Project Officer-Integrated Health

Background:

The CORE Group Partnership Project (CGPP) is an international initiative designed to provide both financial and technical support to host countries in their efforts to eradicate polio. Operating across multiple nations, CGPP collaborates through networks of global and local NGOs that are actively engaged in promoting child survival within high-risk regions. Coordination is managed by a country-level Secretariat, which works to complement the activities of other partners. All project activities are closely aligned with national polio eradication plans, five-year health strategies, and the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CGPP facilitates coordination at the national, state, and local levels, with CRS implementing targeted programs in Kaduna and Yobe states that focus on life-saving health initiatives.
The primary goal of the project is to enhance global health security and support polio eradication. This is achieved by increasing access to essential health services, strengthening outbreak response mechanisms, and promoting child and family health through community-based interventions, particularly in regions affected by conflict and those that are remote.
 

Job Summary:

The Project Officer – Integrated Health is responsible for supporting the planning, implementation, and monitoring of integrated health interventions. These interventions include Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Global Health Security, and Polio, all conducted in accordance with CRS program standards and national health guidelines. Under the supervision of the Senior Project Officer, the Project Officer collaborates with state teams, partners, and community organizations to deliver high-quality, community-centered health services in areas with significant needs.
This role contributes to routine immunization, supplemental health activities, disease surveillance, and program reporting. The Project Officer also assists with capacity building, supervision, and engagement with partners to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This position is based in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
 

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and implement assigned project activities following the detailed implementation plan, CRS program quality standards, donor requirements, and established best practices.
• Monitor project progress, 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, ensuring data collection and analysis are conducted using specified mechanisms and tools. Assist in preparing reports according to the established reporting schedule.
• 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.
• Consolidate project documentation, including case studies, best practices, lessons learned, success stories, and challenges from the field for assigned activities.
• 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.
• Build the capacity of community health workers (CHWs), volunteers, and facility staff by providing training and technical support on integrated health messaging, maternal and child health, reproductive health, immunization, nutrition, and surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).
• Facilitate feedback sessions, referral pathways, and follow-up mechanisms for vulnerable populations to support effective service delivery and foster community engagement.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor program quality, service delivery, and adherence to national health protocols, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
• 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 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

• Experience in project monitoring and relevant data collection is preferred.
• Experience in Nutrition, Maternal and Child Health, Immunization/Polio programs, and work within an NGO setting is advantageous.
   

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 a field relevant to public health, Nursing, Nutrition, Midwifery, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO including a minimum of 3 years of experience supporting development 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.