Programme Assistants at Sightsavers Nigeria - 7 Openings

Sightsavers is an international organisation that changes lives for the long term. We work in more than 30 countries to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people with visual impairments to live independently.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Assistant

Locations: Kaduna, Benue, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kogi, Kebbi and Kwara
Reports to: Programme Officer - Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Responsible for: NA
Department: Finance and Performance
Contract: 2-year Fixed Term Contract

Job Purpose

• The Programme Assistant will to be a member of the State NTDs Programme team and will report to the Sightsavers Programme Officer on NTDs in the state.
• They will support all programme implementation and monitoring of activities according to a detailed work plan guided by standard protocols for NTDs control/elimination in Nigeria
• The position will ensure that information from monitoring, evaluation and other assessments are actively used to inform and adjust project implementation.
• The Programme Assistant will work closely with the state NTD teams to ensure quality programme delivery and that all programme targets met.

Principal Accountabilities
Quality of Programme (70% of time):

• Support the Sightsavers Programme Officer (NTDs) and State NTD team to develop a detailed programme implementation plan based log frame and jointly use it to guide programme management in a cost-effective manner.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders, support the development and roll out of implementation plans to scale mass distribution of drugs to treat the four Preventive Chemotherapy NTDs (lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthes)
• Support the state NTD team to monitor and implement appropriate actions to improve efficiency and quality of project implementation.
• Work with the programme team and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.
• Support the state NTDs control team and NTD M&E officer to proactively analyse and submit NTDs control data
• Ensure submission of timely programme reports as per agreed format and timelines
• Provide data/information to the PO for periodic update and reports on programme implementation monitoring.
• Support in the implementation of morbidity management related to NTDs

Support to Management (30%):

• Support and participate in regular monitoring of on-going programme activities in close coordination with the Programme Officer
• Work with key stakeholders and undertake regular visits to LGAs and communities to oversee and ensure quality and efficiency of monitoring activities
• Ensure the application and use quality standard indicators/checklist during monitoring visits.
• Support the NTDs control teams in monitoring drugs and other NTDs control supplies inventories and balances in LGAs and communities
• Support the Programme Officer, state team in proactively identifying programme implementers’ training and other needs and provide recommendations for improving performance.
• Provide regular update for reporting on the Sightsavers programme portal
• Support the state in the verification and quality of NTDs control data from the field

Job Holder Entry Requirements - the Essential Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required

• Technical knowledge of one or more of the five leading PC- NTDs.
• Experience in managing an integrated NTD programme in Nigeria.
• A demonstrated record of accomplishment in developing and managing public health programmes.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Significant relevant working experience, ideally in an INGO setting.
• International development experience with light to moderately complex projects.

Knowledge (Education and Related Experience)

• Must have at least a First Degree (or equivalent) in Biological/Medical Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, Social Science or related disciplines.
• Computer literacy including hands on experience in statistical packages.
• Experience in database management systems for an integrated programme.
• Significant relevant working experience, ideally in an INGO setting.
• Experience with participatory methods and partnerships
• Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility
• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Ability to influence high-level government officials
• Ability to build strong working relationships to enable effective management of partnerships
• Proven ability to think strategically and translate concepts into effective action plans.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of light to moderately complex projects
• Programme management and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand and work with project budgets, forecasts and reports.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.

Core Behaviours:

• Change and Improvement
• Communicating and Influencing
• Decision Making
• Team Working
• Planning and Organising
• Delivery and Implementation

Plus, we would expect the following:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity
• High degree of integrity
• Active listener

Key Relationships
Internal:

• Key Relationships (Internal)
• Programme Manager
• Programme Officer
• Country Office Programme Team
• Country Office Finance Team
• In-country NTD Manager//Advisers

External:

• Federal and State Ministries of Health
• Other project partners/NGOs
• NTD communities in Nigeria
• NGOS in the sector and WASH
• Consultants and contractors.

Salary
Local Terms & Conditions apply

Application Closing Date
1st September, 2019.

Date Interviews
9th September, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form" and "Equal Opportunities Form" by clicking the link below and return as two separate documents to: [email protected] using the "Job title" as the subject of the email.

Click here to Download Application Form (doc)

Click here to Download Equal Opportunities Form (doc)

Click here to for more information