Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Healthcare (PHC)| Apply Now

Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening & PHC | Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation is hiring a Program Officer for Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Healthcare in Abuja, Nigeria. Apply by November 28, 2026.

The Gates Foundation is hiring a Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and Primary Healthcare (PHC) to support health systems and primary healthcare reforms in Nigeria.

The full-time position is based in Abuja, Nigeria, within the foundation’s Africa team and Nigeria Country Office.

Job Details

Organization: Gates Foundation
Position: Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and PHC
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job type: Full-time
Job requisition: B021768
Application deadline: November 28, 2026
Reports to: Deputy Director – HSS and PHC, Nigeria Country Office
Travel: Up to 30% domestically and internationally

About the Role

The Program Officer will support the design and implementation of Primary Health Care reforms at federal and sub-national levels in Nigeria.

The role includes work on initiatives such as the Nigeria Integrated Health (NIH) Model and State Delivery and Intelligence Units (SDIU).

The position will also support improvements in PHC financing, service delivery, data use, accountability and health systems strengthening.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

Support PHC reforms at national and sub-national levels.
Manage portfolios of grants and contracts.
Develop partnerships to expand health impact.
Work with government stakeholders, donors and implementing partners.
Provide technical support on PHC systems strengthening and service delivery.
Support the use of digital technologies and innovation in healthcare.
Monitor results and assess returns on investments.
Identify and manage portfolio risks.
Provide technical assistance, mentoring and coaching.
Support governments to improve PHC financing and facility-level fund management.
Strengthen the use of data for PHC performance management.
Contribute to investment plans, budgets and strategy implementation.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have a degree in Public Health, Health Systems and Administration, Health Financing or another relevant field.

The vacancy requires:

At least 6 years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening, PHC or public health in African settings.
Ideally, at least 5 years working in low-income country contexts or equivalent experience.
Experience working with ministries of health, donors and implementing agencies.
Experience preparing technical reports, policy briefs and presentations.
Experience using diagnostic and decision-support tools.
Strong relationships with government officials, donors and implementing partners.
In-depth understanding of the Nigerian health system and federal and state health policy.
On-the-ground experience in northern Nigeria in particular.

Experience in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa is highly preferred.

Other Requirements

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in Nigeria without visa sponsorship.

The role requires the ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.

Strong communication, strategic thinking, partnership-building, project management and problem-solving skills are also important for the position.

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted until November 28, 2026.

Applicants should review the complete vacancy and apply through the official Gates Foundation careers platform.

Official application: Gates Foundation — Program Officer, Health Systems Strengthening and PHC

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Gates Foundation Program Officer position based?

The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria.

What is the application deadline?

The vacancy lists November 28, 2026 as the application deadline.

What does the position focus on?

The role focuses on health systems strengthening and primary healthcare reforms, particularly in Nigeria.

How much experience is required?

The vacancy asks for at least 6 years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening, primary healthcare or public health in African settings.

Is experience in Nigeria required?

The vacancy states that an in-depth understanding of the Nigerian health system and experience in northern Nigeria are important, while experience in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa is highly preferred.