NTD PROGRAM MANAGER at Helen Keller International

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Program Manager Eye Health/NTD oversees the formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of HKI Nigeria’s programs and projects to ensure consistency with the national development and HKI corporate priorities and outcomes. Currently HKI supports 4 states on NTD projects and one eye health program in Katsina state.

Management and Coordination:

• Lead in the development of HKI Nigeria country office Eye Health/NTD strategy and support its implementation at program and operations level and ensure its relevance to national priority;
• Maintain regular communication with AFRO staff and other program partners in Eye care and NTDs in Nigeria;
• Submit reports to Country Director, donors and government;
• Manage all Eye Health/NTD program funds effectively and efficiently; Justify all travel advances within the stipulated days of travel, and program advances within the stipulated days of receipts of funds;
• Maintain regular communication with the HKI National staff, read and submit information for national circulation and other Eye Health/NTD partners;
• Ensure supervision of  Eye health/NTDs program activities in HKI assisted states;
• Submit accurate monthly time sheets quarterly and annual programmatic reports;
• Prepare annual HKI Nigeria Eye Health/NTD work plans, with participation from partners and HKI staff and ensure execution of these programs;

Partnerships and External Stakeholder relations

• Actively participate in key relevant national and state level nutrition technical forums and keep HKI program staff and partners informed on new developments in the field.
• Maintain good and regular communication with the Ministry of Health and other Government partners, donors, UN agencies and partners. Identify new partners and develop opportunities for collaboration.
• Develop competitive proposals to attract additional resources towards Eye Health/NTD programs in HKI-Nigeria
• Submit reports to Country Director, donors and government;

Technical Assistance:

• Provide technical assistance to National and State Eye Health Programs and other development partners; Support Federal ministry of health in the development and review of National Guideline for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs);
• Review and edit strategies, policies and documents as requested by partners and the Ministry Of Health;
• Collaborate with partners to develop IEC strategies and tools to support Eye care and NTDs;
• Liaise with HKI assisted states to ensure program ownership as a way to program sustainability;
• Assist state program managers for development of concept notes and submission of treatment reports to the African Program for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC);
• Pre-test and disseminate materials and training modules as required;
• Promote Eye care and NTD discussions in health training facilities, during charges meetings and during annual meetings of health care professionals.
• Ensure early application for drugs used in mass drug administration, on behalf of assisted states.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Work closely with M&E specialists and technical expert to strengthen technical reporting and in accordance with defined reporting schedule and program indicators.
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators, targets, and recommend remedial action to keep programs on course.
• Contribute to and support the maintenance of an updated data base of COPs, technical and program reports including site visits, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reports

Research and Documentation

• Keep up with advances in NTDs/eye health through internet searches, networking, and directed reading; share this information with country partners and other HKI staff members.
• Pre-test and disseminate materials and training modules as required.
• Write and circulate to national and international audiences peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications based on program activities in HKI-Nigeria

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirement
• Able to work under pressure minimal supervision and able to meet up deadlines.
• Ability to use computer software such as Microsoft office, internet Must possess good interpersonal skills and a good team player.
• Exhibit strong leadership and decision making skills
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentially

Qualification:

• Minimum of Masters degree in science, medicine or health-related field; Master of public health or similar qualification;
• Minimum of 5 years experience managing HIV, malaria or other infectious disease programs