Program Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employee engagement. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Program Assistant (PA) plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of the Nigeria Country Office. This position demands exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the capability to manage multiple priorities effectively. The PA will primarily support the Family Health Team within the Nigeria Country Office, coordinating complex calendars across different time zones, facilitating stakeholder engagements, and managing program logistics to ensure that all tasks are completed without oversight. Additionally, the PA will provide administrative and coordination support to other programmatic teams as required, thereby enabling the effective delivery of the foundation's objectives in Nigeria. This role is crucial for maintaining the operational flow and ensuring that the foundation's priorities are met in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Assistant will be responsible for providing direct administrative and coordination support to the Health Team in the Nigeria Country Office. Key duties include managing complex calendars, handling travel and visa applications, and scheduling events across various time zones. The PA will support the planning and execution of high-level meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, ensuring that all action items are followed up on promptly to prevent any bottlenecks. The role also involves drafting, editing, and preparing high-quality correspondence, reports, and briefing materials. The PA will maintain organized systems for tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects, and will build and manage relationships with government stakeholders, grantees, and partners. Handling confidential information with discretion and professionalism is essential, as is providing logistical support to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Administration, or a related field, with a strong preference for those with a medical or public health background. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in administration, program support, project coordination, or similar roles is required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven ability to multitask, manage complexities, and follow through on commitments in a fast-paced environment. Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, particularly experience engaging with senior officials, partners, and multi-sectoral teams. Excellent writing and communication skills are necessary, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear outputs. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required, along with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams and adapt to shifting priorities. Candidates should be culturally sensitive, resourceful, and capable of working independently as well as part of a team.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Administration, or a related field. A medical or public health background is strongly preferred, indicating a solid foundation in health-related issues and practices that are relevant to the foundation's mission.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in administration, program support, project coordination, or similar roles. Candidates should have experience supporting programmatic teams in health-related initiatives, demonstrating a strong client-service orientation and a problem-solving approach. The ability to manage multiple priorities and complexities in a fast-paced environment is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the role and the location in Nigeria. Additional languages relevant to the region may be considered beneficial but are not explicitly stated as requirements.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in Nigeria without visa sponsorship. The role may require domestic and international travel of up to 25%. The hiring process will include a background check, and the organization is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. Accommodations for candidates with disabilities or medical conditions are available upon request, and all applicants will be treated equally without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or prior protected activity.