About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.                                                                                                   

Job Summary

CRS is seeking a Program Manager Partnership and Community Immunization Services for the CDC-funded global childhood immunization project. The project will reach zero- and under-immunized children with immunization services in Northern Nigeria including fragile and conflict settings. Project interventions will focus on: (a) Supporting immunization uptake for polio eradication, measles and rubella reduction and elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination; (b) strengthening surveillance systems to improve preparedness and response to outbreaks of VPDs; strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities. The program manager for partnerships and community immunization services will provide technical and programmatic support to the POISED project consortium partners. The position holder is also expected to work with POISED’s Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and the Immunization and MEAL leads on high level matters. She/he will work directly with NPHCDA, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, other Implementing Partners (IP), and the Local Partners to implement the project in the designated states and other areas as determined. This will also include working with Government of Nigeria and other critical stakeholders in the Health and Humanitarian space. The PM will ensure the delivery of high-quality programming and continuously work towards increasing program impact.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with partners to ensure all program and related reports are collated, reviewed and are of high-quality for submission to the Immunization Lead on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Monitor and mentor the program teams and volunteers to ensure they reach program participants in mapped out areas, working together with the immunization lead, consortium partners and the relevant stakeholders.
• Engage with the local partners to develop program strategies to increase project performance using the SIA calendar and annual and quarterly work plans with close guidance from the Immunization Lead and POISED HQ team.
• Provide support to capture and share success stories, case studies, and lessons from the project.
• Build and maintain healthy relationships with consortium partners, the government and immunization actors to ensure coordination and the implementation of immunization strengthening activities.
• Support the development, strengthening and implementation of state, LGA and CBO strategic and annual plans
• Facilitate linkages and foster collaboration and coordination with key stakeholders including relevant national, state, and local government authorities, partners and civil society organizations involved in Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
• Directly supervises the work of Community Based Organizations and Ward Focal Persons to ensure efficient and effective contribution to project goals.
• Oversee extensive technical and programmatic activities in project locations to ensure high quality, evidence‐based approaches, and effective implementation to increase access to immunization, and quality of services at the facility and community levels for implementation of the project
• Contribute to the development of evidence‐based training materials and standards, supportive supervision materials and approaches, job aids, and other systems and tools for diverse stakeholders in line with approved national guidelines.
• Conduct regular field visits in collaboration with key national, state, and LGA PHCDA MOH stakeholders and facilitate follow up on recommendations
• Ensure CRS’ commitment to safeguarding is upheld within the programming areas.
• Support the partners to review their monthly activity costed workplan on monthly basis and share with the immunization lead.
• support in organizing meetings, workshops, trainings, and events related to program activities. Coordinate logistics, including venue booking, travel arrangements, and participant communication in collaboration with project Admin officer.
• Support the tracking and monitoring of program expenditures, ensuring adherence to budgetary guidelines.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of program activities, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Contribute to the development and implementation of program indicators and targets.
• Support the state in development of the AOP and any other health and program related document.
• Liaise with other state actors to ensure coordination and the implementation of routine immunization, Polio and non-polio SIAs activities.
• Ensure development and submission of Abstracts in relation to the project implementation for presentation at national and international conferences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and creative critical thinking skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to draft reports.
• Initiative-taking, purposeful, and service-oriented
• Strong skills in negotiating with and engaging stakeholders at all levels of the health system.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience in engaging marginalized and vulnerable or other related health projects is highly desirable.
• Experience working in Northern Nigeria or similar contexts a plus.
• Experience engaging in coordination meetings with donors, UN, and other international NGOs.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems..

Required Languages – High level of proficiency in both written and spoken English. Local languages such as Hausa preferred.

Travel – 75% travel to target states and communities as security allows.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none) : Senior Project Officers and Project Officers

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Head of Programs, Deputy Head of Programs, Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative Operations, Head of Office, Operations Staff, Regional and HQ Technical Advisors

External: MoH, Primary Health Care Agencies at National and States, Development Partners, other INGO representatives

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, international development, or related field required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating stakeholders at federal, State and LGA levels, and managing Community Based organizations, advocacy to community-based stakeholders, experienced in in gender integration and child protection projects required, preferably with an international NGO.

Safeguarding:

CRS is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all people who interact with our work. We uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and expect all staff and partners to respect and protect the dignity and rights of everyone from any form of harm, abuse, harassment, or exploitation. All staff are required to follow CRS’s safeguarding policies and procedures and to complete mandatory safeguarding e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.