Project Officer – Integrated Health

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve the poor and vulnerable, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to improving the lives of those in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality, and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to the dignity and rights of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer – Integrated Health will play a crucial role in the CORE Group Partnership Project (CGPP) team by monitoring and reporting on project activities aimed at improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Kaduna State. This position involves supporting the planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated health interventions, which encompass Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Global Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, and Polio initiatives. The Project Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer and collaborate with state teams, partners, and community organizations to ensure the delivery of high-quality, community-centered health services. The role also includes contributing to routine immunization efforts, supplemental health activities, disease surveillance, and program reporting, while assisting in capacity building and engagement with partners to enhance health outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer will coordinate and implement assigned project activities in accordance with the detailed implementation plan, CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and established best practices. Responsibilities include monitoring project progress, identifying challenges or gaps, and reporting findings to facilitate timely adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. The officer will support partners in reflecting on project experiences to improve outcomes and facilitate project evaluation activities in collaboration with partners, ensuring data collection and analysis are conducted using specified mechanisms and tools. Additionally, the Project Officer will assess the capacity needs of staff and partner organizations, monitor the delivery of technical support and capacity-building activities, and maintain documentation to ensure effective impact. The role involves consolidating project documentation, including case studies, best practices, lessons learned, success stories, and challenges from the field for assigned activities. The officer will support the rollout and implementation of integrated health interventions, including health communication and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) activities at both community and facility levels, ensuring alignment with project work plans. Building the capacity of community health workers (CHWs), volunteers, and facility staff through training and technical support on integrated health messaging, maternal and child health, reproductive health, immunization, nutrition, and surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) is also a key responsibility. The Project Officer will facilitate feedback sessions, referral pathways, and follow-up mechanisms for vulnerable populations to support effective service delivery and foster community engagement. Regular field visits will be conducted to monitor program quality, service delivery, and adherence to national health protocols, organizational policies, and donor requirements. The officer will also support community-based organization (CBO) partners in developing workplans and detailed implementation plans, utilizing SIA calendars and REW micro plans under the guidance of the Senior Project Officer.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Midwifery, or a related discipline. Candidates should possess a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally within an international NGO, including at least 3 years of experience supporting development projects. A background in participatory action planning, health programming, and community engagement is essential. Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is required, along with strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills. Effective relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members are crucial, as is attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities. A proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented approach is also necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Midwifery, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health interventions and the necessary skills to implement them effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities in the field of health programming. This experience should ideally be within an international NGO context, with at least 3 years dedicated to supporting development projects. Familiarity with project monitoring, relevant data collection, and experience in Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Immunization/Polio programs, and community engagement are preferred.

Languages:
English is required for this position, and knowledge of Hausa is considered an added advantage. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate effective communication with local partners and community members, enhancing the overall impact of health interventions.

Additional Notes:
The position requires a willingness to travel up to 70%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, committed to improving the lives of the poor globally. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct, reflecting the agency's commitment to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs.