Program Officer, Health Financing LTE at Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation

Your Role

The Nigeria Country Office (NCO) is hiring a Program Officer (PO) for Health Financing to support the Government of Nigeria in achieving sustainable financing for primary health care (PHC). The PO will lead the implementation of NCO's health financing strategy, focusing on improving health outcomes in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 3, and 5. The role involves managing a portfolio of grants and technical assistance at the federal level and in Kaduna and Kano States, specifically targeting PHC services. The PO will work closely with various federal agencies and state governments to support ongoing health financing reforms, such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and will provide leadership in designing and implementing service delivery plans. The ultimate goal is to strengthen NCO’s support for sustainable PHC financing, aligned with Nigeria's broader PHC transformation agenda. The incumbent will work closely with government, private sector, and civil society partners to catalyze these efforts.

This is a limited term employment (LTE) of 9 months.

What You’ll Do

The PO will support the Nigeria Country Team with HF-related tasks including but not limited to: gathering and analysis of HF data; Development and Review of strategic documents and reports; Engagement with key partners as designated. Partners may include grantees, state/national government officials, development partners etc.; Representation at HF-related meetings/convenings, when designated; Preparation for internal and external meetings. Key responsibilities include:

• Technical Expertise and Leadership: Provide technical, programmatic, and administrative leadership in designing, implementing, and monitoring health financing initiatives, ensuring integration with other health system components like HRH, supply chain, and service quality.
• Support for Health Sector Reforms: Lead the Foundation’s efforts in supporting health sector reforms such as Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal Investment Plan and Basic Health Care Provision Fund 2.0, including overseeing investments, developing monitoring and evaluation tools, and mitigating fiduciary risks.
• Partner Engagement: Increase NCO's engagement in Nigeria's health financing reforms and work closely with partners like R4D to enhance and implement strategies, particularly in revising benefits packages under BHCPF 2.0.
• Capacity Strengthening: Strengthen the Foundation’s support to federal MDAs, particularly in health sector budgeting, coordination, and performance reviews, ensuring effective implementation of the health SWAp.
• State-Level Support: Guide health financing reforms in Kaduna and Kano States, supporting realistic planning, budgeting, and accountable use of public funds to improve PHC outcomes.
• Partnership Management: Collaborate with donors, government, private sector, and other external partners to develop and implement innovative, health financing interventions.
• Representation and Coordination: Represent the Foundation in health financing activities, participate in key working groups, and coordinate with other NCO and Foundation staff to ensure alignment and commonality in advancing NCO’s goals.
• Technical Support and Strategy Development: Provide technical advice and support across NCO initiatives, ensuring integration of health financing into broader health system strengthening efforts.
• Collaboration with State Governments: Work closely with state officials, Foundation grantees, and partners to drive PHC program implementation and strengthen the PHC system and routine immunization programs.
• The PO will also perform other duties as assigned, ensuring the overall success and impact of NCO’s health financing strategy.

Your Experience

• Master’s degree in health economics, economics, or public health with a health financing focus. A PhD in health financing will be an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience years of relevant work experience in health financing and health economics in African settings is preferred.
• Established track record of carrying out analytical/diagnostic work and preparing high-quality technical reports, policy briefing materials, and presentations to influence health financing policy decision making and implementation at national and subnational levels.
• Deep understanding of the Nigerian health system and of federal and state health policy, with on-the-ground experience in northern Nigeria in particular.
• Demonstrated familiarity and commitment to the foundation's core values, mission, and programs and to serving our grantees and the people of Nigeria.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared/joint objectives, both internally and externally.
• Manages complexity and ambiguity effectively: Making sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems - especially in managing relations. Demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a complex, fast-paced environment both in Nigeria and in headquarter (Seattle).
• Communicates effectively: Developing and delivering communications that convey complex situations in a clear and concise manner with a broad and diverse audience.
• Demonstrable experience with effective interactions between country level and headquarter offices is critical.
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.