Job Summary
The Project Officer – Integrated Health plays a pivotal role in facilitating the planning, execution, and evaluation of integrated health initiatives, encompassing Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Global Health Security, and Polio, in strict alignment with CRS program standards and national health regulations. Reporting to the Senior Project Officer, this role involves close collaboration with state teams, strategic partners, and local community organizations to ensure the delivery of exceptional, community-focused health services in underserved regions.
This role supports essential functions such as routine immunization, supplemental health initiatives, disease surveillance, and program reporting. Additionally, the Project Officer facilitates capacity building, provides supervision, and collaborates with partners to enhance health outcomes for vulnerable populations. The position is located in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
We are seeking an experienced professional to join our team, where you will play a pivotal role in driving our organization forward. Your key responsibilities will include overseeing critical projects, ensuring seamless collaboration across departments, and maintaining high standards of performance and accountability. You will be tasked with developing innovative strategies to enhance operational efficiency, while also identifying and mitigating potential risks to safeguard the company’s interests. Additionally, you will serve as a mentor to junior staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. This position requires a proactive approach, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to delivering measurable results in a fast-paced environment.
Coordinate and execute assigned project activities in strict alignment with the detailed implementation plan, adhering to CRS program quality standards, donor specifications, and established best practices.
Monitor project advancement, pinpoint potential obstacles or deficiencies, and communicate findings to facilitate prompt modifications to strategic plans and execution timelines. Assist partners in evaluating project experiences to enhance overall results.
Collaborate with partners to conduct project evaluations, ensuring the implementation of designated mechanisms and tools for data collection and analysis. Support the preparation of reports in alignment with the prescribed reporting schedule.
Evaluate staffing and partner organization capacity requirements, oversee the execution of technical support and capacity-building initiatives, and manage documentation to verify impactful outcomes.
Consolidate and maintain comprehensive project documentation, encompassing case studies, best practices, lessons learned, success stories, and field challenges associated with assigned activities.
Facilitate the deployment and execution of integrated health interventions, encompassing health communication and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) initiatives at community and facility levels, while ensuring alignment with project work plans.
Develop and enhance the skills of community health workers, volunteers, and facility staff through targeted training sessions and ongoing technical assistance, focusing on integrated health communication, maternal and child health, reproductive health, immunization, nutrition, and surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases.
Conduct feedback sessions, establish referral pathways, and implement follow-up mechanisms tailored for vulnerable populations to enhance service delivery and promote meaningful community engagement.
Conduct routine on-site assessments to evaluate the quality of programs, the effectiveness of service delivery, and compliance with national health guidelines, internal organizational standards, and donor-mandated criteria.
Collaborate with community-based organization (CBO) partners to create comprehensive work plans and meticulously detailed implementation strategies, leveraging SIA calendars and NEW micro plans in alignment with the Senior Project Officer’s guidance.
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this role, while familiarity with Hausa would be advantageous.
Must be prepared to undertake travel obligations, comprising up to 70% of the role, as required.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of essential knowledge areas, along with a robust set of technical and interpersonal proficiencies, enabling effective performance in the role. Demonstrates expertise in key functional domains, coupled with the ability to apply specialized skills as required. Exhibits strong analytical capabilities, adaptability to evolving challenges, and a commitment to continuous professional development.
Demonstrates strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and the full suite of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Exceptional observational abilities, keen active listening capabilities, and robust analytical skills, complemented by sound judgment, are essential for success in this role.
Effective skills in relationship management, coupled with the capacity to collaborate closely with local partners and community members, are essential for this role.
The position demands meticulous attention to detail, unwavering accuracy, and strict adherence to deadlines in fulfilling all assigned duties.
A proactive, results-driven, and customer-focused approach is required.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, along with 3–5 years of relevant experience in software development. Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is essential, and experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure is highly desirable. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset are also required. Additionally, candidates should possess experience with agile methodologies and version control systems such as Git.
Proficiency in tracking project progress and gathering pertinent data is desired.
Experience in the fields of nutrition, maternal and child health, and immunization—particularly within polio eradication initiatives—proves beneficial, as does prior involvement in nongovernmental organization (NGO) operations.
Supervisory responsibilities are not required for this position.
Key Working Relationships
The Senior Project Officer reports to the Internal Head of Programming, who oversees the Deputy Country Representative, with collaboration from the Country Program Operations and Finance Team, as well as additional internal stakeholders including the Program Manager.
The CGPP Secretariat collaborates with esteemed organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPH CDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), MOLINA Health, the State Ministry of Health (SMOG), the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the Local Government Area Primary Health Care (LGA PHC) Team, and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Community-Based Organization (CBO) Partners.
Seeking a candidate with a minimum of five years of experience in a similar role, along with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Strong proficiency in project management software and advanced Excel skills are essential. Excellent communication abilities and the capacity to work effectively under pressure are required. Responsibilities include leading cross-functional teams, developing strategic plans, and ensuring project deadlines are met while maintaining high-quality standards.
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline is required, along with at least three years of experience in a relevant field. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++. Excellent communication and teamwork abilities are also necessary to collaborate effectively in a dynamic environment. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of project management and the ability to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards.
A bachelor’s degree in a discipline pertinent to public health, nursing, nutrition, midwifery, or a closely related field is required.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field is required, with three of those years dedicated to supporting development projects, preferably within an international nongovernmental organization.
Holds experience in participatory action planning, health program development, and community engagement initiatives.
CRS staff at all levels must demonstrate proficiency in the following agency competencies to ensure effective performance and alignment with organizational goals.
Consistently demonstrates personal accountability by taking ownership of decisions and actions, ensuring a high standard of professional integrity in all responsibilities.
Demonstrates unwavering integrity by consistently embodying the values outlined in CRS’s Guiding Principles and mission, while maintaining a reputation for honesty and ethical conduct.
Demonstrates unwavering reliability by ensuring actions consistently align with stated commitments, fostering trust and credibility with stakeholders.
Collaborates effectively with colleagues across diverse cultural backgrounds and teams, fostering an inclusive and productive work environment.
Open-minded and eager to expand their knowledge, this individual actively pursues opportunities that challenge their current viewpoints and foster personal and professional growth through new experiences.
Drives strategic vision and fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability across the organization. Establishes and communicates clear goals, aligning them with agency-wide priorities to ensure cohesive progress. Empowers teams through mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities, cultivating a high-performing workforce. Demonstrates adaptability in navigating complex challenges and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring policies and practices reflect these values. Exhibits strong decision-making skills, balancing risk and opportunity to achieve optimal outcomes. Builds and maintains influential relationships with stakeholders, advocating for the agency’s mission and securing necessary resources.
Drive Transformation – Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance the agency by fostering an environment characterized by adaptability, transparency, and creative problem-solving.
Fosters professional growth and acknowledges contributions by empowering staff to maximize their potential and elevate both team and organizational effectiveness.
A strategic mindset is essential, as the role involves effectively translating, communicating, and executing agency strategy as well as team priorities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
5 years
