- Strategic Planning Officer, PEP unit, World Health Organization, WCO Abuja, Nigeria, January 2024 – Date
Supervisor: Dr Kofi Boateng, Cluster Lead, Polio Eradication Program Unit. WCO Abuja, Nigeria
Under the overall supervision of the WHO Country Representative and guidance from the EPI Team Leader, I work closely with the government counterparts at different levels in the Ministry of Health to support EPI activities to perform the following functions:
- Support coordination, planning, and resource mobilization for SIAs operations in line with the National Polio Emergency Operations Center’s (NEOC) Polio Eradication Programme (PEP) coordinating mechanism, including providing timely information/data for evidence-based intervention and decision.
- Provide technical expertise to NEOC for timely preparation and implementation of SIAs/OBRs, including utilization of available resources and provision of data for action.
- Provide technical expertise to NEOC towards evaluation of campaigns using LQAS and EIM.
- Work with VPDs Cluster to improve population immunity through routine immunization (RI), supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), and reactive vaccination to avert and respond to vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks, particularly cVPV2 occurring in high-risk states.
- Support planning and facilitation of training and capacity-building activities of the States and WHO personnel in SIAs operations in line with NEOC and WHO guidelines/SOPs.
- Guide the states for timely preparation of States' EPI/PEI (Polio Eradication, Routine Immunization and other accelerated control of vaccine-preventable diseases) annual work plans in line with national plans.
- Ensure regular updating of State EPI/PEI plans to incorporate technical recommendations from ERC meetings, and program reviews including Rapid Surveillance Assessments (RSAs)—National EOC, etc.
- Support field supervision of EPI/PEI (surveillance, RI, IPDs, SIAs) activities.
- Support training and capacity building of State, LGA staff, and WHO personnel through updating the training packages from time to time.
- Implement administrative, financial, security, and office operations responsibilities in line with laid-down WHO rules and regulations.
- Provide technical expertise to report preparations at NEOC and PEP cluster levels respectively.
- Perform other activities as required by WHO Representative
- Public Health Officer, World Health Organization, WCO Abuja and Benue State Field Office, Nigeria, January 2022 – December 2023
Supervisor: Dr Abdulkarim Mohammed, State Coordinator, WHO, Benue State Field Office.
Under the technical guidance of the Polio IM, the sub-pillar leads, and the State Coordinator's direct supervision, I supported Benue and other States in Immunization and PHC (Routine Immunization, SIAs, and Surveillance of VPDs). Coordination of Benue state WHO Technical Team as well as undertaking Cross-cutting tasks.
Duties and accomplishments
- Carried out active surveillance in the assigned LGAs in the assigned state.
- Undertook passive surveillance in other LGAs of the assigned state.
- Collected surveillance data from the assigned state from, or in collaboration with, the LGA DSNO or representative of the LGA health department and ensured that the data collected is passed to the MoH by the LGA DSNO and it is received by the State DSNO or Epidemiologist.
- Supported developing a work plan and enhancement plan including evaluation and monitoring.
- Responsible for monitoring the conduct of case verification, 60-day follow-up, and zero-dose investigation.
- Supported facilitation of monthly and quarterly surveillance review meetings.
- Responsible for prompting verifiers to counter-sign CIF in case of discrepancies.
- Supported monitoring ACS in the state.
- Supported analysis and feedback of Polio surveillance activities.
- Supported monitoring of the quality of Polio surveillance.
- Supported polio surveillance funds utilization and retirement.
- Supported the implementation of the use of revised surveillance indicators
- Support to the states in timely preparation of State Immunization/PEI (Polio Eradication, Routine Immunization, and other accelerated control of vaccine-preventable diseases) annual work plans in line with national plans.
- Supported the timely (a) collection of all PEI/Immunization data (RI data, SIA dashboard data, Abuja commitments data, surveillance data, PEI accountability framework data etc), (b) use of EPI/PEI data for action and (c) feed-forward to zonal and national level through the WHO State Coordinator.
- Closely collaborating with other partners in the state (CDC, UNICEF, Rotary...) through joint participation in meetings with State officials and other stake-holders (State team meetings, State Task Force meetings, State EOC or Operations Room meetings’...etc) as well as in partner meetings as may be required.
