyi)
The Community / Facility Specialist at Jhpiego is a “boundary-spanning” role. You must prove that you are equally comfortable in a high-level coordination meeting in Abakaliki as you are under a tree talking to a village head about maternal health.
1. Highlight “GANC” and “GPNC” Knowledge
The job description specifically mentions Group Antenatal Care (GANC) and Group Postnatal Care (GPNC).
- The Strategy: These are specific maternal health models. If you have experience facilitating group sessions for pregnant women or nursing mothers, make this a “Key Achievement” on your CV.
- Pro-Tip: Discuss how you moved from traditional one-on-one ANC to the GANC model and the positive impact it had on patient retention.
2. Demonstrate “Community Entry” Expertise
Jhpiego needs someone who knows the “gatekeepers” of Ebonyi State communities.
- Success Factor: Highlight your specific experience with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and community leaders. Mention any successful “Demand Creation” campaigns you led that resulted in increased facility utilization.
- Keywords: “Stakeholder engagement,” “Community mobilization,” “Demand generation,” “Health-seeking behavior.”
3. Emphasize Technical Writing & Reporting
This role is 40% administration and 60% field work. You are expected to write Human Interest Stories and Technical Briefs.
- Action: Showcase your ability to turn data into stories. Mention any experience you have in drafting “success stories” for donors (USAID, Gates Foundation, etc.).
- Check: Ensure your application is perfectly edited—proofreading is a listed job responsibility.
4. Navigating GoN Stakeholders
You will be liaising with Government of Nigeria (GoN) officials at the state and LGA levels.
- The Context: Knowledge of the SPHCDA (State Primary Health Care Development Agency) and State Ministry of Health protocols in Ebonyi is crucial.
- Action: Mention previous successful collaborations with government agencies to strengthen health systems.
5. Soft Skills: The “Liaison” Mindset
You are a middle-man/woman between technical experts, finance staff, and community members.
- Strategy: Highlight your “interpersonal and facilitation skills.” Discuss how you manage “intense pressure to perform” and “short deadlines,” as these are specifically noted in the job description.
6. Final Application Checklist
- [ ] Experience: Do you have the mandatory 6 years of MNCH experience?
- [ ] Language: If you speak the local dialect (e.g., Izzi, Ezza, Ikwo), state this prominently. It is your biggest “plus” factor.
- [ ] INGO Exposure: Clearly list your previous work with international NGOs.
- [ ] Location: Confirm your willingness to live in Abakaliki and travel 25% of the time.
You are the bridge between the clinic and the community. Apply with confidence and cultural insight.