State Programme Coordinator - Health at Christian Aid

Department: International
Reports to:  Finance Coordinator
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Contracted Hours: 35
Contract Length: 4 months

Role Purpose

• To be responsible for supporting and managing Christian Aid partnerships and programmes and specifically the implementation of the Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) project - as well as ensure the effective disbursement of funds by Christian Aid partners working on the project including recommending grants to partners.  
• To contribute to the development of Christian Aid policy and strategy at the state and country program levels. To contribute to the representation of Christian Aid specifically at State level with support from the Senior Programme Coordinator. 
• To engage with, promote and communicate project outcomes with support from line manager and relevant team members. 
• To coordinate CA activities within the state with regular communication and support to relevant staff where required. 
• To coordinate the team at the state level to ensure effective program implementation and enhance efficiencies and productivity within the team.

Role Context:

• The role is within the International Programmes role family positioned within the Community Health programme department of the Nigeria country office. 
• The role is important in providing support to Christian Aid and its Africa Division through Nigeria programme’s partnerships, to ensure they are managed and developed effectively. Frequent local travels will be required. Key outcomes
• Strong portfolio of partners that have capacity to   respond and support Christian Aid’s advocacy, fundraising and communications agenda. Project(s) delivered on time and within approved budget.
• Strong relationships developed through effective communication between partners and Christian Aid. 
• Strengthened capacity of implementing partners to respond and support Christian Aid’s project outcomes and country strategy. 
• Compliance with financial policies and procedures including reporting requirements and contribution made to other team members in the development and implementation of partner capacity building and training. 
• Strong linkages between partner work and advocacy, communications and fundraising roles.

Role Requirements

Relationships:

• External:Relationship with partners, NGOs and institutional donors, key actors in Benue state
• Internal: The role is line managed by a Senior Programme Officer/Senior Programme Coordinator 

Decision Making:

• Ability to make day to day decisions to assist in the administration and smooth running of partnerships and programmes.
• Provides support to partners based on frameworks agreed with line manager and other members of the country team 
• Represents Christian Aid and the programme externally with partners, other NGOs, and other agencies at the state and country program level 
• Appraise, monitor and review programme in line with CA and external requirements.
• Contribute to fundraising proposals

Analytical Skills:

• Analytical skills desirable to perform day to day work
• Problems or issues need detailed information gathering, investigation and analysis including assessment of benefits and risks of different courses of action.
• Initiative and judgment needs to be applied regularly in the course of day-to-day work. Expected to make direct contribution to improved performance, whether through own area of work or participation in cross-disciplinary projects  Developing self and others
• Ability to take initiative, be self-motivated and build capacity of others such as partners’ staff, government owned workers (e.g. health workers). Taking responsibility for ensuring that work quality and professional standards are maintained.

Person Specification
Applied Skills/Knowledge and Expertise:
 
Essential Criteria:

• Degree in Medicine, Pharmacy or any related field. S/he must have at least 3 years’ experience of working with indigenous partners and strengthening health system (particularly medical commodities logistics management system).
• Extensive understanding of the national response to health care delivery and broader health policies, integrated community case management of childhood illnesses and maternal health.
• Knowledge and competency in gender-sensitive and inclusive programming 
• Experience of managing donor-funded projects
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent Christian Aid at the national, state and local levels. English fluency and ability to write clearly and concisely. 
• Local language knowledge a plus.
• Familiarity with ICCM costing and financing tool and technique desirable.

Desirable Criteria:

• Skills and experience in national, state and local advocacy and lobbying processes 
• In-depth understanding and familiarity with international donor requirements especially  DFID/UKAid funding and reporting requirements
• Experience working with government institutions and agencies in Nigeria
• Remains energized and focused in the face of ambiguity, change or strenuous demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team.

IT Competency Required:

• Intermediate

Competency Profile
LEVEL 2 - You are expected to be able to:

Build Partnerships:

• Accept to work on alternate roles when necessary to achieve a team or organizational goal.
• Actively consult with others to ensure understanding of team needs or goals.
• Listen to and take on board fresh perspectives and views even when there is an initial point of difference. 
• Maintain on-going relationships and build new ones with individuals and contacts through networks, based on mutual rapport and respect. 

Communicate Effectively:

• Make complex things simple for the benefit of others.
• Actively listen and question to check your understanding and draw out others when they are not expressing themselves clearly or seem to be holding back.
• Be sensitive to what others may be feeling, based on what they say, how they say it and their nonverbal behavior, adapting your style and approach to fit. 
• Address difficult issues when they arise, being honest and open.

Steward Resources:

• Implement ways to reduce the inefficient use of resources or pass the ideas on to someone who can make them happen. 
• Estimate the resources needed to achieve your own work plans or objectives and to deliver them in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
• Set and communicate realistic timelines for achieving tasks, working out how best to adapt as priorities change or unforeseen circumstances arise.

Deliver Results:

• Prioritize, plan and monitor own work to meet own and team deliverables to agreed performance or quality standards.
• Acknowledge others’ priorities whilst being prepared to say “no” if there are genuine reasons why their needs cannot be met.
• Use logical processes and relevant tools and techniques to report on information or analyze options. 
• Make timely and considered recommendations or decisions based on analysis of available data, information and evidence.

Realize Potential:

• Evaluate your own work and actively address gaps in knowledge and skills, without prompting. 
• Recognize how you react to feedback and manage reactions positively, acting on specific feedback from others.
• Share your knowledge where it will help others to be more effective.
• Provide instruction, constructive feedback and guidance to others to help them learn.

Strive for Improvement:

• Constructively challenge existing practice.
• Seek better ways of doing things, considering the possible implications.
• Make positive suggestions on a way forward when faced with challenges even if these falls outside own scope of work.
• Bring innovative ideas to Christian Aid for new ideas and evaluate them for own work. 

Full Time Salary
N8,501,197  Salary (full time)