State Program Officer (Kano) at the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)

The International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization established to mainstream the media as a potent tool to accelerate health care information and delivery in Nigeria. ISMPH is an NGO registered with the CAC on the 3rd December, 2010. Public health issues have become major measurement of social-economic development especially on the African continent and other developing countries. The concerns about Public health, Sanitation, water shelter and the environment are critical to the development of national development objectives and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The formation of a Non-governmental Organization INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF MEDIA IN PUBLIC HEALTH is in recognition of the very important roles that the media have to play in ensuring that public health issues are treated as developmental issues.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Program Officer

Location: Kano, Nigeria.

Job Description

• We are currently seeking a qualified and passionate State Program Officer (SPO) to join our team in Lagos.
• The SPO will play a key role in advancing public health media advocacy efforts, with a strong focus on Primary Health Care (PHC) and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Nutrition (RMNCH+N) services.

Responsibilities

• Media Advocacy Strategy Development – Develop and Support the design and implement evidence-based Media advocacy strategies targeting PHC gaps (RMNCH+N).
• Analyze relevant state to identify barriers to PHC access and prioritize action areas.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Build partnerships with state, local government, NGOs, and community leaders. Organize stakeholder forums and policy dialogues to align efforts.
• Campaign Management – support campaigns using mass media, social media platforms, and community mobilization (e.g., town halls, radio and TV programs). Support the development of Media advocacy materials (policy briefs, toolkits) for diverse audiences.
• Policy Analysis & Influence – analyze state health policies (State PHC policies, RMNCH+N policies, state health insurance policies, Swap compacts). Advocate for reforms through policy briefs, media engagement, and technical support to policymakers.
• Capacity Building – Support training of CSO staff, partners, journalists and community leaders on advocacy techniques and PHC best practices.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) – Track advocacy impact using approved program indicators and media tracker (e.g., policy changes, service uptake, budget releases and cash backing).
• Reporting & Compliance – Submit detailed reports to line manager, ensuring adherence to ethical and safeguarding standards.
• Attributes: Passion for health equity, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability.
• Strategic Competencies:
• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic oversight, direction, and guidance to ensure project success and sustainability.
• Stakeholder Management: Ensure effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, partners, and community leaders.
• Project Management: Ensure you plan, organize, and manage multiple project activities, including advocacy, trainings, media/communication campaigns, social mobilization, and timely reporting.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including project staff, partners, and stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Adapt to changing project requirements, navigate complex problems, and develop creative solutions to ensure project success.

Qualifications

• A Degree in Public Health, Development Studies, Journalism, Mass Communication, Business Administration or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public health programming, Media advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with RMNCH+N or PHC-related with NGO or INGO projects is an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
15th February 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: hr@ismpg.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.