State Consultant (CHAN-UNICEF ZERO-DOSE IT Project) at Christian Health Association of Nigeria

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• This project directly responds to the UNICEF–Republic of Korea partnership priority to intensify routine immunization and outbreak response while strengthening systems in countries with the highest zero-dose burden. This aligns with Nigeria’s National Immunization Strategy, Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), and national commitments to equity, primary health care strengthening, and disease elimination. It focuses on strengthening routine immunization systems and reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children across high-burden LGAs in Nigeria. Implemented in collaboration with government health agencies and partners, the initiative combines targeted service delivery, community engagement, and health systems strengthening to improve equitable access to life-saving vaccines and reduce outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Key interventions include the expansion of fixed and outreach immunization services, establishment of robust defaulter-tracking systems, periodic intensification of routine immunization (PIRI), and the mobilization of community structures to address behavioural and access barriers. The project also integrates essential child health services and supports capacity building for state, LGA, and ward-level teams to enhance service delivery and data use for decision-making.
• In addition, the programme incorporates malaria vaccine intensification efforts in Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kebbi, and Ondo States, contributing to the reduction of malaria burden among children under five while complementing broader immunization goals.

REPORTING LINE

The state consultant reports directly to the Project Coordinator

Key Responsibilities

• Lead field implementation of Project activities in line with project strategy, objectives, and activity plan in the selected States.
• Develop work plans and ensure timely implementation of project activities with the support of the field project team and other partners.
• Increased immunization coverage (Penta3, MCV1, etc.)
• Reduction in zero-dose and under-immunized children
• Functional defaulter-tracking systems
• Improved PIRI performance and reach
• Strengthened community demand for immunization
• Enhanced capacity of health teams
• Increased malaria vaccine uptake (priority states)
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• Plan and coordinate the training of project and government staff to increase their capacity to deliver quality programmes.
• Coordinate with field teams to ensure that guidance and mentoring are provided to healthcare providers and community partners.
• Working with the State Government (SPHCDA/B, SMoH, and related agencies and MDAs), UNICEF State team, and other relevant stakeholders, collect as well as supervise the collection of secondary data on key indicators on immunization.
• Review existing assessment reports by the MOH, SPHCDA/B, and other related partners.
• In collaboration with other team members, ensure high-quality technical reports are timely produced that clearly describe progress made, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Represent CHAN and its partners in technical working group and coordination meetings.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor (Project Coordinator)
• Lead end-to-end programme implementation and performance management
• Support with State M&E functions and manage state-level data systems (as designed by the National M&E lead) with intermediate level understanding of Power BI to manage dashboards
• Interact with the government stakeholders, state-level M&E as well as UNICEF M&E to support their activities

Malaria Vaccine Intensification (Priority States)

(Applicable for Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Ondo)

• Support rollout and scale-up of malaria vaccine delivery
• Integrate malaria vaccination into routine immunization platforms
• Monitor uptake and coverage among children under five

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, or Social Sciences.
• A Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology-related field is an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5 (five) years of professional work experience in a complex NGO environment, preferably managing major public health projects and initiatives, preferably in child health programming and immunization, SIAs, and zero-dose programming.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating and establishing strong relationships with fragile communities, government officials, NGOs, donors, youth-led organizations, and community-based institutions.
• Previous experience in fragile, conflict, and cross-border settings; and experience in immunization, primary health care service delivery, vaccine supply chain management, demand creation, and community engagement/mobilization strongly preferred.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, decision-making, advocacy, and communication skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop technical capacity in staff.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).