Research Officer at an Indigenous Non-profit and Non-governmental Organization

We are an indigenous non-profit and non-governmental organization with Head Office in Abuja and field offices in several locations across Nigeria. We are in the business of saving lives, making life more meaningful and productive for all Nigerians and especially for people living with; and affected by HIV. It is an organization built on strong core values, we believe strongly in commitment, innovation, inspiring leadership, and partnerships.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Officer

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Project: Reach Out
Duration: Full time
Report to: Project Manager

Background

• The REACH-OUT Project is an initiative focused on improving routine vaccine delivery to zero-dose (ZD) children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
• The project addresses both supply-side and demand-side challenges in immunization, with a focus on equity, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
• The project is being implemented across three SSA countries- Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda, to develop and implement tailored strategies that enhance the reach of immunization programs to vulnerable populations.

Objectives

• The Research Officer will lead and support activities aimed at developing contextually relevant intervention bundles to improve vaccine delivery for Zero-Dose (ZD) children in Nigeria. This includes leading implementation research, collaborating with local stakeholders, facilitating participatory design processes, and developing digital tools and strategies to optimize vaccine delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the systematic literature review to identify successful immunization interventions and evaluate the potential for leveraging related innovations.
• Coordinate and facilitate workshops with local stakeholders, including community representatives, public health authorities, and experts, in Nigeria
• Support the creation of intervention prototypes, ensuring they address barriers identified and are tailored to local contexts.
• Lead the qualitative data collection process (Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions) to inform the design and optimization of intervention bundles.
• Work with local partners to develop intervention pilot plans and ensure that feedback from the participatory design process is integrated into the final intervention plan.
• Assist in the collection of geospatial data, including local population distributions, road networks, and travel barriers.
• Support the preparation of immunization micro-plans using geospatial algorithms, ensuring that catchment areas for vaccine delivery are well defined.
• Work with the team to ensure the development of a tracking and monitoring system that utilizes GPS devices and applications for overseeing vaccine delivery.
• Assist in the design and development of the digital decision-support platform, ensuring it integrates geospatial data and optimization tools to improve vaccine delivery.
• Support the creation of user-friendly tools for micro-planning, budgeting, and cost-effectiveness analysis related to vaccine delivery activities.
• Ensure the platform is developed as an open-source tool and explore integration opportunities with existing digital platforms used for immunization tracking.
• Oversee the development of sampling frames and interview protocols.
• Organize and oversee field visits to assess current vaccination strategies and inform the Participatory Design Process.
• Ensure data integrity and proper documentation of interview findings.
• Coordinate the integration of existing geospatial datasets and support the modeling of gridded surfaces for ZD children.
• Assist in generating estimates for supply-side and demand-side variables, and ensure accuracy in the use of geo-statistical models.
• Coordinate the creation of the Zero-Dose Vulnerability Index (ZDVI) through data aggregation and analysis.
• Liaise with local implementing partners (national immunization programs, health authorities, etc.) to ensure the participatory design process is inclusive and collaborative.
• Ensure that the design and implementation of interventions consider local contexts, including health system capacities, community needs, and available resources.
• Provide technical support to country teams in the co-design and piloting of interventions, ensuring that feedback is integrated and used to refine approaches.

Reporting:

• The Research Officer will report to Program Manager and work closely with other project teams.
• He/ She will supervise the Research Associate.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years post qualification experience in research design and implementation preferably around immunization
• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Immunization, or related fields (Master’s degree preferred).
• Proven experience in project management, preferably in immunization or health systems strengthening in Nigeria; experience with participatory design approaches and stakeholder facilitation.
• Implementation research experience using both qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Familiarity with geospatial data collection, mapping, and decision-support platforms.
• Proficiency in using relevant software (GIS tools, data visualization platforms)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with the COM-B framework and Root Causes Analysis (RCA) methodology.
• Experience with the implementation of vaccination campaigns or similar health interventions.
• Fluency in English required.

Application Closing Date
3rd April, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications in Microsoft Word format to: projectrecruitment255@gmail.com using the Job Title, Location and Applicant Full name (e.g. "COM01 Abuja, ADESUWA NWACHUKWU") as the subject of the mail.
And
Click here to apply online

Note

• It is important to apply via the link and the mail, as applications sent to ONLY the email address will be considered invalid.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted to advance to the next stage of the selection process
• Grant duration- Subject to availability of funds and exceptional grant performance.
• Qualified women and Locals / residents of these locations are encouraged to apply
• Applications are reviewed in the order of arrival, and we reserve the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if suitable applications are received.
• This organization does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.