Project Officer - Health System Strengthening at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary

• The Health Systems Strengthening Officer under the direct supervision of HSS Advisor will be responsible for the coordination of HSS component of ICHSA4 project in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara. The incumbent in this role will support the implementation of interventions with the use of USAID/WHO Health Systems framework and Pro-Health International (PHI) approach to systems strengthening to facilitate changes required to embed and institutionalize OVC Case Management and Sustainability into the health and social systems at the state, LGAs and community levels.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource for up-to-date technical information on how OVC program can strengthen health systems including providing technical support to department of local government health services, LACA, local government social welfare unit and other key stakeholders at the community level
• Support State and Local Government Social Welfare Unit in its efforts to harmonize partner coordination and donor alignment
• Support the projects efforts towards the institutionalization of specific OVC interventions and integrated community case management
• Provide technical support to Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara SACA, LGA Social Welfare Unit, Local Government Health Department in developing LGA capacity to coordinate community level OVC/HIV/AIDS interventions
• Provide mentoring, coaching and hands on support in establishing effective systems for planning, monitoring and coordination of the OVC response at the States and LGAs level
• Provide timely reports to CRS Nigeria and PHI ICHSSA-4 project on all activities conducted at the state and LGA levels.
• Responsible for the backstopping of ICHSSA-4 project CSO partner on the delivery of the community and health level services for the beneficiaries

Required Languages - English and Hausa Language required

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% of the time to the field locations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Excellent English language Oral and written communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills; and demonstrated experience in supporting the strategic design and implementation of OVC and HIV/AIDS programs.
• Relevant track record of HIV/AIDS programming, understanding of the PEPFAR 95-95-95 goals and proven ability to produce demonstrable technical and program results
• Knowledge and understanding of OVC issues, Child Protection and Adolescent challenges and policy for HIV Care for Children, and OVC Case Management, in addition to good knowledge of key actors in these fields.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is preferred.
• Good interpersonal skills including ability to work with multiple stakeholders successfully and to create linkages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).