State Program Officer at Johns Hopkins University - 2 Positions

The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (JHU-CCP) seeks for experienced and qualified candidates to work for the following position for the USAID-funded Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3)-Nigeria project.

The overall goal of HC3-Nigeria is to support the Government of Nigeria (GoN), US government (USG) implementing partners, and local communication and behavior change professionals to design, produce and implement high quality, impactful social and behavior change communication (SBCC) interventions for malaria. In particular, HC3 is responsible for three key technical areas;
1.) Increasing capacity of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) Advocacy, Communication, Social Mobilization (ACSM) unit to provide technical leadership in SBCC,
2.) increasing capacity of State ACSM units to provide technical leadership in SBCC in two or more states (Akwa Ibom and Kebbi, initially), and
3.) contributing to increased practice of key malaria preventive and treatment behaviors among caregivers of children under live, pregnant women, and the general population. In particular, HC3 will develop GoN structures that support effective SBCC through knowledge sharing, coordination, and technical leadership, while cultivating the capacity of local researchers and implementers to meet GoN needs in designing, production, implementation, and evaluation.

JHU-CCP is recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Position: State Program Officer

Location: Kebbi or Akwa Ibom
Duration: One year with possible extension
Terms of Employment: Contract
Slot: 2

Job Description

• The State Program Officer (PO) will directly be responsible for program implementation of the HC3 portfolio in one two states (Akwa Ibom or Kebbi).
• In consultation with the HC3 Abuja team, the PO will work with the ACSM technical committees at the state level, and USG and local partners to oversee, manage, and provide technical assistance for the development, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of the HC3 SBCC program.
• The position reports directly to the Abuja-based Program Director and requires a local Nigerian with strong leadership, managerial skills, a high level of independent action, and a focus on innovation and strategic direction in capacity building, social and behavior change communication and malaria.

Specific Responsibilities
Primary duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• In consultation with the PD. manage and provide technical assistance in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a capacity strengthening project SBCC and malaria prevention in, one of two stales (Akwa Ibom or Kebbi).
• Provide programmatic oversight to all aspects of the program: coordinate effective implementation of program activities, including development of annual work plans and facilitation of timely implementation and responsiveness to stated objectives and USAID PMP.
• Develop annual program implementation budgets and monitor budget expenditures.
• Manage and supervise technical staff including non-Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU-CCP) program partners.
• In consultation with the PD and HC3 Abuja team, develop appropriate capacity building initiatives for the ASCM unit at the state level, as well as program partners and other malaria stakeholders as needed.
• Represent the HC3 Project in technical working group meetings
• Model and promote capacity building practices among all staff and partners and ensures junior staff are supported and able to fully realize and develop potential through supportive supervision and leading by example.
• Oversee the creation of quality SBCC campaigns at the state level, as well as the adaptation of national malaria SBCC materials for state campaigns.
• Work closely with the stale ACSM working group and PMI implementing partners (MAPS) to harmonize work plans and ensure collaboration of malaria activities at each state,
• In consultation with the PD, work with finance staff to appropriately budget for yearly activities.
• Periodically writes and submits program and technical reports, as well as other necessary reports as needed.

Management and Supervision:

• Oversee the performance and duties of the State Level Finance-Admin Officers.
• Provide technical support and oversight to all employees and consultants/contractors working on the above.
• Coordinate with the PD and other senior staff on strategic project management for the stain level activities.
• Identify learning needs and coordinate learning sessions for state level program staff and ACSM working group members.
• Conduct staff appraisals as appropriate of local state-level project staff and consultants.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree required. Master's degree preferred.
• Four bears senior-level field-based health development program experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years relevant experience preferred.
• In-depth program experience in Nigeria and experience in technical, financial and administrative oversight.
• Experience in capacity building for health programming preferred.
• Experience in managing social and behavior change communication programs.
• At least two years' experience working on malaria programs.
• Skilled manager with ability to oversee and motivate staff for sound, effective, evidence and results based programming.
• Previous experience working with USAID funded projects. Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public, and/or donors.
• Ability to work in fast-paced dynamic environment with multiple partners.
• Flexible and independent.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in one or more local language of assigned state (Akwa Ibom or Kebbi).

Application Closing Date
1st April, 2014

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter identifying the position you are interested in and provide Curriculum Vitae to: [email protected]

Note: Subject line must include: "HC3 Malaria Nigeria Hiring/(and position applying for)" (Only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.)