State Programme Officer at Lafiya Nigeria

At Lafiya, we’re on a mission to make contraception accessible to anyone who needs it and wants it – no matter where they live. Through our network of dedicated female health professionals – our Lafiya Sisters – we provide information and deliver contraception directly to communities that need it most. Our approach is cost-effective, community-based, and deeply rooted in respect and agency. We operate in hard-to-reach communities that otherwise do not have access to contraceptive products and information. We currently run our core programme across four states in northern Nigeria, managing 280 Lafiya Sisters. In addition to our direct community work, we are building our own supply chain to address widespread supply challenges in Nigeria and are partnering with government stakeholders to realise sustainable financing models for the procurement of contraception. To date, we have supported more than 200,000 women through our innovative last-mile approach.

We’re a fast-growing non-profit in the middle of a transition from start-up to scale-up. Our focus is on impact, cost-effectiveness, and ensuring our work enhances the dignity and agency of those we serve.

We are  recruiting to fill the position below:

Position Overview

The Programme Officer supports the State Programme Manager and wider state team across the planning, coordination and delivery of Lafiya’s programme. The role provides day-to-day oversight and coordination of community-based health workers (Lafiya Sisters), maintaining regular contact, coordinating their programme activities, addressing routine implementation challenges and escalating significant issues when necessary. The Programme Officer takes ownership of assigned programme activities and workstreams, including coordinating training, supportive supervision and programme improvement activities; supporting commodity management and field delivery; maintaining programme documentation; and following through on agreed actions. Working closely with MEL, Operations and other colleagues, the Programme Officer uses data and quality findings to coordinate appropriate programme responses and support continuous improvement. 

Given that Lafiya’s model is centred on female health providers, we have a strong preference for female candidates for this position.

Responsibilities 

As the Programme Officer for Sokoto, Kebbi, or Jigawa State, you will:

• Support the State Programme Manager to implement the approved state workplan, ensuring assigned activities are completed on time, to standard and within approved budgets and OKRs.
• Coordinate routine programme activities across LGAs, facilities and communities, maintain implementation tools, and follow through on agreed actions with clear documentation.
• Support the State Programme Manager’s engagement with government stakeholders, including the State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Management Agency/Board, LGA teams and other relevant stakeholders; represent Lafiya when delegated and document decisions and follow-up actions.
• Provide routine field support and supportive supervision to Lafiya Sisters, working with relevant government supervisors to identify performance gaps, resolve practical barriers and reinforce quality standards.
• Support the planning and delivery of refresher training, mentorship, quality-improvement activities and programme adaptations for Lafiya Sisters and other relevant actors.
• Work closely with MEL colleagues to promote complete, accurate and timely programme data, follow up data-quality actions, and ensure field teams understand and use the required tools correctly.
• Use programme dashboards, reports and field observations with the State Programme Manager and MEL team to identify implementation gaps, agree corrective actions and track improvement; the MEL team retains responsibility for formal data-quality assurance and reporting.
• Support contraceptive supply-chain activities within the state, including:
  • Verifying quantities issued and received through complete proof-of-delivery documentation at every handover point
  • Tracking stock levels, distribution records and consumption patterns across the Central Medical Store, linkage facilities and Lafiya Sisters
  • Supporting routine stock reconciliation and promptly escalating discrepancies, suspected diversion, stock-outs or other control failures through the appropriate Lafiya channels
  • Maintain complete programme records, including activity documentation, attendance, approvals, distribution records, safeguarding records and evidence required for internal review, donor reporting or government accountability.
  • Monitor operational, safeguarding, data-protection and compliance risks; take appropriate immediate action within your authority and escalate material issues promptly to the State Programme Manager.
  • Prepare concise implementation updates and contribute timely, accurate information to state plans, reviews and reports led by the State Programme Manager and relevant functional teams.
  •  Work flexibly and spend significant time in the field, including at the Central Medical Store, linkage facilities, government meetings and community activities, with travel within the state where required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, management, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in programme management, public health, or development in Nigeria.

Skills & Personal Qualities

• Experience working constructively with government stakeholders, health facilities and community-level actors, with an understanding of appropriate representation and escalation.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating field activities, following through implementation plans and providing supportive supervision or performance support.
•  Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, respect functional responsibilities and contribute without duplicating the roles of the State Programme Manager, MEL team or other colleagues.
• Ability to interpret routine programme data, identify practical implications and use spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) to track activities and actions.
• Experience using digital data-collection tools such as SurveyCTO is desirable.
• Experience with logistics, stock records, distribution documentation or supply-chain processes, including reconciliation and proof-of-delivery controls.
• Excellent organisation, documentation and time-management skills, with the judgement to prioritise, solve routine problems and escalate material issues promptly.
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in at least one local language spoken in the state for which you are applying.
• High standards of integrity and a strong commitment to safeguarding, commodity accountability, data protection and compliance.

Why should you apply

This is a hands-on delivery role within an established state programme. You will help turn plans, programme evidence and government commitments into reliable implementation across communities we serve. Working alongside an experienced State Programme Manager, Operations, MEL colleagues and other team members, you will strengthen the routines that sustain quality at scale: field follow-up, supportive supervision, commodity accountability, documentation and timely resolution of implementation gaps.

You will be joining a young, ambitious and supportive organisation that is growing quickly. The role offers meaningful ownership of assigned work while giving you access to an established team, tested systems and opportunities to develop across programme delivery, government engagement and operational problem-solving. You will be expected to take initiative, communicate clearly and know when to act, collaborate or escalate.

Benefits include:

• 40 days of combined holiday and paid annual leave 
• Fully paid maternity leave 
• Flexibility in where, when and how you work 
• Working closely with a team of senior leaders who are collaborative, ambitious and serious about impact.
• HMO insurance cover, travel reimbursements, possibility of a co-working space.

What is the recruitment process for this role?

We value your time and aim to make our recruitment process as insightful as possible. It includes: 

• • Stage 1: Application Form. Share your CV and enter your profile information. 
  • Stage 2: Test Task. Engage in a 1-3 hour task that mirrors the kind of work you’ll do with us.
  • Stage 3: Interview. This is the final stage, after which we’ll make offers. All candidates will be asked the same questions in a 1-hour interview, and you’ll get the questions in advance. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask us questions.

• Salary :₦1,000,000 – ₦1,150,000 gross per month, plus benefits

Application Deadline :20 September 2026

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to Apply.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY