Technical Lead, Nigeria at Project Hope

POSITION SUMMARY: 

• The Technical Lead will provide vision, leadership, and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of the project in their country of focus.
• The technical lead will be responsible for overseeing the technical components of the program, including evidence analysis and decision making; developing vaccine introduction and implementation plans; creating training materials; epidemiological assessments; establishing vaccination campaigns, and routine immunization strengthening. S/he will provide technical support for the following activities: 
• Provide technical assistance for training of health workers and teachers during the introduction of HPV vaccine;
• Provide technical support to monitoring of routine delivery of HPV vaccine in schools and health facilities with the purpose of increasing immunisation coverage;
• In collaboration with other partners monitor the implementation of immunization services at all level to ensure compliance with policies and guidelines; and assist in vaccine management and supply chain, among others. 
• S/he will provide technical assistance to local implementing partners and government counterparts to build local capacity for implementation of evidence-based vaccine interventions.     

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Technical

• Specific roles and responsibilities of the Senior Technical Manager, HPV program will primarily focus on introducing the HPV decision making, planning and implementation activities which include:
• Provide overall guidance on data and evidence to support prioritization of vaccine introductions/campaigns, product choice and vaccination schedule.
• Provide overall strategic guidance and work with the Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) to Support for decision-making within wider health sector priorities and strategies.
• Support for decision-making within wider health sector priorities and strategies.
• Engage with NITAG, HSCC/ICC and other high-level stakeholders and in-country decision making bodies to discuss technical issues.
• Support costing or cost effectiveness analysis to support decision-making.
• Provide guidance on comprehensive, multisectoral, cervical cancer control and HIV/AIDS, school, and non-school based strategies.
• Support development of application requesting vaccine and vaccine introduction grant (VIG)/operational costs support (OPs) for New Vaccine Support (NVS) or Switch grant funding; missed cohorts up to 18-years-old.
• Assist the MSPP with program planning and preparation (routine intros and MAC catch ups). Including:
• Support countries in the development of detailed introduction/implementation/switch plan(s) within wider operational planning processes.
• Supporting countries in development of training materials.
• Coordinate, review and validate planning tools, such as introduction readiness tool or SIA readiness assessment tool.
• Social mobilization, advocacy and communications. Map and lead local partners in community engagement, social mobilization, and communication.
• Logistic and vaccine and other supplies management.
• Develop and prepare logistic and cold chain plans including improvements, vaccine, and other supplies distribution plan.
• Assist in the implementation of logistic, cold chain and supply distribution plan.
• Assist with vaccine distribution.
• Collaborate with PAHO, UNICEF, MSPP, departmental governments, and other key Ministries in Nigeria for effective planning and implementation of HPV vaccine program.
• Serve as a focal person for Project HOPE’s HPV vaccine-related work in the region.
• Execute addition responsibility given by supervisor.

MINIMUM REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health Officer or BSc nursing or master’s degree in public health or related field.
• Minimum five (10) years’ experience for first degree and five (5) years for master’s degree in public health programming, with experience in the area of immunization and maternal/child health programs and new vaccine introduction.
• Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with government, partners, donors and international organizations at various levels.
• Experience in facilitating meetings and moderating complex discussions with a variety of stakeholders (including religious and clan leaders) preferred.
• Ability to be effective in high-pressure situations, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, and set priorities and work under minimal/remote supervision.
• Skilled in successfully working with geographically dispersed teams and working in a multi-cultural environment. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Experience in using Microsoft offices (power point, outlook, excel and word) and statistical packages like Epi info, SPSS, STATA and other apps like ODK.
• Excellent  written and oral communication skills in English and French is mandatory.
• Knowledge of the political, social, economic, and cultural context of regions.
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to travel to departments, estimated to be about 60%.

CHARACTERISTICS/TRAITS:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills that allow for productive cooperation with duty station employees and regional teams.
• Proficiency in team motivation, including presentations, training, mentoring, and skill transfer.
• Excellent fluency in written and verbal communication
• Able to lead a team or project, manage several priorities, and operate with little guidance or supervision.
• Demonstratable critical and creative thinking skills.