Program Operations Lead (Senior Management Team Member) at Population Services International

Population Services International Nigeria (PSIN) is the world’s leading non-profit social marketing organization. We are a diverse group of over 5,000 entrepreneurial development professionals located in over 40 countries committed to making it easier for all people to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire. PSI is using its global presence and 50+ years of experience to help reimagine healthcare. We are working to shape market systems, shift policy and funding, and strengthen global capacity to better support consumer empowered healthcare.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Operations Lead (Senior Management Team Member)

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time
Department: Programs
Reports to: Country Representative
Travel: Up to 40% within Nigeria

Description

• We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Program Operations Lead to join our dynamic team.
• The Program Operations Lead is a strategic member of PSI Nigeria’s Senior Management Team (SMT), responsible for translating PSI/N’s strategy into operational excellence and measurable health impact.
• She/he partners closely with Project Leads and cross-functional teams to drive effective management and successful implementation of PSI/N projects, providing strategic, operational, and technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.
• The role provides senior oversight in the development of annual business plans and ensures delivery against country program strategies and performance targets.
• The Program Operations Lead oversees and optimizes day-to-day organizational operations, ensuring high-quality program execution across the portfolio while embedding PSI’s global competencies, leadership expectations, and performance standards into routine practice.

Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the following:
Strategic Leadership & SMT Contribution:

• Serve as a senior member of the SMT, shaping PSI/N’s strategic direction, organizational growth, and performance culture.
• Translate country strategy into annual operational plans with clear objectives, deliverables, KPIs, and budget alignment.
• Lead annual business planning and support proposal development to secure new funding opportunities.
• Champion a culture of accountability, innovation, impact measurement, and continuous improvement.
• Lead enterprise-wide risk management, proactively identifying operational, financial, and compliance risks.

Program Implementation & Delivery Excellence:

• Provide strategic oversight for end-to-end program implementation across PSI/N’s health portfolio (e.g., RMNCH, malaria, immunization, digital health, sanitation, and adolescent programming).
• Translate approved project designs into executable, time-bound workplans with clearly defined milestones, accountability, and measurable KPIs.
• Ensure alignment between program objectives, budgets, staffing, and operational systems.
• Lead structured performance review processes to monitor progress, assess risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure ≥90% on-time delivery of project milestones and maintain budget variance within approved thresholds.
• Oversee implementation of quality assurance frameworks, supportive supervision, and adaptive management processes.
• Lead project start-up, scale-up, transition, and close-out processes in compliance with donor and organizational standards.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain continuity and performance.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to donors, leadership, and stakeholders.

Operational Systems & Performance Optimization:

• Strengthen and integrate systems across planning, workplan tracking, procurement, supply chain, field operations, and sub-award management.
• Monitor and manage budget execution, burn rates, and resource utilization to ensure cost-efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements that reduce delays, optimize efficiency, and improve service delivery outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-departmental coordination to ensure operational feasibility and seamless execution across Programs, Finance, HR, Procurement, Supply Chain, and M&E.
• Lead internal review meetings and implement continuous improvement initiatives based on performance data.

Financial Stewardship & Compliance:

• Ensure all programs operate in full compliance with donor regulations, PSI global policies, and national statutory requirements.
• Work closely with Finance and Compliance teams to strengthen budgeting, forecasting, financial tracking, and audit readiness.
• Monitor cost-efficiency, value-for-money, and financial performance across the portfolio.
• Maintain zero major audit findings and ensure corrective actions are timely and effective.

Partnerships, Advocacy & External Relations:

• Represent PSI/N in donor, government, consortium, and partner operational review meetings.
• Strengthen strategic relationships with Federal and State Ministries of Health and other development partners.
• Support the Country Representative in resource mobilization, fundraising strategy, concept note development, and proposal submissions.
• Identify and cultivate strategic alliances to expand PSI/N’s reach and impact.

People Leadership & Organizational Development:

• Lead, supervise, and mentor senior program and operations staff to build a high-performing, accountable, and motivated team.
• Embed performance management systems with clear objectives, regular feedback, and individual development plans.
• Develop leadership pipelines and ensure succession of readiness within the program function.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and positive organizational culture that promotes innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Business Administration, International Development, or related field.
• Minimum 10 – 12 years of progressive leadership experience in program operations, preferably in multi-donor health portfolios.
• At least 5 years in senior management, supervising multi-disciplinary teams, and managing complex projects.
• Demonstrated financial management, compliance, and risk oversight experience.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s health system and donor landscape (Global Fund, USAID, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, etc.).

What are we looking for?
We are looking for someone with:

• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s health system and approaches in developing country setting and donor landscape (Global Fund, Gates Foundation, GIZ, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, CIFF, Astra Zeneca, UNICEF etc.)
• Significant experience in managing donor-funded, health-related projects
• Excellent leadership skills; with the ability to motivate others to exceed expectations and to up skill other managers to reflect the same behaviors
• Conflict management, negotiation and resolution skills and experience
• Strong management skills; able to manage performance effectively and support others during times of change
• Ability to influence and communicate with stakeholders, both internal and external
• Fluent in both oral and written Englis
• Strong analytical skills – the ability to accurately interpret data both financial and statistical and take relevant actions
• Track record of delivering quality results and impact in previous roles
• Proven track record in external relations, fundraising and communication.

The candidate we hire will embody PSI’s corporate values:

• Measurement: You use hard evidence to make decisions and guide your work. You set clear goalposts in advance and explain clearly if you need to move them.
• Pragmatism: You will strive to deliver the best possible result with the resources available. You will not be paralyzed by the need to make things perfect.
• Honesty: You own your mistakes and are open about your shortcomings – it is the only way you will learn and improve.
• Collaboration: You will quickly establish a mental map of whom you can rely on for what, on your team, at headquarters, and in our country offices – if you try to do it all yourself, you will not succeed.
• Trust: You accept limits to your sphere of control and give colleagues the benefit of the doubt.
• Commitment: You are in it for the long-haul and want to grow with the organization, just like PSI serves its consumers and partners with host-country governments through thick and thin.

Application Closing Date
16th March 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their comprehensive resume with a cover letter as ONE PDF/Word document to:  jobs@psinigeria.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Applications shall be reviewed on rolling bases.
• Due to high volume of applications, only finalists will be contacted.
• PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding or disability.