NTD Program Officer at Helen Keller International

BACKGROUND

The End Fund:
The End Fund project is a 3 year grant starting from 2016 to 2018 to support the integrated implementation of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Akwa Ibom State. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases that affect over 1.6 billion of the world’s most impoverished people, including 875 million children. They cause severe pain, long-term disability, and are the cause of death for over 500,000 people per year. Amongst children, infection leads to malnutrition, cognitive impairment, stunted growth, and the inability to attend school. Adults suffer from social isolation and are unable to work, and anemia caused by NTDs increases the risk of maternal mortality. Since 1999, HKI has been supporting programs in the area of neglected tropical disease control/elimination and eye health in Borno, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Katsina states.

Qualification:

• A first degree in biological sciences or similar field; medicine or health related field. A
• Master degree in public health or a related degree will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in public health.

Job Summary:
Under the supervision of the NTD Program Manager, the Program Officer oversees the formulation, execution, monitoring and evaluation of the End Fund Integrated Control and elimination of NTDs in Akwa Ibom State to ensure consistency with the project priorities and outcomes.

Reports directly to: NTD Program Manager

Specific duties include:

Program Planning

• Facilitate the creation and implementation of a detailed annual work-plan which identifies and sequences activities needed to successfully implement the project in the most cost-effective manner and ensure project objectives are met in line with national policies, HKI’s goal and that of the donor.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, facilitate the development and roll out of implementation plans to scale up mass distribution of drugs to treat the four PCT diseases, namely lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthes.
• Review the project schedule with senior management and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities; revise and regularly review the schedule as required.

Program Management

• In collaboration with the Program Manager ensure HKI program partners execute the project according to their respective project plans;
• Document project activities and ensure that all project information is appropriately secured;
• Monitor the progress of the project implementation and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the project remains on track and is successfully completed;
• Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project;
• Retire project funds alongside Finance and Admin Assistant according to established accounting policies and procedures
• Program Monitoring & Evaluation
• To implement and/or develop Monitoring and Evaluation tools according HKI,
• FMOH and donor standards in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.
• Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the  required level of international standards as set by FMOH, HKI and donor.
• Internally and when requested support external evaluations on the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase and as required.
• Disseminate findings from evaluations to support organizational learning and contribute to policy processing or development;
• Draft and share success stories using the standard operating procedures in the course of monitoring in order to improve project visibility
• Advocacy and Strategic Alliances
• Build and maintain meaningful working relationships with both government and
• key project stakeholders at all levels in order to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and higher visibility;
• Represent HKI towards local partners and at other appropriate forums;
• Carry out additional tasks, as requested by the Country Director, NTD Program Manager and the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

Competencies Required:

• Demonstrates technical knowledge pertaining to job requirement
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• 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
• Demonstrated excellent personal integrity and confidentially