Country Program Director at Sydani Group

Job Description

• We are seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to serve as the Country Director for our Immunization Program in Nigeria.
• The Country Director will provide strategic leadership, management, and technical oversight to ensure the successful implementation of immunization initiatives aimed at improving vaccination coverage and reducing vaccine-preventable diseases nationwide.
• The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in program management, partnership development, and advocacy within the public health sector.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the immunization program in Nigeria, ensuring alignment with national immunization policies, guidelines, and priorities.
• Develop and implement comprehensive program strategies and action plans to achieve immunization coverage targets and reduce disparities in access to vaccines.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of program managers, technical specialists, and support staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, donors, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, coordinate activities, and maximize program impact.
• Advocate for increased political commitment and financial investment in immunization, engaging policymakers, community leaders, and civil society organizations to prioritize vaccination as a public health priority.
• Monitor program performance against key indicators, targets, and milestones, using data-driven approaches to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, contractual obligations, and reporting deadlines, overseeing the timely submission of high-quality narrative and financial reports.
• Manage program budgets, resources, and expenditures effectively, optimizing resource allocation to achieve program objectives while maintaining financial stewardship and accountability.
• Foster a culture of learning and innovation within the program team, promoting continuous professional development, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
• Represent the organization in national and international forums, conferences, and technical working groups related to immunization and public health.
• Collaborate with monitoring and evaluation specialists to design and implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, capturing program results, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures, including procurement, human resources, security, and risk management protocols.

Required Qualifications And Competencies

• Master's degree or higher in Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in managing complex public health programs, with a focus on immunization or vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Demonstrated expertise in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with a track record of achieving measurable results and impact.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria's health system, immunization landscape, and political, social, and cultural context.
• Proven ability to build and sustain partnerships with government counterparts, donors, NGOs, and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration and consensus-building.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to influence decision-makers and mobilize support for immunization initiatives.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on innovation, adaptation, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing large budgets, contracts, and grants from diverse funding sources, including bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Fluency in English, with proficiency in additional languages spoken in Nigeria considered an asset
• Commitment to organizational values, including equity, diversity, and inclusion, and adherence to ethical principles and professional standards

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, International Development, or a related field
• Experience working on immunization or other public health programs funded by international donors, such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, US-CDC or USAID
• Track record of securing and managing research grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to support immunization research, innovation, and capacity building
• Strong network and credibility within the global health community, including participation in professional associations, conferences, and advisory groups