SafeStart is a nonprofit organisation implementing a Community-Based Chlorine Access (CBCA) model in rural Kano State, Nigeria. Our programme distributes low-cost chlorine solution to households through a network of community-based redemption agents, with the goal of increasing safe water consumption and reducing waterborne disease. The model is backed by a randomised controlled trial.
Most proven health solutions don’t fail because the evidence is weak. They fail because no one has worked out a practical way to deliver them. That’s the gap SafeStart exists to close, starting with chlorine in Kano and growing into an accelerator for other proven interventions. In 2027 we’re also testing how CBCA can move into routine government delivery, working with the Kano State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (MLGCA).
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Field Operations Manager / Fieldwork Manager
Location: Kano Nigeria (office-based with regular field visits)
Contract Type: Full-time
Reports To: Co-founder
Direct Reports: Field Coordinators (across all active LGAs); Data Entry Operator(s)
Works Closely With: Operations Manager, Data Analyst, Senior Field Trainer and QA Officer, Government Liaison Officer
Role Overview
- The Field Operations Manager leads all of SafeStart’s field operations in Kano State. That covers delivering CBCA in communities, so redemption points stay open, stocked and well run, and running the M&E fieldwork that tells us whether it’s working.
- You’ll oversee Field Coordinators across all active LGAs, and through them the Field Officers. This is a senior role that needs both strategic programme management and close attention to operational detail.
- You’re accountable for a reliable service in every community, the integrity of our field data, our community relationships, and the safety and performance of the whole field team.
Responsibilities
Field Operations and Programme Delivery:
- Plan and manage all field activity against the annual plan, including community launches, routine monitoring visits and M&E survey rounds, so communities are visited on schedule.
- Oversee Field Coordinators across Albasu, Bunkure, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Kiru, Rano and any future LGAs, including providing direction, performance feedback and escalation support.
- Make sure every redemption point stays open, stocked and well run, including how agents are recruited, trained and supported.
- Plan and oversee community demonstration events as new communities are onboarded, working with Field Coordinators on logistics and delivery.
- Manage the budget and schedule for town crier engagements across all active communities, in coordination with Field Coordinators.
- Conduct regular field visits to observe team performance, check quality and maintain direct community relationships.
Supply Chain and Logistics:
- Plan chlorine stock and distribution from storage to redemption points. Forecast needs and prevent stock-outs, working with the Operations Manager on procurement.
- Keep accurate stock records and reconcile them regularly against distribution and redemption data.
- Manage transport, vehicles, fuel and field equipment, including tablets.
- Manage field budgets, including transport, per diems, equipment and community demonstration costs, and report against approved allocations.
Data Quality Assurance:
- Implement and oversee the data quality protocol across all survey rounds, including back-checks and re-interviews where necessary.
- Work closely with the Data Analyst to review incoming SurveyCTO submissions and resolve field-level anomalies.
- Act on findings from the Senior Field Trainer and QA Officer’s independent spot-checks.
- Review and sign off on field data reports before submission to leadership.
People and Safety:
- Recruit, onboard and train field staff, working with the Senior Field Trainer and QA Officer.
- Set clear targets, hold regular check-ins, and handle performance and disciplinary issues fairly and promptly.
- Own field security: monitor risks, plan around elections and unrest, keep track of staff whereabouts, and make sure incidents are reported.
- Make sure field staff follow SafeStart’s safeguarding, consent and data protection procedures, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Stakeholder and Community Engagement:
- Maintain strong relationships with LGA-level government contacts, traditional and community leaders, redemption agents and partners.
- Represent SafeStart in field-level coordination meetings.
- Escalate community or security issues to leadership promptly and propose mitigation measures.
- For the 2027 government pilot, make sure established communities are in good order before handover to LGA WASH officers, working with the Senior Field Trainer and QA Officer and the Government Liaison Officer.
Programme Support:
- Report weekly to leadership on progress against plan, problems, and decisions needed.
- Contribute operational knowledge to the design and testing of new SurveyCTO survey instruments.
- Advise leadership on community selection, staffing requirements and logistical feasibility as the programme scales.
- Contribute field and data sections to donor reports, programme evaluations and strategic planning documents.
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in public health, development studies, social sciences or a related field.
- Minimum of 4 years of field operations or M&E experience, including at least 2 years in a management role with an NGO or research organisation.
- Demonstrated experience managing field teams of 5 or more staff across multiple locations.
- Experience running field logistics: stock, transport and supplies.
- Strong written English, including drafting field reports, briefings and stakeholder communications.
- Fluency in Hausa.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions independently under field conditions.
Desirable:
- Experience in WASH programming, community-based health promotion, or RCT and evaluation fieldwork.
- Experience with commodity distribution programmes, such as nets, medicines or water treatment.
- Familiarity with SurveyCTO, Kobo or similar mobile data collection platforms.
- Experience managing budgets and field logistics in rural northern Nigeria.
- A valid driving licence.
Application Closing Date
10th November, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Note
- Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and a more detailed assessment.
- SafeStart reserves the right not to appoint.