- SIAs Focal Point, World Health Organization Country Office (WCO), Abuja, 01/ 2019- 12/2021
Supervisor: Mr Charles Korir, Technical Officer, Head, Field Support Unit (FSU), WCO, Abuja.
Duties and accomplishments: Working as part of the Field Support Unit Team based in WHO country Office, Abuja to support the States in:
- Preparation of high-quality pre-implementation (micro-planning, training, logistics) plans
- Implementation of micro-planning with attention to ERC recommendations on microplanning.
- Implementation of key recommendations and agreed action points from the ERC, EOC and other Abuja meetings aimed at raising the quality of EPI activities.
- Implementation of high-quality training of all cadres involved in IPDs including independent monitors
- Monitoring of SIA implementation in the highest risk areas and timely institution of corrective action.
- Reviewing of SIA round, best practices, challenges, appropriate action and feed into planning for subsequent rounds
- SIAs Focal Point, World Health Organization (WHO) Borno State Field Office, Nigeria, 10/2016-12/2018, Supervisor: Dr Musa Idowu Audu, State Coordinator, WHO, Borno State Field Office.
Duties and accomplishments
- Facilitated the training of Immunization Plus Days’ personnel at all levels including the independent monitors
- Supported State Coordinator and Monitoring & Evaluation in training, deployment and monitoring of Lot Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS)
- Supported State technical team to develop Supplemental Immunization Activities schedule of activities before implementation
- Lead in the planning and implementation of Outbreak responses
- Monitored the implementation of large-scale Supplemental Immunization Activities in collaboration with State Coordinator and State Emergency Operation Centre
- Worked with logistics to ensure availability of supplies before and during Supplemental Immunization Activities implementation
- Prepared high-quality SIA High Risk Operational Plans (HROP) and monitored implementation of these plans, including through pre-implementation SIA dashboard.
- Supervised SIA implementation, daily review meetings in highest risk areas and timely submission of daily implementation SIA dashboard.
- Ensured high quality Independent monitoring and timely use of data for appropriate action.
- Supported review of each SIA using recommended data and tools (LQAs, EIM, Tally Sheet Analysis....etc) and prepared feedback to all key stake-holders.
- National Facilitator, World Health Organization (WHO) Kebbi State Field Office, Nigeria, 01/2012-10/2016, Supervisor: Dr Isameldin Mirghani, State Coordinator, WHO, Kebbi State Field Office
Duties and accomplishments
- Prepared high-quality SIA High Risk Operational Plans (HROP) and monitor implementation of these plans, including through pre-implementation SIA dashboard.
- Supported the implementation of micro-planning with attention to all components included in the NPEEP.
- Supervised SIA implementation, daily review meetings in highest risk areas and timely submission of daily implementation SIA dashboard.
- Ensured high quality Independent monitoring and timely use of data for appropriate action.
- Supported review of each SIA round using recommended data and tools (LQAs, EIM, Tally Sheet Analysis....etc) and prepare feedback to all key stake-holders.
- Prepared AFP Surveillance work-plans for all LGAs in my cluster
- Supported active surveillance visits targeting major hospitals and priority sites.
- Implemented supportive supervision and capacity building for DSNOs, clinicians/health workers and community surveillance focal points (TBAs, traditional healers....).
- Conducted monthly review of (a) implementation of AFP surveillance work-plans (b) AFP surveillance performance in all LGAs in the cluster.
- Planned and implemented high quality investigation of any confirmed polio case
- Supported surveillance of other VPDs and priority diseases within the national IDSR Strategy
- Ensured timely updating of Reaching Every Ward (REW) micro-plans of all LGAs in the cluster.
- Conducted weekly monitoring of Routine Immunization sessions (fixed and outreach)
- Conducted supportive supervision and training of Health workers in Routine Immunization.
- Supported activities aimed at improving Routine Immunization Data Quality, including DQS.
- Monitored implementation of priority activities aimed at smooth introduction of new vaccines.
- Supported capacity building and mentorship of subordinates (LGA Facilitators, Field Volunteers) including thorough preparation of weekly work-plans and reports.
