Job Summary:

As a member of the CGPP project team, you will monitor and report on all project activities in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

The Program Officer GHS/Surveillance will support the implementation of Global Health Security activities/Surveillance activities in Yobe State with a focus on disease surveillance, early warning, outbreak preparedness, and response. The role will strengthen routine and event-based surveillance systems, support data analysis and reporting, and promote coordination between health facilities, communities, and government surveillance systems in line with national and CGPP life-saving strategies. He/She will work closely with the State program team, implementing partners, community-based organizations (CBOs), and CRS leadership to ensure robust data systems and accountability mechanisms are in place.
He/she will participate in all CGPP-related events and activities, review and share weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual Program-related data, and provide support on narrative reports on CGPP's project portfolios – Polio, Global Health Security (GHS), and other VPDs Response intervention in Yobe state. 
 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned Global Health Security/Surveillance activities in Yobe State with a focus on disease surveillance, early warning, outbreak preparedness, and response following the detailed implementation plan, CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and established best practices.
• Support implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and other surveillance frameworks at State/CBO, community, and facility levels.
• Monitor project progress, collect, verify, analyze, and report surveillance data in a timely and accurate manner, identify challenges or gaps, and report findings to enable timely adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Support partners in reflecting on project experiences to improve outcomes.
• Facilitate project evaluation activities in collaboration with partners, ensure data quality, completeness, and confidentiality are in line with CRS and donor requirements. Assist in preparing reports according to the established reporting schedule.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting for all program components (Polio, RI, Diphtheria, cross-border, GHS, etc.) Support disease trend analysis and use data to inform decision-making and response actions
• 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.
• Support the CBO partners to craft program workplans and detail implementation plans using the SIA calendar, REW micro plans document, and provide detailed reviews under the guidance of the Senior Project Officer.
• Consolidate project documentation, support documentation of best practices, success stories, and challenges from the field for assigned activities and submit timely field reports, situation updates, and surveillance summaries.
• Support the development of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in collaboration with program teams.
• Assist in the detection, investigation, and reporting of suspected outbreaks and public health events. Support preparedness activities, including risk assessment, mapping, and contingency planning.
• Support rapid response activities, contact tracing, and follow-up where applicable at community and facility levels, ensuring alignment with project work plans.
• Build the capacity of health workers, community informants, and surveillance focal persons, strengthening linkages between community-based surveillance and health facilities.
• Collaborate with the CGPP Secretariat GHS/Surveillance Manager to align state-level activities with national standards. Represent CGPP in surveillance‑related engagements as delegated.
• Maintain a high visibility profile for the CGPP program in the state among the relevant stakeholders – EOC, SMoH, UNICEF, etc.
• Facilitate feedback sessions, referral pathways, and follow-up mechanisms for vulnerable populations to support effective service delivery and foster community engagement, ensure community feedback mechanisms are functional and responsive.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor program quality, service delivery, and adherence to national health protocols, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
   

Required Languages - English is required for this position. Knowledge of Hausa is considered an added advantage.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in MS Windows and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong observation, active listening, and analytical skills with sound judgment.
• Effective relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented approach.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Good knowledge of the immunization and polio eradication initiative.
• Experience with immunization programs and disease outbreak investigations.
• Use of DHIS, SORMAS, and other surveillance reporting tools 
• Program Reporting and Communication Skills; ability to compile, analyze, and present reports effectively.
• Strong understanding of IDSR, surveillance reporting tools, and outbreak response processes
   

Supervisory Responsibilities- None

 Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Program Manager, Senior Project Officer, Head of Programming, Deputy Country Representative, and Country program operations and finance team. 

External: CGPP Secretariat, WHO, UNICEF, SPHCDA, NCDC, SOLINA Health, SMOH, EOC, LGA PHC Team, CGPP CRS CBO Partners

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Information Management, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, including a minimum of 3 years’ experience in disease surveillance, public health programs, or GHS‑related projects
• Background in participatory action planning, health programming, and community engagement.
   

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.