Senior Program Officer - Child Survival at Nutrition International (NI)

Nutrition International (NI) formerly Micronutrient Initiative, is a Canadian based International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the health and nutrition of mothers, children and adolescents. At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference.

Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 400 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Program Officer - Child Survival

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

• The Senior Program Officer will provide technical support and other assistance to the national and state governments in Kebbi and Sokoto, and/or other stakeholders, to help them provide, on a sustainable basis, improved child survival interventions particularly vitamin A supplementation for children under-5.
• The position is responsible for planning, implementation, and monitoring of the program to ensure vitamin
• A supplementation activities are implemented every six months and high coverage is achieved and sustained in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Key Responsibilities

• Regularly updated landscape analysis is available on Vitamin A   supplementation (VAS) programs in Northern Nigeria states, in particular, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
• Develop and plan projects in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners that   respond to programming gaps and bottlenecks identified throughout the implementation of the project.
• Develop project budgets and agree on financial commitments with Country Director and ensure appropriate inputs are made and updated in NI’s NICOR system.
• Lead the management of “VAS for Boosting Child Survival in Northern Nigeria Project” in Sokoto and Kebbi states and any other child survival projects
• Manage a team of LGA level Coordinators, including overseeing the development of their workplans, engaging them in regular check-ins, and monitoring progress, performance and provide regular feedback and guidance.
• Coordination for VAS programming with key government and community stakeholders to   ensure NI funding for these interventions
• being used cost-effectively.
• Monitoring and tracking of the implementation of the planned project activities and results for GW funded VAS projects through regular online check-ins and field visits with LGA and State levels NI staff to ensure value for money.
• Prepare and share high quality periodic and annual project updates and reports as necessary.
• Participate in the design of research and evaluation activities and work closely with researchers and external evaluators to ensure research and evaluations exercises are feasible, responds to NI, stakeholders and government needs and is effectively disseminated in timely fashion.
• In collaboration with NI child Survival support team and researchers, facilitate engagement with key stakeholders including relevant State and LGA level government entities for facilitating relevant clearances and authorizations for research and evaluation activities when necessary
• Build and maintain good collaborative relations with Ministry of Health, other government agencies, UN agencies, and NGOs, as appropriate at national and state levels.
• Contribute to knowledge translation documents such as policy briefs, summary briefs, blogs, and case studies relevant to child survival.
• Participate in national and sub-national fora relevant to child survival to share lessons learnt with other stakeholders. 

Requirements
About You:

• Postgraduate level Degree, Master`s (at a minimum), from a recognized university in Nutrition or Public Health (with emphasis on nutrition).  
• Other relevant disciplines will be considered with significant relevant experience.
• Training in epidemiology, data analysis and research methodologies is desirable.
• Post graduate certificate in project management is an added advantage
• At least 10 years of experience in programs relating to child survival, health and nutrition, and/or in low- and middle- income countries or low resource settings, including at least 3 years of field experience.
• Experience with gender responsive (nutrition or public health) program design and implementation is an asset.
• Experience managing grant funded health and nutrition programs especially in northern Nigeria
• Relevant experience working with local community actors
• Good understanding of the health systems and local community structures in northwestern Nigeria is required.
• Experience and sound understanding of health systems.
• Proven experience in leading, motivating, and managing cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals
• Past experience working within the national and/or state government health system is an added advantage.
• Relevant experience working in conflict or hard to reach communities is desired.

Benefits

• A competitive market pay, health and dental benefits and pension plan, flexible work hours, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays) and support for learning and development opportunities.
• We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Application Closing Date
12th November, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online