Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Healthcare (PHC)

ABOUT GATES FOUNDATION

The Gates Foundation works globally to address poverty, disease and inequality and to help people live healthier and more productive lives.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Officer will support the design, development and implementation of Primary Health Care reforms in Nigeria at federal and sub-national levels.

The role will support both foundational reforms and innovation priorities, including health financing, service delivery, PHC functionality, data use, accountability and government capacity.

The position reports to the Deputy Director – Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Health Care in the Nigeria Country Office.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support design and implementation of national and sub-national PHC reforms.

• Support Nigeria Integrated Health Model and State Delivery and Intelligence Unit priorities.

• Support reforms that improve the way public resources are spent on PHC.

• Promote approaches that channel funding closer to health facilities and local service-delivery levels.

• Support increased facility autonomy and effective management of supplies and human resources.

• Strengthen PHC functionality and use of data for decision-making.

• Develop and manage portfolios of grants and contracts.

• Monitor investments and programme outcomes.

• Develop partnerships that improve health outcomes at country level.

• Build strong working relationships with government stakeholders.

• Support Ministries of Health and related institutions.

• Facilitate annual investment planning and budgeting.

• Identify programme and portfolio risks.

• Develop mitigation and contingency measures.

• Manage grantee and partner relationships.

• Conduct partner engagements and site visits.

• Provide technical support on PHC service-delivery innovation.

• Support use of digital technology to improve health outcomes.

• Measure programme results and return on investment.

• Support implementation of health-system reforms that improve efficiency and service delivery.

• Provide technical assistance, mentoring and coaching.

• Strengthen sub-national capacity to analyse and use PHC performance data.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Public Health, Health Systems and Administration, Health Financing or other relevant field.

• Minimum six years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening, PHC or public health in African settings.

• Preferably at least five years’ experience working in a low-income-country context.

• Experience working with Ministries of Health, donors and implementing agencies.

• Experience shaping PHC reforms, health-system strategies or innovation agendas.

• Strong analytical and diagnostic experience.

• Ability to produce high-quality technical reports and policy briefs.

• Experience using evidence to influence national and sub-national health policy.

• Experience working with government officials and implementing partners.

• Strong knowledge of Nigeria’s health system.

• Understanding of federal and state health policy.

• Experience in northern Nigeria is particularly relevant.

• Experience developing public-private partnerships is desirable.

• Strong programme and project-management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to approximately 30%.

• Applicant must be legally eligible to work in Nigeria without visa sponsorship.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply through the official Gates Foundation Workday recruitment portal.

Job Requisition ID: B021768

Deadline: 28 November 2026.