Programs Support, Rivers State at Evidence Action

Job Purpose:

The position will support the senior manager of the zone in planning and implementation of all aspects of Deworm the World (DTW) program as well as help in advocacies and any other tasks as delegated. The senior manager of the zone has been assigned to lead the Country Safe Water program, hence he needs an experienced hire to support in carrying out delegated roles in the programs in the zone: Rivers and CRS. The person will help in the coordination, planning, implementation, reporting etc to actualize the set objectives for the zone with support from other team members

Key Responsibilities:

Program Planning and Coordination

• Support to coordinate with state Ministries of Health and Education, Primary Health Care Development Agency, SUBEB and other relevant government departments on program and operational planning and effective implementation of the DTWi program 
• Support to Coordinate and collaborate with other EA partners and implementing organizations active in the state for smooth running of the program
• Support state officials to develop a comprehensive plan and timeline as well as operational plan aligned with DTWi guidelines and state context with supervision from the Senior Manager
• Monitor implementation of state-level workplans and identify and resolve bottlenecks
• Support state officials to use the national tools in reporting the zonal program
• Facilitate state- and LGA-level planning, training, review, supervision and monitoring of activities and meetings with government stakeholders
• Facilitate engagement, advocacies, mobilization and sensitization with the state government and other stakeholders for smooth running of the programs

 Training

• Support to Organize the state and LGA training cascade in collaboration with state officials
• Monitor implementation of training activities at state, LGA, and school levels

 Supply Chain Support

• Support state officials to develop supply chain and distribution plans and ensure delivery of materials and medicines to the LGAs, schools/ wards
• Conduct remote monitoring to ensure DTWi supplies are delivered to LGAs in accordance with the approved distribution plan, and flag stockouts or supply chain bottlenecks
• Coordinate with state officials on quantification and forecasting of medicines and materials supplies
• Support resource mobilization efforts to sustain cost effectiveness coverage in the state

 Community Engagement and Sensitization

• Ensure distribution of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials as planned
• Coordinate community-level engagement meetings to promote awareness of DTWi

 Monitoring and Evaluation

• Collaborate with the zonal MLE personnel to oversee implementation of independent monitoring and coverage surveys by contracted survey firms
• Undertake periodic monitoring visits to LGAs and schools/ communities (as needed and as security allows)
• Share findings and recommendations with state officials and Evidence Action program management

Requirements

• Minimum: HND/ Bachelor\'s degree or its equivalence inHealth, Education, Social Sciences, or related field
• Minimum 5-10 years of progressive experience in health and education programs, preferably in school health, deworming, or mass drug administration (MDA) programs.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with government health/education systems at state or LGA level
• Experience in multi-state program coordination or implementation
• Experience training and building capacity of government staff and community stakeholders

Technical Skills

• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation, data collection and reporting
• Budget tracking and financial management
• Supply chain planning, quantification, and distribution management
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and data management tools

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal)
• Strong negotiation and relationship management abilities
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse communities
• Fluency in English (required); knowledge of local languages is an advantage

Other Requirements

• Ability to work in resource-limited and sometimes insecure environments