- Conducted advocacy to promote stake-holder ownership and participation in immunization activities
- Undertook activities to strengthen partnership with Government officials, Traditional Leaders, Civil Society, Religious Leaders, Women’s Groups, Professional Associations, Civil Society…etc
- Chief Pharmacist, Strategic Planning and Partnership Coordination, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria. 12/2010 – 12/ 2011, Supervisor: Dr Emmanuel Oduh, Director, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, NPHCDA Headquarters, Abuja.
Duties and accomplishments
- Facilitated the establishment and maintenance of a register of all PHC service delivery sites (fixed and mobile) at all levels of the health system
- Undertook the development and integration of all Plans (short-, medium- and long-term) into a comprehensive PHC operational plan (operational, strategic, developmental) and for the budget for the entire Agency
- Developed memos for the National Council on Health on behalf of the Agency
- Maintained the secretariat for planning meeting and Coordinated monthly departmental seminars
- Supported the development of policy papers on significant issues of national and international interest with respect to NPHCDA activities in line with organizational objectives
- Liaised with National Planning Commission and other relevant agencies on planning matters
- Worked with the NHMIS system to develop an evidence-based culture for planning and implementation of PHC Services
- Coordinated the preparation of the annual report (collation of reports from departments and zones)
- Supported the planning and implementation of annual/biannual/quarterly PHC review meetings and prepared progress reports (bi-annually and annual) on departmental activities.
- Asst Zonal Cold Chain/Logistics Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) NWZ, 06/ 2009- 11/ 2010, Supervisor: Dr Mustapha Zubairu, Zonal Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NWZ Office, Kano.
Duties and accomplishments
- Ensuring the storage, handling and distribution of Vaccines and consumables in the North West Zonal Cold Store in Kano
- Maintaining adequate inventory of equipment in the Cold store
- Monitoring of the State Cold Stores in the Zone to ensure compliance with Standard operation procedures (SOPs)
- Participating in training of State and LGA Cold Chain officers on Vaccine Management
- Working with the Zonal Logistics Working Group to ensure appropriate vaccine Management in the States and LGAs
- Providing feed forward on the Vaccine situation in the Zone to the National Strategic Cold Store in Abuja
Participating in the supplemental immunization campaigns as monitor/supervisor to HR LGAs
- State Coordinating Officer, Kogi State, European Union Partnership to Reinforce Immunization Efficiency (EU-PRIME), 01/2008 – 06/2009
Supervisor: Dr Abba Z Umar, Team Leader, European Union partnership to Reinforce Immunization Efficiency (EU-Prime), Nigeria.
Duties and accomplishments
- Coordinated all Prime activities in Kogi State
- Conducted training needs assessments on routine immunization, vaccine management and administration, Cold Chain operations, maintenance, as well as monitoring of immunization coverage, dropout and quality of service and social mobilization.
- Identification of suitable Trainers that undertook training at State, LGA and Ward levels, Planning and organizing training at all levels as well as serving as a resource person during trainings that enabled effective transfer of knowledge and skill to health workers.
- Prepared and submitted training plan, budget and ensuring early submission of training reports by Core Trainers as well as compiled, collated, cleaned and analyzed all training reports submitted to the State PRIME office.
- Liaised with the implementing Partners in kogi State to ensure an integrated and effective plan of action as well as discussing with partners at all levels through regular meetings, the objectives, operations and results expected of PRIME’s work plan
- Ensured smooth running of the State PRIME office for the good and motivation, supervision of staff and submitting monthly and quarterly reports of PRIME activities and Feedback to the Head office.
- Principal Technical Officer, National Program on Immunization Headquarters Abuja, Nigeria ‘Sept 2003-Aug 2007:
Supervisor; Dr Dere Awosika, National Coordinator, NPI
Duties and accomplishments
- Collation, analysis and interpretation of immunization results from the states within the North West Zone.
- Monitoring, supervision and support of Routine and Supplemental immunization activities in the North West zone.
- Analysis of impact of immunization activities using the IDSR reports from the states within the North West Zone.
- Providing technical information on specific antigens.
- Participation in capacity building of immunization service providers in North West Zone.
- Serving as NPI focal person for Kano state
- Participation in microplanning process for immunization activities.
- Monitoring of vaccine distribution and utilization in Kano state
- Overseeing the activities of Desk Officers within the North West Zone.
- Monitoring the incidence of outbreaks of VPDs within the North West Zone and facilitating possible responses
