Senior Program Officer

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

IDG’s The Global Health Division (GHD), works in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases; Global Health Security and Public Health Preparedness; Noncommunicable Diseases: Heath Systems Strengthening - including Health Governance, Health Finance, Human Resources for Health, Capacity Building, and Health Policy and Advocacy; and Integrated Care - including Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health and Family Planning. We address a range of public health problems to reduce disparities, lower disease burdens, and build locally owned sustainable health programs.

Project Description

Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) East, is an eight-year (2018 – 2026) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through which RTI International supports through which RTI supports and expands Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) control and elimination in priority countries including Nigeria. The Project Goal is to support the government of NTD endemic countries to control and/or eliminate NTDs with proven, cost-effective public health interventions. To learn more about Act East’s work, visit

Working with the Federal and State Ministries of Health in Nigeria, the project provides funding and technical support for the implementation of elimination activities for five targeted NTDs: lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. The project works through the NTD units at national, state and LGA levels to deliver its’ mandate of NTD control and elimination.

Position Description

RTI seeks a Senior Program Officer (SPO) who will work directly under the supervision of the Implementation Manager to coordinate with Federal and State Ministries of Health, and other Act East partners in providing oversight during planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of Act I East program activities. The SPO will work closely with the Program Officer, the MERLA Manager, and the Finance & Administration Manager on a day-to-day basis, to support effective implementation of Act East contributions to the national NTD program. RTI International is always seeking to expand its portfolio. This position may be expected to support additional projects expansion role if awarded.

The position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and will report to the Implementation Manager.

Responsibilities

Programmatic Functions (Planning, Coordination of Implementation and Reporting)

Under the direction of the Implementation Manager (IM), the SPO will provide technical support, supervise and monitor Act East’s field activities for reporting on progress measured against expected results noted in the Nigeria Act East annual work plan.

Coordinate with Federal and State Ministries of Health in planning and preparation of meetings as required with Act East counterparts such as zonal review meetings, technical working groups and expert committee meetings, along with project supervisory visits to assess progress against the expected results noted within Act East’s annual work plan.

Contribute to technical activities based on the program's strategic directions, this includes developing implementation plans for nation-wide scale-up of Disease Specific Assessments (DSAs) for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Onchocerciasis (OV), and for Post-Transmission Surveillance preparedness for states completing assessments.

In collaboration with key stakeholders, provide technical support for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting processes for the scale-down of mass drug administration (MDA) for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas.

Ensure the development and adherence to workplans and budgets for the achievement of planned project outputs and targets for all Act East projects in Nigeria.

Coordinate capacity building initiatives as may be required for government partners at LGA, State and National levels.

Work with the Implementation Manager to coordinate and ensure the completion of annual work plans, semi-annual reports, and monthly updates.

Support the Implementation Manager in ensuring adherence to all donor requirements in program implementation and reporting.

Program Monitoring Functions

Support the implementation Manager, and work with the MERLA Manager, on internal and external evaluations on the outcomes of program activities as established during the planning phase; and to disseminate findings.

Work with the MERLA Manager to develop protocols for disease-specific assessments, coverage evaluation surveys and the respective reports., in collaboration with the FMOH, SMOH, and HQ-based program staff.

Program Advocacy and Strategic Alliances

Support the Implementation Manager and the COP (Chief of Party) to build and maintain meaningful working relationships with both government and key program stakeholders at all levels to strengthen opportunities for advocacy for Act East project.

Represent Act East among local partners and at other appropriate fora, as may be requested by the Implementation Manager or the COP.

Carry out additional tasks and support to other senior officer(s) of the Federal and State Ministry of Health, as may be requested by the Implementation Manager or the COP.

Qualifications

Masters degree and 3 years of experience in NTD or Bachelor degree and 5 years of experience in NTD.

Prior experience with USAID funded programs or RTI Projects will be an added advantage.

Experience in logistics and supply chain management, preferably for NTD commodities in Nigeria

Good understanding of the health system structure and NTD intervention environment in Nigeria

Extensive field experience in targeted districts and solid understanding of the realities and complexities of working in hard-to-reach villages with marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

Demonstrated experience in managing M&E activities.

Demonstrated experience in the implementation of community-based programs.

Program and Administrative experience, preferably for an organization implementing international programs in developing country settings.

Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, and be proactive, resourceful, efficient, and ability to manage stress, with a high level of integrity and professionalism.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; and ability to communicate respectfully in a multi-cultural environment

Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Excellent active learner, critical thinking and open minded.

Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office, including Word, Power Point, and Excel.

Willingness to travel within Nigeria up to 50% of the time.

Regular Full-Time