Program Officer

Pathfinder International is seeking qualified professionals for the position of Program Officer in Katsina, Jigawa, and Kaduna States.

The successful candidates will provide technical and operational leadership for state-level project implementation, focusing on strengthening routine immunisation and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.

The role involves collaborating with government institutions, health agencies, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders to improve vaccination coverage, strengthen domestic financing, promote accountability, and increase community demand for immunisation services.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. State Leadership and Coordination
• Lead project implementation and coordinate activities with state ministries of health, primary healthcare development agencies, ministries of finance, local government authorities, and immunisation committees.
• Strengthen collaboration with government institutions and other project stakeholders.
• 2. Evidence-Based Policy and Decision-Making
• Support the development and review of immunisation and HPV performance scorecards.
• Analyse health data, logistics information, supervision findings, financing records, and community feedback.
• Coordinate performance reviews and track agreed actions to address implementation gaps.
• 3. Political Engagement and Domestic Financing
• Provide technical evidence and support to government leaders and decision-makers.
• Monitor budget approvals, fund releases, and expenditure for routine immunisation and HPV vaccination.
• Track resources allocated to staffing, logistics, cold-chain systems, and outreach activities.
• 4. Community Engagement and Demand Generation
• Oversee community engagement, household dialogues, and school-based vaccination awareness activities.
• Support initiatives addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
• Engage Almajiri and Islamic school networks, youth vaccine champions, and other community groups.
• 5. Civil Society Partner Management
• Manage and monitor the performance of state-level civil society organization partners.
• Review deliverables, conduct spot checks, and ensure compliance with quality standards.
• Identify and address potential implementation and compliance concerns.
• 6. HPV Vaccination Integration
• Support the integration of HPV vaccination into routine health services.
• Develop and monitor implementation plans and continuity review tools.
• Address service readiness, vaccine availability, and barriers to community access.
• 7. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
• Collect and verify project data and conduct data quality assessments.
• Participate in baseline and endline assessments.
• Document lessons learned, promising practices, and programme outcomes.
• 8. Reporting and Documentation
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting inputs.
• Maintain accurate programme records.
• Report implementation progress, achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Qualifications and Experience
• Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Professional Experience:
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in public health programme management in Nigeria.
• Technical Expertise:
• Demonstrated experience in immunisation, primary healthcare, or health systems strengthening.
• Government Engagement:
• Experience working with state government institutions, health agencies, ministries of finance or budget, and relevant coordination platforms.
• Partner Management:
• Experience managing, mentoring, and monitoring local partners or subgrantees, including milestone verification and compliance.
• Data Analysis:
• Ability to analyse routine health data using DHIS2 or equivalent systems, budget documents, and programme performance information.
• Communication:
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Language Requirement:
• Fluency in Hausa is required.
• A master’s degree, such as a Master of Public Health (MPH) or a master’s degree in Health Policy, is an advantage.
• Key Skills and Competencies
• Successful candidates should demonstrate:
• Strong project planning, coordination, implementation, and management skills.
• Knowledge of public health systems, immunisation, primary healthcare, and health service delivery.
• Ability to translate research findings and routine data into practical recommendations and policy briefs.
• Strong financial monitoring, budget tracking, and programme accountability skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, leadership, presentation, and communication abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently or collaboratively.
• Commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights, family planning, maternal and child health, gender equality, and the elimination of harmful traditional practices.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Working Arrangements
• Employment Type:
• Full-time
• Work Arrangement:
• Hybrid
• Travel:
• Up to 10%
• Relocation Allowance:
• Pathfinder International Nigeria does not provide relocation allowances.
• How to Apply
• Interested and qualified candidates should submit an updated resume through the official application link for their preferred state.
• Katsina State:
• Use the designated Katsina application link.
• Jigawa State:
• Use the designated Jigawa application link.
• Kaduna State:
• Use the designated Kaduna application link.
• Important:
• The application links were not included in the supplied vacancy information. Applicants should obtain the relevant links through Pathfinder International’s official recruitment channels.
• Application Deadline
• Saturday, 24 October 2026
• Applicants should ensure that their resumes clearly demonstrate relevant public health programme management experience, immunisation expertise, government engagement, partner management, data analysis, and fluency in Hausa.
• Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding
• Pathfinder International is committed to equal employment opportunities and an inclusive workplace. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Successful applicants must comply with the organization’s safeguarding and protection policies and may be subject to background and suitability checks.
• Pathfinder International does not charge application fees or request payment or personal banking information at any stage of recruitment. Applicants should verify recruitment communications through official channels and report suspicious requests.
• Note:
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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