State Manager (SPARK) at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) - Borno

Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) is an indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing positive transformations in health, social, and economic domains. We strive to uplift disadvantaged and underserved communities through effective program design and implementation, capacity building, research in implementation science, knowledge generation, and stakeholder engagement across various human development sectors. Our initiatives extend beyond Nigeria, as we are actively broadening our impact across several West and Central African nations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Manager (SPARK)

Location: Borno
Job Type: Contact
Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension
Project: Strengthening PHC and Reaching Unimmunized Kids in Northern Nigeria – Project SPARK

Introduction

• In partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Solina aims to strengthen planning and coordination for the PHC program in seven northern Nigerian states – Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara. This initiative is designed to drive effective data-driven PHC program planning, resourcing and performance management as well as, provide targeted support to revitalize linkages between state and LGA coordination platforms for effective program implementation.
• Our project endeavours to achieve these objectives by working collaboratively with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies/Management Boards. Together, we will identify problems across all immunization and PHC thematic areas, develop and domesticate solutions, support implementation, create tools to streamline processes and ensure sustainability in the design and execution of these solutions.

Description and Objectives

• The State Manager is a senior technical assistant on the state team and will provide direct support to the leadership of the state primary healthcare board leading stakeholder engagement at these critical levels to ensure the adoption and implementation of relevant reforms for an efficient PHC program.

Technical Responsibilities
Project strategy implementation/technical assistance:

• Support the strengthening/revitalization of the existing state coordination platforms including STF, RIWG/SERICC and other TWGs to effectively function as the execution platform for implementing high-impact interventions;
• Provide embedded advisory and technical support to the EPI and PHC program managers, including RIWG PMs, ES/DG SPHCMB and other health and PHC leaders;
• Develop/deepen excellent working relationships with senior state and health government officials within the state, and other partner organization leads;
• Advocate for the implementation of requisite reforms in program governance, coordination, linkages between state and LGA coordination units and performance management with senior state leadership to drive PHC system strengthening and immunization coverage acceleration efforts;
• Develop, plan, monitor and learn from ongoing strategies to address zero-dose burden in collaboration with the coordination and execution platforms in the state and supporting partners;
• Lead strategic thinking for the state to identify and understand issues, break down problems and identify root causes and different dimensions; use data and other information for analysis and decision-making purposes;
• Design and implement new systems and optimize existing ones to improve project outcomes;
• Lead and guide state leads and the state team to deliver on the project deliverables;
• Lead and mentor junior and senior associates and provide overall direction and advisory to the project leads to scale promising solutions;
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in problem-solving and learning sessions to share knowledge, best practices, challenges and progress on program implementation;
• Provide weekly updates on implementation activities to the project manager;
• Engage actively with relevant stakeholders to foster good relationships with the organization;
• Support any other tasks as may be required by the central project management team.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Administration, or related fields. Master’s degree preferred;
• At least 10 years of experience in healthcare management with strong knowledge of the primary healthcare landscape/sector;
• Experience with capacity building and quality improvement initiatives;
• Experience working with/as part of government systems.

Competencies required:

• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills
• Computer literacy and competency using the MS suite of programs
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Fluency in the local dialect – Hausa, is an added advantage
• Excellent report-writing skills
• Ability to perform multiple tasks, and adjust work pace and direction to emerging realities
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain positive working relationships
• Resourceful in resolving problems and initiating effective solutions

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.