CHAI currently supports the SPHCBs in Kano and Kaduna to leverage the learnings and best practices from the MSPMT and SDPMT to develop an optimal PHC System Performance Management Framework with the aim of improving the readiness of PHC facilities to deliver high quality Basic Minimum Package of Essential Health Services. The optimized framework consists of four essential components:

1. Performance Standards: Establishing standards, targets, and goals based on guidelines, benchmarks, or expectations to improve public health practices.
2. Performance Measurement: Creating and applying metrics to evaluate progress toward the set standards.
3. Reporting Progress: Documenting and communicating the results through appropriate feedback mechanisms
4. Quality Improvement (QI): Implementing processes to manage change and enhance policies, programs, and infrastructure based on performance data

This investment seeks to rapidly scale the optimized Performance management framework to cover all the Apex PHC facilities in each state, augment the use of data-driven decision-making at all levels of the healthcare system, driving systemic changes crucial for enhancing the operations, production, and delivery of essential primary healthcare (PHC) services. This will directly contribute to improved access and quality of health services available at the PHC level. This investment is designed to align with and complement the government’s renewed commitment to enhancing PHC as a cornerstone for achieving UHC in Nigeria, as outlined in the BHCPF 2.0 under the current administration. By laying down a robust groundwork for transforming the PHC system, CHAI aims to create a sustainable model that not only improves health outcomes but also supports a resilient health infrastructure capable of meeting the current and future health needs of Nigeria’s population. This investment will not only lead to substantial improvements in healthcare service delivery but also serve as a replicable model for other states, thus amplifying the impact across the entire country.

Position Overview

CHAI is seeking a Program Associate with relevant experience in primary health care delivery and performance optimization to support CHAI Nigeria’s expanding primary health care performance management work in Kaduna and Kano and coordinate a dynamic team with diverse backgrounds.

This is a challenging, fast-paced and rewarding position. The Program Associate will report to CHAI’s Senior Program Manager PHC Financing and contribute to building out new areas of work for CHAI in response to government requests. He or she will work with key government stakeholders to develop plans and proposals, engage donors, and mobilize resources, operationalize plans and conduct monitoring and evaluation. He or she will be responsible for documenting and sharing learnings with other CHAI Nigeria teams, CHAI’s global health financing and health workforce teams, as well as in-country partners.

• Provide technical support to the Kano and Kaduna PHC financing teams to design and implement advanced data systems for collecting, analysing, visualizing, and reporting performance data to facilitate informed decision-making and continuous quality improvement.
• Work with the CHAI Performance Management teams in Kano and Kaduna to design interventions to enhance capability, opportunity, & motivation of HCWs, LGA & State Staff to use performance information to drive service delivery improvement.
• Lead the design of rigorous evaluations to measure impact of the performance management on service uptake and quality in the PHCs across Kano and Kaduna States.
• Oversee program implementation in line with grant documents and ensure alignment with Government priorities and accountability to program funders.
• Collaboratively design theories of change and results frameworks and execute program monitoring of work and process evaluation.
• Represent and communicate CHAI’s work both within CHAI and to external partners, funders, and government stakeholders.
• Coordinate the dissemination of CHAI’s learnings from implementation and lead the development of dissemination materials and toolkits using appropriate channels. This includes leading the development of abstracts for submission to conferences, and posters or presentations if invited to present, as well as manuscripts for submission to academic journals. Support uptake of tools and approaches across other CHAI country offices. Engage and build relationships with partners working in similar areas.
• Conducts regular field visits to program states to monitor data quality and provide technical support to the program staff and M&E consultants.
• Support proposal development efforts by identifying gaps and funding opportunities, developing new concepts to secure funding to expand CHAI’s work in this area, and participating in proposal writing, budgeting, review, and submission process.
• Working with the Senior Program Manager, Program Director and Country Director, participate in donor engagement activities and actively map funding opportunities through donor landscaping and relationship building with donors and partners.
• Stay abreast of the evolving primary healthcare strengthening and health financing landscape, in Nigeria, monitoring key trends in the field.
• Support technical health financing learning within the CHAI Nigeria teams by sharing webinars, online courses, and journal articles, and requesting training sessions from the health financing global team and information sharing sessions from other country teams.
• Building capacity of other program staff on cross-cutting hard and soft skills including written and oral communications, work planning and time management, stakeholder management, and problem-solving, by providing written and verbal feedback, mentorship, and providing opportunities to practice.

Any other responsibilities as directed by the Senior Program Manager, Program Director and Country Director

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine, Pharmacy, Economics, Business Management, or related discipline
• A minimum of 5–6 years of professional experience in an analytical/project management position (an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Economics, or Business Administration will be an advantage) including experience in the health sector in low- and middle-income countries
• Strong understanding of M&E principles, methodologies, and public health tools
• Proficiency in data management, analysis, and visualization using statistical software (Excel, Power BI, SPSS, STATA, R)
• Exceptional analytical (qualitative and quantitative), presentation, and communication (written and verbal) skills
• Proven project management abilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure
• Entrepreneurial mindset, including working independently, self-motivating, and proposing and implementing new initiatives
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity, and problem-solve in a fast-paced, limited structure, multicultural environment
• Ability to be effective in high-pressure situations, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and set priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build relationships in a multicultural environment
• English language fluency.a