Manager, Program - Immunization Demand Generation (Consultant)

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalises leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 11 countries, our team of 900+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

• Our Deworm the World programme has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains. 
• Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children. 
• Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives. 

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-calibre colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

Background

Routine childhood immunisation is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing illness and death among children. Nigeria continues to carry a substantial burden of zero-dose and under-immunised children, driven by demand-side barriers including low awareness, competing household priorities, transportation costs, and distance to health facilities.

Evidence Action, in partnership with relevant government stakeholders and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), is implementing the Immunization Demand Generation (IDG) Pilot Programme to test evidence-based approaches for increasing childhood immunization uptake and completion. The pilot tests a combination of three demand-generation interventions:

1. digital reminders — phone-based SMS and/or voice reminders to caregivers ahead of scheduled vaccination visits;
2. community ambassadors — trusted, well-connected community members who share vaccination information within their social networks; and
3. targeted incentives — support intended to reduce barriers to vaccination, including transport support and, in selected areas, integration of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) with immunisation services.

The pilot is planned for implementation in Nasarawa and Oyo States from approximately October 2026 to September 2027, as part of a 15-month programme period that includes preparatory activities and approximately 11 months of implementation. The pilot will initially focus on five Local Government Areas (LGAs) per state, with final LGAs, wards, and facilities confirmed in consultation with the respective State Governments.

Programme Goals

• Increase demand for and uptake of routine childhood immunization among children in selected communities.
• Support caregivers to initiate and complete recommended childhood vaccination schedules.
• Test the feasibility and acceptability of digital reminders, community ambassadors, and targeted incentives in the pilot states.
• Identify implementation approaches that are appropriate, acceptable, and potentially scalable within the Nigerian health system.
• Strengthen collaboration between government structures, health facilities, and communities around routine immunisation.
• Generate evidence and implementation learning to inform future programme design and scale-up.

Purpose of the Role

The Program Manager will lead the overall coordination, technical direction, and delivery of the IDG pilot across both implementation states, based in the Abuja Country Office. The role holds end-to-end accountability for programme quality and progress against the pilot's goals and serves as the primary link between Evidence Action's Country Office, the two State Coordinators, government stakeholders, and other technical partners. The Program Manager will directly supervise the two State Coordinators, ensuring consistent, high-quality implementation across Nasarawa and Oyo States.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management and Technical Support

• Lead overall coordination of IDG pilot implementation in collaboration with State Governments and relevant State and LGA structures, working through the State Coordinators.
• Provide technical direction on the adaptation and implementation of the IDG intervention package across both states.
• Develop and maintain programme implementation guidance, standard operating procedures, tools, and materials required for implementation, for use by both State Coordinators.
• Support State Governments and relevant stakeholders to finalise implementation arrangements, including selection of participating LGAs, wards, and health facilities.
• Coordinate with relevant external technical partners, including J-PAL, on programme implementation, monitoring, learning, and evaluation.
• Supervise, mentor, and manage the performance of the two State Coordinators, ensuring alignment and consistency of approach across states.
• Escalate risks, implementation challenges, and resourcing needs to the Deputy Country Director in a timely manner.

Digital Reminders

• Oversee implementation of the digital reminder component across both states, including processes for collecting and processing caregiver information from participating facilities.
• Provide technical direction on the adaptation of reminder content, timing, language, and delivery modalities based on formative research and programme learning.
• Guide State Coordinators in supporting participating health facilities and LGA structures to establish processes for identifying eligible children and transmitting information for the reminder system.

Community Ambassadors

• Oversee design and implementation of the community ambassador component, including tools and processes for ambassador nomination, selection, recruitment, and engagement.
• Guide State Coordinators in engaging State, LGA, and facility structures to identify community members who can serve as vaccination information ambassadors.
• Coordinate the development of vaccine-related information and messaging for dissemination through approved ambassador channels.

Targeted Incentives

• Oversee implementation of the targeted incentive component in eligible areas, based on the final pilot design.
• Coordinate the agreed mechanism for providing transport-related support to eligible caregivers, where transport support is selected.
• Coordinate with relevant programme teams and State structures to support appropriate integration of
• SQ-LNS distribution with immunisation services, where SQ-LNS is included.

Capacity Building

• Coordinate technical and/or financial support, as agreed, for orientation and training of relevant State, LGA, and health facility personnel involved in pilot implementation.
• Support State Governments to use existing government immunisation training materials and standards where appropriate, supplementing with additional guidance as required.

Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation

• Oversee monitoring, learning, and evaluation activities associated with the pilot, including baseline routine monitoring and other agreed evaluation activities.
• Consolidate and share programme findings and implementation learning with State Governments to inform programme improvement.
• Review and use implementation data to identify challenges, monitor progress, and inform corrective actions across both states.

Government and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Evidence Action in relevant national, State-, and LGA-level coordination and review meetings.
• Maintain regular communication with designated State Government focal persons regarding programme progress, implementation issues, risks, and required actions.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for government and stakeholder relationships across both implementation states.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in public health, social sciences, development studies, or a related field; a master's degree (e.g., MPH) is an advantage.
• At least 5–7 years of experience managing public health or social/behaviour change programmes in Nigeria, ideally including immunisation, maternal and child health, or nutrition programming.
• Demonstrated experience supervising field-based staff across multiple locations.
• Experience working with government health structures (Ministries of Health, State/LGA health teams) in Nigeria.
• Experience with programme monitoring, learning, and evaluation, including use of data to inform implementation decisions.
• Experience working with or alongside research partners (e.g., on pilots, RCTs, or other evaluation designs) is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong programme management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple work streams across two states simultaneously.
• Strong people management and coaching skills, with experience building the capacity of direct reports.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-management skills, particularly with government counterparts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to escalate issues appropriately.
• Willingness to travel regularly to Nasarawa and Oyo States.

Reporting Line

The Program Manager reports to the Deputy Country Director, Evidence Action Nigeria, and directly supervises the two State Coordinators based in Nasarawa State and Oyo State.

Evidence Action is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.

Position Location

Abuja, Nigeria.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a Nigerian employment visa at this time. Applicants must be legally authorised to work in Nigeria for roles based in Nigeria.