Vacancies For Senior Program Officer, Primary Health Care at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Integrated Delivery team in the Global Development Division focuses on supporting the Government of Nigeria to increase and sustain effective and equitable coverage of essential primary health care (PHC) services and accelerate reductions in maternal and child mortality. Integrated Delivery works closely with other Foundation health teams (e.g. Family Planning; Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health etc.) to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria and with several State Governments to strengthen their primary health care systems, improve delivery of essential PHC services, and reduce financial barriers to accessing PHC services for pregnant women and children.

Foundation investment in Nigeria for systems strengthening explores a continuum or ‘arc’ of approaches – ranging from systems strengthening through a single intervention (such as polio), to a collection of interventions (like routine immunization), and also to a holistic approach across the PHC spectrum. This position will facilitate linkages, lessons learned, and opportunities between the Foundation’s various approaches to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and resilience.

Position: Senior Program Officer, Primary Health Care

Location: Abuja

Key responsibilities

The “Senior Program Officer for Primary Health Care – Nigeria” (SPO) will partner with Integrated Delivery staff based in Seattle and Abuja to engage with grantees and government to further the foundation’s programmatic work in health in Nigeria. The SPO will support Integrated Delivery to stand up a PHC system strengthening program by leading coordination of a consortium of implementing partners, government leaders, and Foundation staff.

Key responsibilities include:

* Collaborate closely with staff in Integrated Delivery to support and advance strategic health goals and cross-cutting issues.

* Support the implementation of the foundation’s strategic approach in Nigeria for key state-level health programs such as PHC system strengthening program and routine immunization strengthening program.

* Collaborate with State government officials, Foundation grantees and implementing partners, other health sector stakeholders (e.g. development partners), and the Foundation to drive implementation of the State PHC Program and to facilitate joint program efforts to strengthen the PHC system and routine immunization program, particularly at the federal level.

* Act as on-the-ground Foundation point person for the Integrated Delivery State PHC program.

* Communicate closely with Seattle-based Integrated Delivery staff to understand strategy and program development and to provide updates on programs, partnerships, and other relevant information.

* Facilitate and lead routine grantee coordination meetings for Integrated Delivery State PHC program to support information exchange and learning.

* Review and advise on work planning for PHC grantees in a given State to ensure maximum synergy, effectiveness, and complementarity towards overall BMGF PHC goals.

* Monitor progress of Integrated Delivery State PHC program, including by conducting grantee site visits, monitoring grantee progress, and advising the Foundation on strategic and program direction.

* Liaise with federal level government and other stakeholders to provide updates on the State PHC Program and to stay abreast of federal-level policies and activities that may inform state-level operations. *Represent BMGF, as requested, as State and Federal level engagements relating to primary health care system strengthening and routine immunization.

Qualifications for Candidates

* Advanced public health degree and at least 5 years in public health management.

* Demonstrated capacity to effectively coordinate organizations and consortia, and expertise in navigating and strengthening relationships among development organizations.

* Deep understanding of the Nigerian health system and of federal and state health policy, with on-the-ground experience in northern Nigeria in particular.

* Deep understanding of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof policy—preferably with implementation experience of the policy.

* Experience with the Nigerian civil service.

* Deep experience with large-scale health systems strengthening interventions – including multiple approaches to strengthening that range from intervention and sectoral-specific.

* Significant experience in strategic planning, organizational development, change facilitation and process management in the health sector.

* Experience collaborating with donor headquarters which may be in another country.

* Excellent time management and organizational skills.

* Tactful and diplomatic with strong conflict resolution and facilitation skills.

* The ability to stay calm and poised under pressure and to remain focused in an evolving and dynamic environment.

* Track record of building strong relationships with implementing partners, donors, and officials at all levels of government.

* Demonstrated commitment to the foundation’s core values, mission, and programs and to serving our grantees and the people of Nigeria.

* Excellent written and oral skills. Hausa language skills are a plus.

* Ability to travel within Nigeria up to 50% (including to the northeast) and occasionally to the U.S.

* As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve the mission of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to:

* Race

* Color

* Age

* Religion

* Pregnancy

* Sex

* Sexual Orientation

* Disability

* Gender Identity

* Gender Expression

* National Origin

* Genetic Information

* Veteran Status

* Marital Status

* Prior Protected Activity

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation career website on gatesfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com to apply