IPC Project Manager at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the government agency with the mandate to coordinate the surveillance, detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks. Over the last three years, NCDC has deployed a new tool for disease surveillance. The Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) is a system jointly developed between the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) to improve disease surveillance as well as detection and management of outbreaks and thus strengthen the public health service in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: IPC Project Manager

Location: Abuja
Department: Infection Prevention & Control
FTE: 1 FTE
Accountable to: National IPC Program Coordinator

Job Summary

• NCDC is recruiting an IPC Project Manager to join the Global Fund- COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) funded IPC project. The successful candidate will manage and drive the implementation of IPC projects in consultation with the National Coordinator of the National IPC Program.
• S(he) will oversee C19RM-supported IPC project staff and provide guidance on the conduct of C19RM IPC activities.
• S(he) will serve as the point of contact in providing information on IPC to the Global Fund and other critical stakeholders and will ensure that relevant IPC policies and guidelines are adequately disseminated to all stakeholders and implementing facilities.
• S(he) will provide technical support and guidance to state and facility IPC programs in accordance with the national and global IPC guidelines and best practices.
• Based in Abuja and embedded with the National IPC Unit at NCDC, the post requires strong data management and quantitative skills with a 30% travel expectation to the field.

Main Activities and Responsibilities
Knowledge Generation:

• Oversee the core C19RM IPC project team. Coordinate team to ensure C19RM IPC activities are delivered on time, to specifications, and within budget.
• Establish detailed workplans for the implementation of C19RM IPC activities.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation.
• Manage project resources, including oversight of project budget.
• Coordinate critical stakeholders, including but not limited to GF entities, USG partners, and implementation partners. 
• Provide technical guidance to strengthen IPC capacity and readiness at the state and health facility level.  Oversee coordination and implementation of workshops and other events to engage stakeholders and build capacity of IPC focal points. 
• Coordinate the development and dissemination of IPC guidance documents and resources in collaboration with key stakeholders. 
• Establish regular monitoring mechanisms for C19RM IPC activities, analyze results, identify priorities, and propose solutions where necessary. 
• Jointly with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers, conduct assessments to determine the needs and public health risks faced by health facilities and feed into the project design. 
• Work with the M&E Officers to analyze project data on a weekly/monthly basis and use program data to inform changes in strategies accordingly. 
• Take on other responsibilities as may be assigned by the National IPC Coordinator.

Internal Contribution:

• Undertake activities that support the IPC unit in meeting its National Objectives
• Reflect NCDC's goals in your work and behaviour
• Participate and support other NCDC's broader mission objectives.

External Contribution:

• To demonstrate good external relationship with all stakeholders
• Contribute to learned society/conference events, journals and grant reviews.

Professional Development:

• To keep up to date with the latest research/thinking in the field of IPC
• Undertake and complete all mandatory training required by NCDC as appropriate to the role and in accordance with HR policies for personal development 

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Microbiology, Public Health, Sciences, or related field from an accredited/recognized university with at least 5 years of experience implementing IPC programs in low-middle-income countries.
• IPC certification, preferably a postgraduate diploma, is highly desirable.
• At least five years of demonstrated project management experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience.
• Experience with and understanding of the Nigerian Health System.   
• Demonstrated practical diplomatic skills and the ability to work in close, supportive technical collaboration with individuals from various disciplines and backgrounds and a range of public health partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to demonstrate empathy.
• Positive and professional attitude, including working independently and in a team setting.
• High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, and prioritize.  Can work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks, and maintain attention to detail.
• Certification in Project management tools and statistical analysis package

Desirable Criteria:

• Good command of Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Person Specification:

• The post holder needs the following essential and desirable requirements. Applicants will be shortlisted solely on the extent to which they have met these requirements.

Application Closing Date
17th April, 2024.