Program Officer at RTI International

Job Description

• The Program Officer will provide programmatic support to Act East partners, sub grantees and Local Government Areas (LGAs) during planning, implementation, and monitoring of Act to End NTDs I East program activities.
• He/She will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP), the MERLA Specialist, the Program Accountant, the Procurement & Logistics Officer, and the Finance Manager to support effective implementation of Act | East contributions to the national NTD program.

Essential Duties
Program Planning / Development / Coordination:
Under the direction of the COP, the Program Officer will coordinate, supervise, and monitor the implementation of the overall Act | East field activities and will:

• Assist the COP in monitoring of Act | East activities by attending meetings as required with Act | East counterparts and visiting project sites for reporting on progress measured against expected results noted in the Nigeria Act | East annual work plan.
• Contribute to the development of technical activities based on the strategic directions of the program primarily focusing on sub-grantees and Local Government Areas.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop implementation plans to scale-down mass drug administration (MDA) to treat onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma.
• Ensure the development and adherence to workplans and budgets for the achievement of planned project outputs and targets for all Act | East projects in Nigeria
• Coordinate capacity building initiatives as may be required for government partners at LGA, State and National levels
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop implementation plans for nation-wide scale-up of Disease Specific Assessments (DSAs) for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Onchocerciasis (OV) and plan for Post-Transmission Surveillance preparedness for states completing assessments.
• Support partners and Act | East country team to identify and develop innovative approaches and technical activities based on the strategic directions of Act | East program in Nigeria
• Participate in program and activity planning and implementation.
• Work with the MERLA Specialist to develop the Act | East/Nigeria M&E plan and coordinate its implementation among sub-grantees and LGAs
• Coordinate with State and LGAs Health Workers and offices in Act | East supported LGAs to ensure timely implementation of planned activities.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Information Processing:

• Provide written reports of program field activities at the direction of the COP
• Contribute to the annual work plan and semi-annual reports, at the direction of the COP
• Prepare presentations and graphic material for Act | East, work plans, and other documents
• Assist in the preparation of Act | East field briefs and other summary materials
• Contribute to the capture and dissemination of information on project activities, outcomes, best practices, and lessons learned including success stories and articles for publication on the Act | East website and in other fora.

Management and Administrative Tasks:

• Assist the COP, Finance Manager and Accountant with budgeting for field programmatic activities
• Maintain project files for technical deliverables especially those from field activities/grantees
• Maintain project activities calendar and monitor completion of field activities
• Provide information to COP, Finance Manager, and Accountant on financial forecasts for field activities and recommend request for payment.
• Prepare list of supplies and equipment required for field activities with guidance from COP and work closely with the Accountant, Procurement and Logistics Officer to ensure procurement is affected timely.

Qualification, Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Social Sciences and at least 3 years of experience or a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 6 years of program management experience. Degree in Entomology is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of community-based programs.
• Demonstrated experience in managing M&E activities.
• Extensive field experience in targeted districts and solid understanding of the realities and complexities of working in hard-to-reach villages with marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
• Program and Administrative experience, preferably for an organization implementing international programs in developing country settings.
• Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, and be proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office, including Word, Power Point, and Excel.
• Candidate with working experience with USAID funded program or RTI Projects will be preferred.
• Willingness to travel within Nigeria up to 50%.