Senior Program Officer / Health System Strengthening Specialist at Management Sciences for Health - Zamfara

Management Sciences for Health (MSH)  saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

MSH is seeking to recruit a Senior Program Officer / Health System Strengthening Specialist who will be based in Zamfara, Zamfara State.

Job Title: Senior Program Officer / Health System Strengthening Specialist - Zamfara

Job ID: 13-6617
Location: NG-Zamfara State

Overall Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the State Team Leader the SPO/HSS Specialist will provides program management support and coordination in planning, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of assigned project activities at state level. S/he will work with the State Team Leader and other thematic Areas Specialist to provide support to and coordinate assigned MSH Nigeria ProACT project activities at district offices in the state in accordance with the MSH and donor guidelines and regulations.

S/he will assist in strengthening systems of reporting on program progress against stated objectives and provides information in setting the broad parameters for HSS initiatives as HSS activities are implemented. Document plans for HSS activities and communicate these plans using approved channels and prepare progress and other written reports on HSS activities. This position will be located in SACA Secretariat/SMoH and provide day to day direct technical support to SACA and SMOH in ProACT project states.

Specific Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the State Team Leader, the SPO / HSS will; among other responsibilities:

• Provide programmatic/technical and administrative support and coordination of the work of the MSH Program with the state SACA, MOH and other line ministries in ProACT states;
• Work with the State Team Leader and other technical Specialists to provide support to and coordinate assigned MSH Nigeria ProACT project activities at district offices in the state in accordance with the MSH and USAID guidelines and regulations;
• Serve as the point of contact with State government officials in the absence of the State Team Leader;
• Support the State Technical Specialists and District Officers in building capacity of state and LGA management teams to undertake strategic and annual planning, resourcing and monitoring HIV/AIDS and TB programs;
• Assist in program planning, design, review, monitoring and evaluation including programmatic reporting;
• Establish systems that support state and local governments to map resources for HIV/AIDS and TB, budget resources according to priorities and evidence, monitor disbursements and budget performance; including transitioning of PEPFAR HIV/AIDS treatment and care programme
• Work with the Capacity Building Advisor and consultants to develop grantee CSOs organizational systems capacity to plan, manage and monitor small grants
• Document plans for HSS activities and communicate these plans using approved channels and communicate progress through monthly, quarterly and annual reports on HSS activities;
• Coordinate and collaborate with all public sectors, NGOs and other developmental partners in the program state for effective resource mobilization and harmonization for greater impact
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the State Team Leader and Director of Health System Strengthening.

Qualifications
Master's Degree in public health or behavioural science with at least 5 years’ experience working at a senior level on health systems strengthening; candidates with Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 7 yrs. experience in HIV/AIDS programming, project management at the national, state or community levels will be considered.

Other requirements:

• Demonstrate capacity to network and negotiate with key stakeholders across different sectors in support of health or HIV/AIDS programs.
• Experience working with PEPFAR / USAID-funded HIV/AIDS or DFID Health System strengthening funded projects is highly desirable.
• Substantial experience and demonstrated success in designing, implementing and managing complex health project in developing countries.
• Excellent facilitation skills’ supporting decentralized entities to translate policies into strategic plans for implementation is a required.
• Knowledge of international development programs will be an added advantage
• Excellent computer literacy in MS word, excel and powerpoint is a must.
• Nigerian or West African country experience is preferred

Application Closing Date
11th June, 2013

Method of Application
Qualified and Interested candidates should
Click Here To Apply Online