Immunization Supply Chain Manager at VillageReach

Summary

• The Manager, Immunization Supply Chain, coordinates and manages implementation of VillageReach's work in Nigeria to improve immunization outreach through context-appropriate cold chain solutions, with a focus on mobile cold chain equipment (CCE) and temperature-controlled powered vaccine storage (TPVS) options, including Indigo devices. As part of VillageReach's Nigeria country team, the Manager reports to the Nigeria Country Lead and receives technical direction from the Project Lead. The role coordinates assessments of cold chain options, development and testing of outreach planning approaches, and translation of findings into practical decision-support resources.
• Based in Abuja, the Manager works closely with government counterparts, state-based project personnel, VillageReach technical teams, and partners collaborating on cold chain assessment, outreach planning, and implementation. The Manager also coordinates with project teams and partners in other participating countries to align methods, tools, and learning within a unified approach that can be adapted to country contexts. Implementation in Nigeria will take place in either Kaduna or Katsina State, as agreed with government and partners. The role contributes to reliable, efficient, and equitable immunization services for under-reached communities.
• Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Key Responsibilities

• Government Liaison and Partner Coordination
• Coordinate national government and project partner engagement, joint planning, and follow-up; align approaches and share learning with teams in other participating countries
• Work with state-based project personnel to align implementation with national discussions, document decisions, and escalate country coordination issues to the Nigeria Country Lead and technical issues to the Project Lead
• Project Management and Implementation Oversight
• Manage the in-country workplan, timelines, and deliverables; provide day-to-day coordination and review of work undertaken by state-based project personnel
• Coordinate field activities, technical inputs, and logistics; manage procurement of Indigo devices with relevant VillageReach colleagues, working with UNICEF or the manufacturer to confirm requirements, delivery timelines, and deployment readiness. Monitor expenditure and delivery risks and recommend adjustments
• Cold Chain Assessment and Outreach Planning
• Coordinate operational assessments and workshops to compare mobile CCE and TPVS options, define outreach archetypes, and test planning approaches using existing geographic and operational data
• Oversee limited field testing or structured documentation, equipment deployment readiness, and training support, assessing performance, usability, costs, and feasibility
• Evidence Generation and Reporting
• Coordinate monitoring, data collection, quality checks, and analysis with technical colleagues, accounting for operational constraints, community preferences, and gender-related workforce implications
• Synthesize findings and prepare progress reports, evidence summaries, and presentations for government, partners, and project reporting
• Decision-Support Resources and Knowledge Translation
• Translate findings into practical planning guidance, decision trees, comparison matrices, and readiness checklists that fit existing government processes
• Coordinate user validation, partner feedback, and refinement of deliverables for the Project Lead's technical review, aligning resources with the shared approach across participating countries

Competencies:

• VillageReach has ten (10) Organizational Competencies that describe how we work together and get things done that are grouped into three strategic areas of Achieving Great Results, Setting Direction and, Bringing Others With you. For a full description, please download our Organizational Competency document.

Achieving Great Results:

• Risk Taking and Innovation
• Key Behaviors: Comfort with ambiguity, curiosity, adaptability, unconstrained and undeterred creativity, resourcefulness
• Business Judgement
• Key Behaviors: Getting to root causes, understanding environment, navigating complexity and ambiguity, entrepreneurial energy
• Building Strong Teams
• Key Behaviors: Trust in Subject Matter Experts (SME's); radical candor to resolve conflict, hold each other accountable as colleagues, focused on results, commitment to mission

Setting Direction:

• Compelling Communication
• Key Behaviors: Clear and evidence-based communication, audience adaptability, curious listener
• Resilient Self Leadership
• Key Behaviors: Self-aware, plan how one shows up, emotionally intelligent, use one's own agency and takes accountability
• Stewardship and Personal Alignment
• Key Behaviors: Take ownership, display ethical conduct, effective at resource management, alignment of personal objectives with organizational goals and mission, focus on continuous improvement and sustainability

Bringing Others with You:

• Influencing Leadership
• Key Behaviors: Cultivate trust, influences to make change, navigate the matrix structure
• Radical Partnership
• Key Behaviors: Share information and credit, address conflict, increase impact through collaboration, political and contextual awareness
• Cultivates a Growth Mindset
• Key Behaviors: Seek out diverse input, demonstrate flexibility in thinking and curiosity, embrace challenges, demonstrate persistence, seek learning opportunities
• Cultural Intelligence and Inclusion
• Key Behaviors: Continuous learning and ally-ship across cultural lines, challenge prejudice and bias, modeled in one's own behavior

Requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides day-to-day project coordination, technical guidance, and review of work undertaken by state-based project personnel.

Education & Experience:

Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Graduate degree (or equivalent experience) in public health, health systems, supply chain management, international development, or a related field required
• Experience
• At least five years of relevant experience in immunization, health systems, vaccine supply chains, or public health program implementation, including management of complex activities and partner relationships
• Strong experience in vaccine supply chain management is required, including coordination of equipment procurement or deployment. Familiarity with CCE procurement processes and experience working with UNICEF or manufacturers are desirable
• Demonstrated experience working with Nigeria's National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDAs), and Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) teams, coordinating across national and state levels
• Experience in immunization outreach, microplanning, or vaccine logistics, with an understanding of how cold chain capabilities influence service delivery. Understanding of mobile CCE and TPVS is preferred but not required
• Experience coordinating operational assessments, quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and evidence-informed program decisions
• Experience facilitating technical workshops and developing practical guidance, tools, or implementation resources
• Experience managing workplans, overseeing field personnel or consultants, and contributing to donor-funded program reporting
• Experience with GIS-informed planning, operational costing, or introduction of new cold chain technologies is desirable

Other Qualifications:

• Strong coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and stakeholders and maintain reliable follow-through
• Ability to assess operational tradeoffs and translate technical findings into clear recommendations for government and frontline users
• Strong analytical and documentation skills, including proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and comfort working with routine program data
• Ability to interpret maps and geographic information for planning; proficiency in specialized GIS software is an asset
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; Hausa proficiency is an asset
• Sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to work independently while seeking technical support when needed
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully with government officials, health workers, communities, and multidisciplinary partners
• Commitment to equitable access and gender-responsive programming, including attention to workforce participation and community preferences
• Willingness and ability to be based in Abuja and travel regularly within Nigeria, including to participating LGAs, facilities, and communities, in accordance with organizational security procedures