FEXTE (Fund for technical expertise and exchange of experiences)

In response to the significant public health challenges, the Nigerian government launched an ambitious health sector reform in late 2023, centred around a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp). This reform aims to strengthen primary healthcare—particularly maternal and child health—expand universal health coverage, and redesign the financing of primary care through mechanisms such as the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). Major international partners, including the World Bank and the Gates Foundation, are supporting this effort.

As part of this dynamic, Nigeria has expressed interest in diversifying its technical partnerships. France has been identified as a complementary partner, especially in under-addressed strategic areas such as health workforce development, pharmaceutical systems, universal health coverage, and maternal and child health.

The overall objective of FEXTE is to contribute to improving equitable access to quality, affordable, and population-responsive healthcare by supporting the reform of the Nigerian health system. The project will be implemented in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NHIA, and NAFDAC, under the guidance of the French Embassy and AFD Nigeria.

More specifically, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of Nigerian institutions to effectively lead, finance, and regulate their health system through four priority levers:

1. Strengthening human resources for health (HRH), with a particular focus on the training of midwives;
2. Structuring a sustainable, equitable, and financially viable universal health coverage (UHC) system;
3. Developing a national health technology assessment (HTA) framework to inform reimbursement decisions, pricing, and pharmaceutical regulation in support of UHC;
4. Enhancing healthcare service planning, especially for maternal and child health, based on a geographic and functional assessment of existing capacities, while initiating strategic reflection on hospital infrastructure needs.

Its ultimate objective is to contribute to equitable access to quality, affordable, and context-appropriate healthcare, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.

This project will be led by the EF’s Health Department, working together with the human capital and social development department on the second priority lever.

Job description

The Team Leader, based at the EF office in Abuja, will report hierarchically to the Deputy Head of Pharmacy and Health Population Unit at Expertise France headquarters in Paris and work closely with the Project managers (Health Department and CHDS) and Project Assistant at headquarters. The Team Leader will collaborate with other Project leaders and the support team members from Expertise France in Abuja. S.he will also maintain regular contact with the "France team" in Abuja, including the AFD and the French Embassy, while working in close coordination with Nigerian authorities.

S/he will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the project, collaborating with the Abuja-based project unit, which includes roles dedicated to administration, finance, logistics, security, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL), and project operations, such as the Administration and Finance Manager, Officer, Accounting Assistants, Logistics and Security Officer, MEAL Officer, and Driver. The Team Leader will contribute to the Project Coordination Committee (PCC) and ensure gender and environmental considerations are systematically integrated into planning, implementation and reporting.

The key responsibilities of the Team Leader include the following:

Strategic and Operational Project Management

•        Provide strategic leadership and direction for the FEXTE project, ensuring alignment with contractual frameworks and consultation with all stakeholders, including Expertise France headquarters and the PCC;
•        Ensure alignment of project activities with national health strategies, FEXTE objectives, and AFD/Expertise France priorities.
•        Foster strong collaboration with national authorities (NAFDAC, NHIA, FMoH&SW, PVAC) and implementing partners.
•        Participate in sectoral dialogue, particularly within the framework of COMPACT (Nigerian Health Sector Agreement) and the SWAp strategy promoted by the Nigerian authorities;
•        Define and manage both strategic and operational project goals, ensuring coherence with existing and forthcoming policies, programs, and initiatives in Nigeria.
•        Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities, ensuring timely delivery of outputs and alignment with objectives, log frame targets, and budget.
•        Supervise the financial and accounting management of the project in accordance with Expertise France and AFD guidelines.
•        Lead internal steering exercises (semi-annual and annual reviews), and co-chair project monitoring and steering committees with partners (AFD, Nigerian authorities).
•        Oversee the deployment of short- and long-term experts, ensuring efficient mission planning, needs assessment, and quality control of deliverables.
•        Facilitate internal and external project missions (headquarters visits, expert assignments, etc.) to ensure smooth project implementation.
•        Support team cohesion and operational implementation of strategic directions from the Abuja-based office.
•        Monitor and report on potential challenges or sectoral developments that may affect project execution, ensuring proactive measures are in place.
•        Contribute to identifying partnership opportunities and aligning with France’s health initiatives in Nigeria.

Project Representation, Institutional Relations, and Communication

•       Serve as the primary liaison between Expertise France, and donor AFD.
•        Represent the project in high-level meetings, technical working groups, and policy dialogues.
•        Build strong institutional relationships to support sustainability and local ownership
•        Build and maintain strong relationships with project beneficiaries, ensuring transparent and regular communication with Nigerian authorities and promoting smooth activity implementation.
•        Coordinate and ensure alignment with other ongoing health sector initiatives, fostering synergies and complementarities with local, national, and EF-implemented projects.
•        Actively participate in sectoral coordination mechanisms and governance bodies, facilitating project-related consultations and meetings.
•        Develop and maintain strong ties with the broader "Team France" (French Embassy, AFD Group), Expertise France geographical coordinators, and the EF Regional Operations Security Coordinator.
•        Supervise the development and implementation of the project’s communication strategy, in collaboration with the AFD focal point for Visibility and Communication.
•        Promote the project and disseminate its results in line with donor and institutional standards, ensuring maximum visibility.
•        Build and maintain a network of institutional, technical, public, and private partners, along with national, regional, and international experts relevant to the project’s objectives.

Technical oversight

•        Provide high-level technical guidance in areas such as health coverage (UHC) system, health technology assessment (HTA), healthcare service planning and gender equity in the health sector.
•        Oversee the delivery of technical support beneficiary institutions, ensuring quality and compliance with international standards.
•        Guide the implementation of capacity-building components. 

Support to Sustainability & Policy Development

•        Support national efforts to institutionalise project results and integrate them into long-term strategies.
•        Identify opportunities to build synergies with other country projects and regional initiatives.
•        Promote policy dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

Administrative and Financial Management

In coordination with the Support Function manager and project team at headquarters:

•        Ensure operational planning aligns with budget forecasting.
•        Oversee and consolidate budget monitoring, including financial reviews and forecasts.
•        Ensure timely updates and accuracy of all financial tracking tools, such as expenditure forecasts, procurement plans, and audit schedules required by the donor.
•        Provide the Support Function manager with necessary data for internal (Expertise France) and external reporting to the donor, ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines and required formats.
•        Monitor and enforce adherence to financial and administrative procedures in line with Expertise France and AFD regulations.
•        Support the preparation of technical and financial reports in collaboration with the project team.
•        Contribute to the development and improvement of project management tools and administrative procedures.

Project Team and Human Resources Management

•        Define operational objectives and lead regular meetings to foster communication and collaboration.
•        Contribute to the setup of the Abuja office and commit to smooth daily operations.
•        Participate in the recruitment and on boarding of mobilised experts, including drafting terms of reference and overseeing their assignments.
•        Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment, fostering strong internal communication and teamwork.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

In coordination with the MEAL Officer in Abuja and with support from dedicated staff at EF headquarters:

•        Assist in the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system at the start of the project:
•        Track both quantitative and qualitative project indicators, contributing to data analysis and ensuring the integration of gender considerations into project strategies.
•        Prepare intermediate and final activity reports (narrative and financial) in line with donor deadlines and contractual requirements.
•        Consolidate and coordinate the preparation of internal and external reports related to project activities.
•        Supervise the implementation of the project’s communication and visibility plan, ensuring all project outcomes are appropriately highlighted. 

This list is not exhaustive, and the tasks and activities mentioned are not restrictive.