States Project Officers at Africare Nigeria

States Project Officers at Africare Nigeria
Africare, a US-based NGO established in 1970, has been working in Nigeria since 1978 and is currently operating more than 150 community-based development projects in 25 African countries. Africare has long standing experience in the design and delivery of technical, training, material and financial assistance to self-help efforts in the fields of health/HIV-AIDS, food security, natural resource management, water resource development, micro-enterprise, civil society strengthening and good governance. Health programs are important to Africare's work in virtually all countries where it operates and constitute about one-quarter of Africare’s overall development assistance effort. In Nigeria, Africare has its main office in Abuja and field offices in Port Harcourt and Asaba and Uyo and Benin, with smaller satellite offices in Bayelsa and Cross Rivers State.

Funded by the Chevron, the Malaria Control and Health Promotion in Flood Affected Populations (MCHP-FAP) Project has a goal of reducing the prevalence and mortality related to malaria in following communities; Idah, in Kogi State, Agenebode in Edo State and Koko and Ogbe-Ijaw in Delta States. The specific targets relate to use of LLITNs, ACTs, and RDT in line with the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) targets from the NMCP National Strategic (2009-2013).

Africare Nigeria is looking to hire candidates to fill positions in Delta and Edo as two new projects commence: The Youth Life Skills Development Project will engage secondary school students in a program that leverages sports to teach literacy, health and social development skills. The program is a one year pilot with expectation for further funding.

Job Title: States Project Officers Needed for Malaria Control and Health Promotion in Flood Affected Populations Project (MCHP-FAP) – Benin, Edo State

Location: Delta and Edo 

Job Description:
The MCHP-FAP Project Officer will coordinate the distribution of malaria control commodities to health facilities in the selected communities and work closely with primary health care facilities and community-based stakeholder groups to build greater awareness and adherence to prevention, control, and treatment approaches. Stakeholder groups include community leaders, churches, NGO/CBOs, schools, government agencies, public and private health facilities, and vendors. The Project Officer must have a broad understanding of malaria prevention and control, and must be able to effectively communicate with members of the communities served, as well as respected officials and leaders. S/He must also be able to develop effective written and visual communications materials and facilitate malaria-health discussions within group and one-on-one settings.

Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Director, the State Project Officer will carry out the following responsibilities:
• Coordinate the supply chain management of health commodities including ACTs, LLINs, and RDTs.
• Coordinate with the Senior M & Officer to plan and conduct baseline assessment and produce baseline report
• Deliver health commodities & IEC materials to selected facilities/health providers participating in the project in line with health facilities commodities forecasting
• Contribute to work plans, budgets, pipelines, technical reports, and deliverables
• Maintain excellent records of products deliveries/replenishment.
• Organize and conduct health outreach programmes in selected communities
• Foster individual and community mobilization through both proven and innovative implementation of key campaign messages, including proper and consistent LLIN use and maintenance; comprehension and use of ACTs; and increased use of ANC services.
• Develop and disseminate IEC messages to improve mothers' awareness of the risk of malaria during pregnancy and promote the use of IPTp during various phases of pregnancy.
• Monitor level of stock at facilities and ensure that no stock out of health commodities occurs in participating health facilities throughout the duration of the project
• Ensure that participating facilities/health providers maintain and utilize all the necessary MIS & data collection tools as at when due
• Monitor distribution at facilities to ensure appropriate target group are being reached
• Participate at stakeholder’s periodic visits and meetings to review activities/progress against program objectives.
• Participate in end project Evaluation and document finding and report
• Any other duties as may be assigned to ensure successful implementation of project. F

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Social Sciences, Mass Communications, Management, Marketing, Humanities or equivalent
• At least 2 years’ experience in developing, implementing and reporting for community programs focused on health, including malaria and other services to women and children
• Strong familiarity with communities and community health systems in Akwa Ibom,
• Demonstrated ability to work with the public sector, community groups, government agencies and civil society groups
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills with proficiency (reading, writing, speaking and comprehension) in English
• Demonstrated leadership and team management qualities including crises and conflict management and mediation
• Proficiency in computer application; word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation packages and internet applications highly desirable
• Ability to carry out independent work with initiative, creativity and good judgment without close supervision
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, consultants and project beneficiaries

Application Closing Date
11th September, 2013

How to Apply:
Applications should include a CV and cover letter. In the cover letter (no more than two pages in length), the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience.

Please send CVs to: nigeria.vacancies@africare.org and include the title to the position for which you are applying in the subject line.