Program Specialist at The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research

About ICHSSA

• The Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award ICHSSA 1 is a newly awarded five-year agreement by USAID, commenced on December 19, 2019. ICHSSA 1 is implemented by Center for Clinical Care and Research Nigeria.
• The project will ensure that Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are cared for, and protected by their households, communities, and local and state government to reduce their vulnerability to HIV.

The project expected results is highlighted as follows:

• Households have increased access to basic services and care for OVC
• Communities ensure that OVC secure their rights
• Local and State Government deliver basic services, detect and respond to child rights violations
• Prioritized targeted services for specific OVC subpopulations delivered

Job Summary

• The Program Specialists supports the State program manager in the coordination of all CSO activities in the state, in line with project implementation plan. S/He ensures that all CSO activities in the state meet effective programming standards and best practices established by USAID and the Nigerian Government especially the National Standards for Improving the Quality of Life of Vulnerable Children in Nigeria.
• S/He ensures that services provided to vulnerable children are needs based and in line with the National service standard and the PEPFAR guidelines. S/He provides support to the CBOs, Identify capacity gaps and recommend to other team members to strengthen technical capacity.
• Support the state team lead to  carry advocacy, support community improvement team, provides timely update on grant ,work plan and coordinate state project activities to ensure successful implementation of all projects. 

Job Description

• S/he will work with the State Program Manager to support the implementation of high-quality care and support activities for orphans and vulnerable children.
• The incumbent will coordinate the implementation of OVC program activities in line with PEPFAR guidelines within the state.
• Identify programmatic areas that are lagging behind on service coverage (such as PMTCT & EID) and initiate dialogue and actions with other team members
• Support the development of sustainable models for HIV care and support along the HIV cascade to different OVC sub-populations.
• Interfacing with GON, USG partners, and CBOs to facilitate synergies and initiatives to improve the package of care and support services to beneficiaries.
• S/he will strengthen linkages between CBOs, state and LGA structures for improved coordination of OVC service delivery planning and implementation at the community level.
• S/he ensure planned project results are achieved and documented at the CSOs level
• The incumbent will support the development of state work plans for the project and coordinate the implementation and reporting on all activities; receive and review monthly programmatic performance reports from CBOs and health facilities.
• S/he will directly manage sub-award recipients assigned for the purpose of coordinating implementation and service provision to the beneficiaries.
• Responsible for monthly work plan review with recommendation for approval, ensure program implementation is aligned with approved work plan and review monthly programmatic reports and ensure monthly expense liquidation aligns with approved budgets
• Provide regular feedbacks to CSOs on gaps in project implementation and recommend capacity development as may be necessary.
• Other duties assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory: This position has no supervisory role
• Internal: State Program Manager, CSO Partners

Agency Wide Competences (for all CCCRN staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CCCRN and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. CCCRN core values are; Excellence, Knowledge, Professionalism, Accountability, Diversity and Collaboration

Qualifications and Skills

• Degree in Social or Behavioral Science, Nursing, Public Health or a related field; Solid working knowledge (practical skills) in PEPFAR OVC care and support highly desired.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in health program management in Nigeria including HIV, with at least three years’ experience working on HIV/AIDS Care, treatment and support programs in national or resource poor settings.
• Previous 5 years’ experience of managing sub-award recipients
• Knowledge and understanding of pediatric home-based care, gender, stigma and discrimination.
• Experience in coordinating HIV/AIDS program implementation. Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English, with high impact influencing and persuasive skills and able to represent the organization to donors and partners
• Ability to work closely with CSO partners, government agencies and commitment to network mission.
• Good experience of using Ms. Word, Excel or knowledgeable on NOMIS M&E package and good understanding of institutional capacity building, grant management, service delivery and proposal development.