Program Officer, Polio Outbreaks – Nigeria Focus

ABOUT THE GATES FOUNDATION

The Gates Foundation is a global non-profit organisation working to reduce poverty, disease and inequality around the world.

The Foundation partners with governments, donors, technical agencies and other organisations to improve health outcomes and provide people with opportunities to live healthy and productive lives.

TEAM BACKGROUND

The Polio Team works with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, national governments, donors and technical agencies to translate global eradication strategies into effective country-level action, particularly in complex and high-risk settings.

JOB DETAILS

Position: Program Officer, Polio Outbreaks – Nigeria Focus

Number of Openings: Two

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Polio Senior Manager

Travel Requirement: Approximately 30% to 40% domestic and international travel

Application Deadline: 7 August 2026.

JOB SUMMARY

The Gates Foundation is seeking two Program Officers to support efforts to stop Type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks in Africa, with a major focus on Nigeria.

The successful candidates will manage portfolios of grants and investments, support the implementation of outbreak-response strategies and work with partners to strengthen programme coordination, accountability and delivery.

The role will also monitor progress relating to integrated service delivery in high-risk polio areas and provide data-informed recommendations to improve programme performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the implementation of polio outbreak-response strategies, particularly for Type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in Nigeria.
• Serve as the Foundation’s polio focal point for selected high-priority states in northern Nigeria.
• Analyse state-level performance, risks, programme gaps and local operating dynamics.
• Use evidence and programme data to recommend targeted actions that improve results.
• Support improvements in the performance of State Emergency Operations Centres.
• Strengthen coordination, data use and implementation discipline within polio-response structures.
• Analyse programme performance across government institutions, grantees and implementing partners.
• Identify performance gaps, escalate critical issues and support rapid problem-solving.
• Strengthen accountability among partners, grantees and government counterparts.
• Communicate risks relating to programme underperformance and ensure that agreed actions are followed up.
• Support improvements in the quality and effectiveness of polio vaccination campaigns.
• Identify the root causes of poor campaign performance and recommend corrective measures.
• Support efforts to consistently identify and reach children missed during vaccination campaigns.
• Manage a portfolio of grants, contracts and strategic investments.
• Monitor grant performance, deliverables, timelines and alignment with programme priorities.
• Review letters of inquiry, grant proposals and other funding submissions.
• Develop clear analyses and funding recommendations based on expected impact and performance.
• Prepare high-quality programme briefs, reports and analytical summaries for leadership.
• Translate complex programme data into clear recommendations and practical actions.
• Collaborate with the Polio, Immunisation and Nigeria Country Office teams.
• Contribute to a team culture focused on results, accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree or equivalent demonstrated professional experience.
• Qualification in Public Health, International Development or a related discipline is preferred.
• Experience managing public-health, immunisation, disease-control or international-development projects.
• Field experience working in developing countries.
• Experience in polio eradication, outbreak response, vaccine delivery or health-emergency programmes is preferred.
• Familiarity with disease-control programmes and the global polio-eradication agenda.
• Experience managing grants, contracts, programme investments or implementing partners.
• Experience reviewing programme proposals and preparing funding recommendations.
• Experience using data to assess programme performance and guide decision-making.
• Experience working with government institutions, donors, technical agencies or implementing partners.
• Previous experience working with teams across different locations and cultures.
• Applicant must be legally authorised to work in Nigeria without current or future visa sponsorship.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong public-health and programme-management skills.
• Good understanding of polio eradication, immunisation and outbreak response.
• Strong data analysis, synthesis and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate programme evidence into practical recommendations.
• Strong grant and investment-management skills.
• Good stakeholder engagement and partnership-management abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to track multiple projects, grants, deliverables and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a team.
• Ability and willingness to undertake domestic and international travel of approximately 30% to 40%.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official Gates Foundation Workday recruitment portal using the application link provided above.

Applicants should complete the online application and upload their current CV and other documents requested through the recruitment portal.

Employment will be subject to the successful completion of the Foundation’s standard background-check process.

The Gates Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified candidates with disabilities during the application and interview process.

Application Deadline: 7 August 2026.