State Team Lead at Pathfinder International

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Team Lead

Requisition Number: STATE002540
Location: Jigawa
Job Category: Program Services
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor

Job Purpose

• The State Team Lead provides overall leadership and direction for the implementation of the Community Access to RMNCH+N Innovations and Services (CARMNIS) project in Jigawa State.
• The role is responsible for technical oversight, administrative and financial management of the state office, coordination of project activities, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring high-quality delivery of all community and facility-level interventions.
• The State Team Lead will represent Pathfinder at state-level platforms, foster strong partnerships with government, MDAs, implementing partners, and community structures, and ensure alignment of project activities with state priorities and policies.

Key Performance Areas / Major Activities / Responsibilities / Percentage Worked
Systems, Policies, Standards and Guidelines / 20%:

• Lead state-level planning, coordination, and implementation of all CARMNIS activities based on project design, donor guidelines, and Pathfinder standards.
• Ensure all project processes comply with CBHW and RMNCH+N policies and support integration into state systems.
• Oversee development of state-specific workplans, implementation strategies, and coordination mechanisms across LGAs.
• Guide the adoption of standards for community engagement, CBHW support, referral systems, and capacity building.

Technical Leadership & Program Management / 20%

• Provide technical oversight for CBHW support, community engagement, capacity building, and quality of care activities across all implementing LGAs.
• Ensure high-quality supervision of field teams, including Capacity Building Officers, Community Engagement Officers, Mentors, and LGA-level staff.
• Lead technical reviews, data-driven decision-making, adaptive management, and knowledge sharing within the state team.
• Coordinate integrated support for PHC facilities and community structures to operationalize the Network of Care model.

Administrative, Financial & Operational Oversight / 10%:

• Oversee all administrative, financial, logistic, and operational functions of the Jigawa field office.
• Ensure compliance with Pathfinder’s financial procedures, procurement guidelines, safeguarding policies, and donor regulations.
• Manage budgets, expenditures, staff timesheets, vendor coordination, and office operations.
• Provide routine supervision to administrative and finance staff to ensure smooth functionality of the state office. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management / 10%:

• Serve as Pathfinder’s primary representative to the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, SPHCB, LGAs, MDAs, traditional institutions, influencers, implementing partners, and donors in the state.
• Strengthen collaboration with state-level platforms, technical working groups, and coordination bodies relevant to PHC, community health, and RMNCH+N.
• Lead advocacy engagements to promote ownership of the CARMNIS model, resource commitment, and policy alignment.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, civil society organizations, and health system influencers.

Coordination of Field Operations & Supervision / 20%

• Provide direct supervision to state program staff and ensure effective rollout of activities in LGAs and communities.
• Coordinate supportive supervision visits, LGA-level coaching, cluster meetings, and CBHW/PPMV engagement sessions.
• Oversee mapping, deployment, and performance monitoring of CBHWs, PPMVs, and other community providers.
• Facilitate timely implementation of activities and troubleshoot operational challenges to ensure program efficiency.

Monitoring, Learning & Reporting / 10%:

• Ensure timely collection, validation
  , and use of program data for decision-making.
• Support the M&E team to track performance indicators, referrals, service uptake, community engagement outputs, and CBHW performance.
• Document lessons learned, innovations, best practices, and success stories from LGAs.
• Lead preparation of state-level monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for Pathfinder and donor submissions.

Representation & External Relations / 10%:

• Represent Pathfinder at state-level meetings, donor engagements, coordination forums, and high-level advocacy platforms.
• Promote visibility of the CARMNIS model and Pathfinder’s contribution to community health system strengthening.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with other implementing partner initiatives to avoid duplication and encourage synergy.

Minimum Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Community Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field (master's degree preferred).
• 8–10 years of progressive experience managing public health or community systems strengthening programs.
• At least 5 years’ experience in state-level stakeholder engagement, government relations, or PHC system coordination.
• Proven experience managing field offices, teams, operations, and budgets.
• Demonstrated familiarity with community health worker programs, PHC service delivery, or RMNCH/FP programming in Nigeria. Knowledge of the Jigawa state landscape would be a bonus.

Competencies/Attributes:
Minimally Required Job-specific Competencies:

• Strong leadership and program management skills.
• Deep understanding of state health systems and community health structures.
• High-level stakeholder engagement and government relations capability.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams across multiple LGAs.
• Strong technical knowledge of RMNCH+N, community health, and referral systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Foundational knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of assigned project and program.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices.
• Software Applications: Foundational skills using MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Languages: Ability to speak and write using the local language and English language.
• Customer Service: Proven customer service skills.
• Organization, Planning and Multi-tasking: Advanced organizational and planning skills. Foundational project planning and project management skills. Proven ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and multi-task with minimal supervision.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related issues.

Other Information:

• Travel required (at least 40%)
• Uses cellular and desk phone, laptop or desktop computer. 

Application Closing Date
15th January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online