Program Manager, Group Ante-Natal Care (G-ANC) Project at Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)

Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) is a leading Non-Governmental and Not-for-Profit Organization established in 1989 by two eminent and reputable Nigerians who are the most prominent advocates of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and Family Planning (FP) programming in Nigeria. ARFH, a Nigerian fully indigenous, Non- Governmental, and Not-for-Profit organization had implemented projects across the 36+1 states of Nigeria on cross-cutting programs including Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health plus Nutrition Investment Case (RMNCAH+N), Family Planning (FP), Global fund grants on HIV, TB and Malaria as Prime & Sub recipient, USAID grants on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) among others.

ARFH since its inception consistently contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of rural poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. ARFH has been at the forefront of Health & community system strengthening, Human resources for health development in Nigeria, supporting the Government of Nigeria to advocate and domesticate health policies into implementation e.g. its task-shifting and task sharing policy through capacity building for all cadres of health care providers including Physicians, Nurse midwives, and CHEWs.

ARFH has its headquarters in Ibadan and operational offices in Abuja, Lagos, and collaborates with the State Ministry of Health across the 36 states plus FCT. Our mission is to initiate, promote and implement in partnership with other organizations, developmental, HIV & AIDS, TB, SRH, and family planning programs and interventions for young people and adults through capacity building, technical assistance, operations research, and evaluation to improve the quality of life in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Manager, Group Ante-Natal Care (G-ANC) Project

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• The Program Manager will be responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring and accountability of the Lagos State Group Antenatal Care Deployment with support from the TA Connect/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Project.
• She/He will work in collaboration with the key State stakeholders, multiple local and international actors and implementing partners to improve access to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) services and support state-wide institutionalization of the G-ANC model.

She/He will be responsible for:

• Technical skills in Obstetrics care and Managing the G-ANC program
• Leading ARFH’s technical team for efficient planning, financing, delivering and monitoring of high-quality services to the Lagos State government.
• Designing and implementing operational plans and leading programmatic activities.
• She/he will provide technical leadership on all aspects of improving the quality of RMNCH services by supporting the government’s strategic goal of increasing G-ANC coverage in the targeted LGAs in Lagos state and generating an evidence-base to support other Nigerian states to adopt G-ANC.
• Develop strategies for Local resource mobilization, including BHCPF,
• Prepare quarterly, semi-annual and annual quantitative and narrative reports, including relevant information on lessons learnt, challenges encountered, and opportunities identified for improvement.
• Responsible for coordinating amongst the different health actors to guarantee the feasibility of the project and country program.
• Possess a strong understanding of Health system operations in Lagos state health system to engender smooth operations working with stakeholders
• Participate in other RMNCAH activities of SMOH, Lagos state
• Conduct monthly review meetings and monthly TA Connect check-ins.

Specific Responsibilities
Strategic Planning:

• Oversees the program budget and development of annual work plans, semi-annual reports, and other reports as needed to ensure all project deliverables are of high quality and produced in a timely manner and within the approved budget.
• Provides leadership in developing, implementing, and assessing an integrated package of interventions to increase coverage and utilization of high-quality RMNCH interventions at the household, community, and health facility levels in collaboration with key national and state stakeholders
• Operationalize and implement the Lagos State Group Antenatal Care Deployment program components
• Support the development, strengthening and implementation of state and LGA RMNCH strategic and annual plans
• Facilitate linkages and foster collaboration and coordination with key stakeholders including relevant national, state, and local government authorities, partners and civil society organizations involved in RMNCH, and communities
• Provide input and participate in the project strategy design and implementation plan for the health facility and community services components.

Technical leadership:

• Directly supervise the work of project staff and ensure efficient and effective contribution to project goals.
• Oversee extensive technical and programmatic activities in Lagos state to ensure high quality, evidence‐based approaches, and effective implementation to increase access to, use, and quality of services at the facility and community levels for the implementation of the RMNCH and G-ANC Model.
• Contribute to the development of evidence‐based training materials and standards, supportive supervision materials and approaches, job aids, and other systems and tools for diverse stakeholders in line with approved national guidelines.
• Conduct regular field visits in collaboration with key national, state, and LGA MOH stakeholders and facilitate follow-up on recommendations
• Ensure comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the program
• Providing leadership for publications writing and best practice documentation strategies.

Implementation:

• Directly supervise the work of senior project staff and consultants and ensure efficient and effective contribution to program activities in line with the grant agreement
• Support the development of a Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and procurement plan and other project management tools.
• Coordinate the implementation of the G-ANC program and determine the operational needs of the program within the scope of the project
• Provide ongoing management, supportive supervision and mentorship to team members working on the project
• Organize and facilitate training and capacity building of health personnel and other project implementation stakeholders as necessary.
• Produce and ensure timely submission of monthly program activity and M&E reports when required.

Administrative and Financial Management:

• Provide guidance to the finance and admin officers in the management of administrative and financial tasks pertinent to the project.
• Ensure that all programme administration and financial management in the state is in line with ARFH’s and donor´s regulations and requirements.

Representation & Communication:

• Participate in and represent ARFH at the Ministry of Health and other Coordination platforms with all other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and linkages with sub-recipient organizations, host government health departments, health facilities and community-based organizations for effective implementation of health programs at the country level.
• Create awareness and promote ARFH’s principles throughout program/ project implementation.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Degree in Medical Field - MBBS, B.Sc, Nursing or related medical disciplines.
• O& G and, MPH / experienced Midwife with work experience in Lagos will be an added advantage.

Required Experience:

• 5 - 7 years of demonstrated knowledge and experience in coordinating projects and managing a wide range of stakeholders.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the social welfare context and health system in Nigeria, and preferably in Lagos state
• Successful experience in implementing RMNCH projects and familiarity with USAID/BMGF programs preferred.
• Familiarity with the Nigerian Health system including government planning and budgeting processes at Federal and state levels
• Strong skills in negotiating with and engaging Ministry of Health officials at all levels of the health system.
• Demonstrated computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook and advanced skills in the use of analytical tools
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of RMNCH Indicators
• Contribute to the use of information management tools such as dashboards to support decision-makers at the local government and state levels to make better use of data.
• Experience working with private sector actors involved in health services delivery
• Fluency in English.

Competencies:

• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Proven capabilities in leadership
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills
• Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret, technical and non-technical material in the English language
• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government leaders and other related regional players.

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
And
Send their comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter in only one attachment (MS Word document) explaining suitability for the job to: programs@arfh-ng.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Applicants are advised to provide their functional emails/mobile phone numbers on the application letter as well as three professional referees including their functional e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.
• Eligible female applicants are encouraged to apply.
• ARFH has a Child Safeguarding policy in place and is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.