Nigeria is grappling with a severe nutrition crisis, as highlighted by the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2024): 40% of children under five are stunted, 8% wasted, and 27% underweight. Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major concern, with more than half of women of reproductive age suffering from anaemia, while vitamin A and iron deficiencies continue to be widespread. These challenges are further compounded by persistently high maternal and child mortality. Current figures show 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (NDHS 2018), alongside 110 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births and 41 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births (NDHS 2024). Many of these deaths are linked to preventable conditions such as sepsis, intrapartum complications, and pneumonia, underscoring the urgent need for improved quality of care.
Immunization coverage also remains below target, with large numbers of children missing routine vaccinations due to weak health systems, limited access, and low community awareness-leaving them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
In response, the Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) project, supported by the United States and implemented in partnership with Jhpiego, is working across five states-Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Ebonyi, and Ondo. The initiative focuses on strengthening the capacity of health workers and community volunteers to deliver integrated services, including Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), and immunization.
By adopting a multi-sectoral, systems-based approach, this effort aims to enhance service delivery, improve health outcomes, and contribute to the national goal of reducing malnutrition and mortality among women and children.
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT
The United States’ Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) project, implemented by Jhpiego, is seeking the expertise of National Master Trainers to support the standardization and adaptation of training materials, as well as to strengthen the capacity of State Master Trainers in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), and Immunization. This initiative aims to enhance the quality-of-service delivery and improve nutritional outcomes for women, newborns, and children across Nigeria.
Objectives
The objective of this assignment is to standardize and adapt training materials and to strengthen the capacity of State Master Trainers in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), and Immunization. This effort is intended to ensure consistency in training delivery, enhance the skills and knowledge of State Master Trainers, and ultimately improve the quality of nutrition and immunization services provided to women, newborns, and children across Nigeria.
Scope
To strengthen the capacity of MCGL implementing states (Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Ondo, and Ebonyi) for the effective implementation of Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), and Immunization services.
Expected Outcome
Training materials on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), and Immunization are standardized and adopted, and the capacity of State Master Trainers is strengthened to effectively facilitate the training of health workers and community volunteers across the implementing states.
Responsibilities
- Review existing IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization training modules
- Review and adopt the training agenda for IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization in line with national guidelines
- Develop a comprehensive training plan, agenda, and curriculum integrating IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization components
- Prepare and validate training materials (presentations), job aids, and reference tools tailored to the Nigerian context
- Facilitate standardization sessions for State Master Trainers on IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization
- Strengthen the knowledge and skills of State Master Trainers on IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization
- Refresh trainers’ knowledge on adult learning and facilitation approaches
- Reinforce understanding of immunization schedules, cold chain management, and integration with nutrition services
- Enhance knowledge of nutrition-sensitive immunization practices and approaches to identify and address missed opportunities
- Provide technical support for the development of facility-level action plans to implement integrated nutrition and immunization services
- Develop/review and disseminate a monitoring and supervision checklist to ensure ongoing quality assurance
- Produce a comprehensive training report, including photographs, attendance records, pre- and post-test results, and key recommendations
- Identify and document best practices and lessons learned during the capacity-building process
- Provide technical guidance on integrating community-based volunteers into facility-level service delivery
- Recommend strategies for strengthening linkages between facility-based services, community outreach, and referral systems
- Ensure all deliverables are aligned with Nigeria’s national nutrition and immunization guidelines as well as global best practices
Required Qualifications
Education
- A minimum of Bachelor’sdegree in Nutrition, Public health, Nursing, Medicine or a related health field
- Masters or PhD is an added advantage
Certification
- Certification or formal training in IMAM, MIYCN and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)
- Additional certification on training facilitation, project management or monitoring and evaluation is an asset
Minimum experience requirement
- Over a decade of hands-on experience designing and implementing nutrition and immunization programs in both humanitarian and development contexts
- Strong track record in building the capacity of State Master Trainers with a particular focus on secondary health facilities
- Skilled in developing and facilitating trainings on IMAM, MIYCN, and Immunization in alignment with Nigeria’s national guidelines
- Extensive experience collaborating with government health systems, including effective coordination with State Stakeholders
- Well-versed in community-based health structures such as CHIPs and volunteer networks
- Adept at creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids, and training manuals tailored to local contexts
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- Certified National master trainer with extensive facilitation experience
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications for program management and reporting
Languages
- Fluency in English; proficiency in local languages (e.g., Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo) is an added advantage
How to apply
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Please apply using this link:
Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found
Only shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation for an interview
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.
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