Senior Program Officer - Child Survival

About Us

At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference. Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 600 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition. 

Nutrition International (NI) works as a government ally supporting over 60 countries in Africa including Nigeria and Asia to deliver high impact and cost-effective child survival interventions. NI partners with governments in strengthening health systems to unlock their potential in delivering lifesaving interventions targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized children Nutrition International nourishes people to nourish life.

NI Nigeria will support the Nigerian government in target states through implementation of the following project: “VAS for Boosting Child Survival in Northern Nigeria”. The project will provide financial and technical support in the planning and delivery of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW) activities. It will focus on coordinating MNCHW campaigns to increase access to essential services for mothers and children, while also ensuring follow-up and post-campaign support to sustain impact. Through these efforts, the grant will strengthen state-level health delivery and improve community uptake of key health interventions.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a global team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below. 

About the Role

The Senior Program Officer will provide technical support and other assistance to the national and state governments in Kebbi and Sokoto, and/or other stakeholders, to help them provide, on a sustainable basis, improved child survival interventions particularly vitamin A supplementation for children under-5. The position is responsible for planning, implementation, and monitoring of the program to ensure vitamin A supplementation activities are implemented every six months and high coverage is achieved and sustained in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Key Responsibilities

• Regularly updated landscape analysis is available on Vitamin A   supplementation (VAS) programs in Northern Nigeria states, in particular, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

• Develop and plan projects in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners that   respond to programming gaps and bottlenecks identified throughout the implementation of the project.
• Develop project budgets and agree on financial commitments with Country Director and ensure appropriate inputs are made and updated in NI’s NICOR system.
• Lead the management of “VAS for Boosting Child Survival in Northern Nigeria Project” in Sokoto and Kebbi states and any other child survival projects
• Manage a team of LGA level Coordinators, including overseeing the development of their workplans, engaging them in regular check-ins, and monitoring progress, performance and provide regular feedback and guidance.
• Coordination for VAS programming with key government and community stakeholders to   ensure NI funding for these interventions are being used cost-effectively.
• Monitoring and tracking of the implementation of the planned project activities and results for GW funded VAS projects through regular online check-ins and field visits with LGA and State levels NI staff to ensure value for money.
• Prepare and share high quality periodic and annual project updates and reports as necessary.
• Participate in the design of research and evaluation activities and work closely with researchers and external evaluators to ensure research and evaluations exercises are feasible, responds to NI, stakeholders and government needs and is effectively disseminated in timely fashion.
• In collaboration with NI child Survival support team and researchers, facilitate engagement with key stakeholders including relevant State and LGA level government entities for facilitating relevant clearances and authorizations for research and evaluation activities when necessary
• Build and maintain good collaborative relations with Ministry of Health, other government agencies, UN agencies, and NGOs, as appropriate at national and state levels.
• Contribute to knowledge translation documents such as policy briefs, summary briefs, blogs, and case studies relevant to child survival.
• Participate in national and sub-national fora relevant to child survival to share lessons learnt with other stakeholders. 

About You:

• Postgraduate level degree, masters (at a minimum), from a recognized university in nutrition or public health (with emphasis on nutrition).  Other relevant disciplines will be considered with significant relevant experience.
• Training in epidemiology, data analysis and research methodologies is desirable.
• Post graduate certificate in project management is an added advantage
• At least 10 years of experience in programs relating to child survival, health and nutrition, and/or in low- and middle- income countries or low resource settings, including at least 3 years of field experience.
• Experience with gender responsive (nutrition or public health) program design and implementation is an asset.
• Experience managing grant funded health and nutrition programs especially in northern Nigeria
• Relevant experience working with local community actors
• Good understanding of the health systems and local community structures in northwestern Nigeria is required.
• Experience and sound understanding of health systems.
• Proven experience in leading, motivating, and managing cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals
• Past experience working within the national and/or state government health system is an added advantage.
• Relevant experience working in conflict or hard to reach communities is desired.

A competitive market pay, health and dental benefits and pension plan, flexible work hours, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays) and support for learning and development opportunities. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Nutrition International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.

Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

For more detailed information about the role, please click on the attached Job Description. Please click on the Apply button to submit your application.