State Program Officer at APIN

Duration: One year (fixed term) contract
Reporting Relationship: reports to the Program Manager based in Abuja

Background

• The Save One Million Lives (SOML) Program for Results (SOML PforR) is a Federal Government of Nigeria maternal and child health program, supported by World Bank. The program focuses on six important aspects ("pillars") of maternal and child health (MNCH) that can save lives, and two "enablers". The pillars are:
  
  • Improving maternal, newborn and child health;
  • Improving routine immunization coverage and achieving polio eradication;
  • Elimination of mother to child Transmission of HIV
  • Scaling up access to essential medicines and commodities;
  • Malaria control; and
  • Improving child nutrition. The two enablers are:
    • Strengthening logistics and supply chain management; and
    • Promoting innovation and use of technology to improve health services.
• APIN has been engaged by the Federal Ministry of Health to serve as the Program Support Unit (PSU) for the implementation of SOML, with the following roles:
  
  • Ensure a continuing focus on results;
  • Assist states in analyzing data so that they can diagnose issues in service delivery and work towards resolving them; and
  • Build the capacity of federal, state and local officials to successfully implement interventions prioritized under SOML.
• APIN is seeking full-time consultants to provide technical assistance and support to states to develop, implement and evaluate programs in the focal areas of the SOML initiative, as well as build the program management capacity of state health leadership.

Job Tasks/Deliverables

• Conduct a baseline assessment of state primary health care services, provide technical assistance for program development, in health systems strengthening and develop strategies to strengthen the uptake of available health services in the state.
• Provide technical assistance and support in the focal areas of the SOML initiative, to help develop and implement corrective measures, to improve state achievements, including strengthening the quality, awareness and reach of the maternal and child health weeks in the state.
• Analyze data in key vertical programs of the FMOH, step down successes achieved to state level and assist states to use evidence generated, as a basis for decision making, in improving key health indicators.
• Increase utilization and quality of maternal and child health interventions through private sector innovation.
• Provide technical expertise to analyze weaknesses in the primary health care delivery, including availability of financial resources and development of appropriate action plans.
• Conduct a training needs assessment. Develop and implement a training program for staff of the state MOH, aimed at building the capacity of state and local officials to successfully implement interventions prioritized under the SOML program.
• Provide technical assistance to states to set up a program management unit and implement a performance management system in its primary health sector, ensuring the regular and timely compilation and submission of quarterly reports.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Medical degree from a reputable university, with a current Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) practicing license.
• An MPH or master’s degree in Public Health or related qualifications, including additional knowledge or short courses in any of the focal areas of the SOML initiative.
• In depth knowledge of the Nigerian health system. Previous experience working at state level, especially in any of the designated states will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of six years’ working experience in the Nigerian public health sector, which includes, two years programming experience in at least two of the focal areas of the SOML initiative e.g. HIV/AIDS, malaria, Sexual and reproductive health, polio eradication, immunization, maternal and child health, nutrition and health.
• Experience facilitating training and capacity building in the health sector.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, identify gaps in and strengthen health programs, with demonstrated ability to develop and implement action plans, including capacity building and facilitation of training in the health sector.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, data management and problem solving skills. Working knowledge of software for data analysis e.g. STATA, Epi info, SPSS etc. will be an added advantage.
• Ability to prepare high quality reports, within deadlines, with excellent speaking and presentation skills.