Program Field Officer, West and Central Africa at MiracleFeet

Summary

• The Program Field Officer (PFO) will support the facilitation, development, and implementation of national-driven programs aimed at timely and equitable treatment of children with clubfoot in the West and Central African (WCA) region. The PFO will assist the program team in leading MiracleFeet’s Nigeria program, strengthening and scaling efforts, communicating with field partners and stakeholders, reviewing, evaluating, and monitoring MiracleFeet-supported clubfoot treatment initiatives. The responsibilities of the PFO will include staying informed about relevant issues, trends, and policy developments related to clubfoot and public health; establishing and nurturing relationships with other key stakeholders, particularly partners; and participating in stakeholder collaborations. Additionally, the PFO will participate in cross-programmatic and organization-wide activities. The PFO will report to the Program Manager, West and Central Africa, and collaborate closely with the rest of the program management team. The position is based in Nigeria.

Essential Functions

Program Development, Monitoring and Strategic Planning

• Support MiracleFeet’s expansion efforts in WCA countries with more focus on Nigeria while supporting the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of program and partner activities.
• Support in developing and advancing partnerships and assisting in growing MiracleFeet’s network of strategic allies in the region.
• Strengthening relationships with project partners, providing programmatic assistance, appreciative coaching, and empathy.
• Facilitate, conduct, and maintain due diligence in sourcing, screening, selecting, evaluating, and strengthening existing and potential partners.
• Guide partners to be sustainable and impactful in their day-to-day work and thrive beyond MiracleFeet's funding while promoting advocacy activities with key government leaders and other decision makers.
• Ensure that clubfoot programs are designed and implemented in alignment with MiracleFeet’s core values, and in line with the RunFree2030 Global Plan.
• Meaningfully and actively support MiracleFeet organization-wide activities, events, and campaigns to advance the treatment of clubfoot.
• Together with the Program Manager, West and Central Africa provide on-going support and capacity building to partners and provide direction and guidance in accordance with MiracleFeet’s organizational priorities and strategic approach.
• Lead in developing plans with the Nigeria partners to ensure growth, quality, and sustainability in all programmatic activities, including guiding partners in the development and implementation of their scopes of work, budgets, work plans, and grant agreements.
• Work closely with the Nigeria partners to develop plans to further improve quality of treatment as well as outreach, identification and referral processes, and treatment compliance.
• Contribute to the integration of clubfoot into the public health systems of Nigeria country programs while supporting the strengthening of health systems through activities such as identifying opportunities for workforce development, information systems integration, and access to services.
• Assist partners in data-driven decision making through analysis and interpretation of program outcomes utilizing innovative tools such as Salesforce, and CommCare.
• Provide support to and work closely with Application Systems Analyst and support efforts in data collection and utilization for decision-making.
• Provide programmatic support to partners to achieve Key Performance Indicators embraced by MiracleFeet and Global Clubfoot Initiative.
• Advise partners on best practice approaches, and information on organizational effectiveness, governance, and leadership, as well as strategic planning as appropriate.
• Review partners’ financial reports to ensure alignment with reported program activities and plans.

Contribute to general program management knowledge

• Collaborate with other members of the Programs Team to develop and implement best practices in public health, clubfoot management, including parent education, outreach, and advocacy.
• Keep a finger on the pulse of relevant literature, articles, events, convenings, and trending news relevant to clubfoot treatment and expansion in Nigeria.
• Under the guidance of the Director of Programs and in collaboration with the Programs Team, develop, refine, and implement MiracleFeet's organizational priorities and strategic approaches.
• Monitor developments in the public health field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities in alignment with MiracleFeet's Operating Plan.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external parties to facilitate regional and thematic knowledge exchange to promote learning among partners and clubfoot champions in the region.
• Work collaboratively with other MiracleFeet team members and partners on cross-program projects, such as development of conference presentations, fundraising, and support for general programs' initiatives.
• Work to advocate and support the implementation of MiracleFeet innovation projects in compliance with each country partner’s national policy or relevant guidelines.
• Participate in the advancement of organization-wide initiatives, including working groups or task forces.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have a graduate degree in public health, social development, or child development.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in program management is required, ideally in public health, child protection, or child-oriented development.
• Demonstrated experience working with Nigeria government supported initiatives and in partners capacity strengthening and mentoring, as well as the experience leading advocacy initiatives.
• Professional proficiency in English required and local languages from the region is highly appreciated.
• Knowledge of the context is a plus.
• Ability to travel (up to 30% of the time)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong Nigeria-based network (in global health, human rights, child protection, or similar), as well as the gravitas and skills to engage key high-level stakeholders.
• Clear alignment with MiracleFeet’s approach and organizational values, including a deep capacity to work with and for national initiatives to facilitate the sustainable treatment of clubfoot in West Africa.
• Demonstrated expertise in working with public health systems, and communities in Nigeria and beyond using participatory approaches.
• Experience in grants proposal preparation.
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ample proven experience preparing reports, concept notes and other documentation.
• Ability to analyze and interpret program data, use data to drive decision-making and share that information to multiple audiences.
• Ability to understand and manage the power differential in the funder-partner relationship as well as the ability to handle all relationships with humility and respect.
• An open, analytical, critical thinking mindset as well as a keen interest in learning.