Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Recruits Program Officer, Vaccines Program - 4 Positions

The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) was established in 2002 to increase access to care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and to strengthen health systems in resource-poor countries. Over the past few years, CHAI has expanded the scope of our work to include access to high-quality treatment for malaria, new vaccines, and essential treatments for common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia. CHAI has also increasingly supported governments to build the capacity required for high-quality health care and treatment programs. Currently, CHAI partners with governments in more than 25 countries while more than 70 countries directly benefit from the low-priced drugs and diagnostic test agreements that CHAI has negotiated.

CHAI has been working in the vaccine space in Nigeria since 2011. Currently, our work focuses on supporting the Government of Nigeria to both introduce new vaccines and to increase the coverage rates of all routine vaccines. In 2013, CHAI has started a new program of work to support the Government of Nigeria and state governments to improve the supply chain for vaccines. This work is based on the fact that robust and efficient vaccine supply chains are needed for Nigeria to successfully introduce new vaccines and increase immunization coverage. CHAI Nigeria is seeking to hire State Level Program Officers to work on this new vaccine supply chain program.

Job Title: Program Officer, Vaccines Program

Location: Kano, Nasarawa, Lagos, Rivers
Number of Position: 1 per state

Responsibilities

• The State Level Program Officers will join the CHAI Nigeria vaccines team and will work with the vaccines team to enable CHAI, the Government of Nigeria, state governments, and partners achieve transformational impact in improving the vaccines supply chain in Nigeria. We are seeking highly motivated individuals with outstanding credentials, analytical ability, and communication skills. The successful candidates must be able to function independently and flexibly as well as build strong relationships with government officials and partners. Additionally, the successful candidates will adhere to the CHAI values of: resourcefulness, entrepreneurialism, flexibility, independence, humility, and work ethic.
• The state level vaccine supply chain Program Officers will be based in Kano, Nasarawa, Lagos and Rivers states, with significant domestic travel within Nigeria.
• Work closely with officials from the State Primary Health Care Development Agencies/State Ministries of Heath, and other stakeholders, in the design and implementation of State strategies to improve the supply chain for immunization commodities. Specific focus areas will include: project development, planning, budgeting, program management, data collection and analysis, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Work with State Program Analysts to collect and analyze data on immunization supply chain performance in focus states and LGAs.
• Actively participate in identifying, designing, and implementing high-impact interventions to improve immunization supply chain in focus states and LGAs.
• Provide on-site supervision and coordination of immunization supply chain activities at selected facilities, working directly with Government and facility staff.
• Assist CHAI staff with the ongoing “on the ground” management of all program activities pertaining to vaccines supply chain.
• Participate in and help with facilitating immunization supply chain training and mentorship activities at health facilities, and LGA and state vaccine stores.
• Organize logistics for state level field work.
• Support the CHAI Supply Chain Program Manager in monitoring implementation of new immunization supply chain program and in identifying and implementing corrective measures to rectify persistently low coverage.
• Perform additional activities as requested by the Supply Chain Program Manager.

Requirements

• A Bachelors degree in Business, Medicine, Finance, Economics, Logistics/Supply Chain Management, Public Health or other related disciplines from a reputable university. A Master’s degree in Public Health, Economics, or Business/Public Administration preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years work experience in private sector, public health or a related field.
• Strong problem solving skills and experience working under demanding work plans and tight budgets.
• Experience organizing trainings, conducting field visits, and providing support to health facilities.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal relationship skills; experience working with government officials at provincial and LGA levels.
• Ability to travel within Nigeria.
• Strong analytical skills and technical proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint, with ability to use these tools to collect and analyze immunization program data.
• Good business-oriented verbal, visual and written communication skills.
• Ability to create well-written, succinct project reports.
• Ability to solve challenging problems without extensive structural or operational support and adapt to fast-paced and changing environments.
• Previous experience working in a developing country with an ability to function in rural settings with limited infrastructure.
• Experience in supply chain and logistics strongly preferred.
• Experience working in public health- preferably in developing countries.
• Experience working with national and/or sub-national Governments/Ministries of Health in developing countries.
• In depth understanding of the Nigerian health system and routine immunization program.

Application Closing Date
14th February, 2014

Method Of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply