CHRISTOPHER OGAR
Health And Social Development Professional
Jos,Plateau
Summary
Christopher Ogar is a professional with more than 17 years progressive experience in developing, implementing, and managing health, community and social development programs. He currently serves OVC/Child Protection Advisor with Save the Children USA. He has previously served as Program Specialist- Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) with the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Project Lead – OVC for the 4GATES project with Catholic Relief Services in Nigeria, OVC Lead with MSH and as Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID funded Links for Children Project jointly Implemented by Save the Children International (SCI) and Association for Reproductive and Family (ARFH). Christopher Ogar also has a basic knowledge of French and Hausa
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
23
23
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Advisor - Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Child Protection
Save the Children USA (SCUS)
10.2021 - Current
- Provide program management and technical leadership to $106 million US dollars Resources towards the Elimination of Children Vulnerability (REVE) project in Cote D' Ivoire, $24 million US dollars Family Care First project (FCF) project in Cambodia and a 1.1 million US dollars Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award (ICHSSA)
- Serve as the focal point for capacity strengthening (local capacity building) within the Department of Education and child protection SCUS
- Provides high quality technical and program management support to SC child protection program on OVC, DREAMS and Family Strengthening
- Serves as technical focal point for OVC and DREAMS program implemented by Save the Children globally.
Project Officer
Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS)
8 2009 - 6 2010
- Design and manage the ECEWS HIV prevention & OVC programs in line with the national prevention strategy
- Responsible for social prevention programs in reference to; Abstinence and be faithful and condoms and other prevention (ABC&OP) programming for most at risk population and Adolescents
- Support the OVC & Basic Care and Support focal persons to implement high-quality care & support services
- Coordinate and network with Local, State, FGN, relevant government bodies and stakeholders
- Prepare and submit Programs report to the Director of Programs for onward submission to CDC.
Program Specialist - Orphans and Vulnerable Children
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
12.2020 - 10.2021
- Responsible for providing project support to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), contributing to the planning of a national program of care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), with emphasis on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
- Ensures the development and coordination of assessment activities and establish the program's guidelines, procedures and strategies
- Provides the CDC office with the necessary management, psychosocial, community mobilization and social services expertise to apply to the management of CDC-sponsored supportive care activities aimed at mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their families in an integrated and holistic manner
- Ensures collaboration among CDC and other USG partners involved in OVC Care and Support (C&S) programs
- Takes the lead in promoting the use of internationally recognized best practices in care and support for OVC households among CDC-sponsored programs in Nigeria.
Project Lead (OVC) 4GATE Project
Catholic Relief Services
02.2020 - 11.2020
- Provide overall program management and technical coordination for the CRS 4GATES team
- Ensure timeliness and efficiency of all program activities for achieving 4GATES objectives and targets
- Coordinate the Case Management, MEAL and Social Welfare Systems Strengthening and Household Economic Strengthening component of the OVC program of the 4GATES project
- Support the establishment and effective management of the project sub-recipients and other strategic partnerships
- Support program planning and reviews and accountable reporting in line with 4GATES program and grants management manual and process.
Senior Technical Advisor (Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Capacity Building)
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
11.2016 - 01.2020
- Oversees the design, development, and implementation of the OVC program through sub-awards grantees civil society organizations
- Provide technical support to government authorities with and guidance to plan and coordinate sustainable programs for vulnerable children particularly at State, Local Government Area (LGA) Community levels
- Leads technical assistance in the area Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and Adolescent girls programming
- Provide project-wide technical leadership on House Economic Strengthening including the Saving groups methodology
- Provide technical leadership in establishing and strengthening community quality improvement teams
- Assist in developing program work plans, particularly work plans focusing on children and adolescents (with emphasis on adolescent girls)
- Assure the quality of child and adolescent focus programs through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programs and projects
- Strengthen linkages between OVC and HIV Care and Treatments services in project focus states
- Support preparation of program recommendations for inclusion in formal program documentation and to USAID
- Ensure program efficiency and delivery through transparent approach to program planning and monitoring
- Ensure viable recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the fulfillment of the rights of vulnerable children and caregivers
- Leads the CaTSS MSH Mentorship program
- Support the overall implementation of MSH Nigeria gender strategy.
Senior Technical Advisor; Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
11.2015 - 11.2016
- Develop and implement a comprehensive capacity building strategy for State government and CSO partners to ensure the initiation of quality OVC services in target communities
- Leads technical assistance in the area Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and Adolescent girls programming
- Provide project-wide technical leadership on House Economic Strengthening including the Saving groups methodology
- Support the overall implementation of MSH Nigeria gender strategy
- Assist in developing program work plans, particularly work plans focusing on children and adolescents (with emphasis on adolescent girls)
- Assure the quality of child and adolescent focus programs through consistent and effective planning, design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation of programs and projects
- Provide technical support and mentoring of OVC desk officers at partner State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (SMWASD) units to enhance sustainability and ownership of the OVC program
- Provide technical oversight for management of the project's OVC focused small grants programs with assistance from the senior technical advisor and working closely with the field based specialist
- Design strategy and roll out plan for building and coordinating networks of VC focused community-based service organizations/providers and using these networks to leverage additional resources for championing VC initiatives in focus states.
Technical Advisor, Community Care Services
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
02.2014 - 11.2015
- Provide technical oversight and support to Community Based Organization (CBO) implementing Vulnerable Children (VC) programs on the project
- Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of sub-grants to CBOs on Positive Health Dignity and Prevention Program for People Living with HIV(PLHIV)
- Coordinate the implementation Household Economic Strengthening and other livelihood Initiatives for Households of PLHIVs and VCs
- Coordinate the implementation of Community Based activities primarily targeted at PLHIVs, VCs and their families
- Responsible for HIV testing and counseling services in the facility and community
- Support the project team in delivering other system strengthening activities
- Develop work plan and write high-quality reports for the project.
Deputy Program Manager/DCOP – SCI/ARFH Links for Children Project
Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)
09.2013 - 01.2014
- Provides line Management of State Team Leaders (Bauchi, Kaduna and Katsina)
- Provide Project Management Oversight to the implementation of the Transforming Girl Child Education Project in Northern Nigeria
- Network and liaise with major OVC and child protection donors
- Coordinates and oversees all aspects of project implementation including work plan development and execution, etc
- Support Technical Advisor in project implementation including the Economic Strengthening component of the LFC project
- Institutionalize and oversees quality implementation of system-wide performance improvement programmatic processes in all projects
- Establish and Maintain effective working relationship with both Government and non-Governmental Agencies
- Provide technical and project management support to Community Based Organizations on the project
- Report directly to the National Program Manager Links for Children Project (LFC) Save the Children International.
Associate Director/State Program Coordinator (Kogi) -HIV Sexual Transmission Prevention
HOPE worldwide Nigeria
07.2010 - 08.2013
- Lead in the implementation of HWWN sexual transmission prevention of HIV program including the STIs component
- Provides line Management of State Program Staff
- Coordinates and manages all HWWN projects implemented in the state
- Provides day to day leadership of HWWN projects implemented in Kogi State
- Liaise with Government at State and National level to ensure that development programs including HIV prevention, Reproductive Health and Vulnerable Children programs are implemented in line with National guidelines
- Builds the technical capacity of staff and CBOs in grant and financial management in line with funders' requirement
- Support in the development of concept papers and proposal for grants in the area of Reproductive Health, HIV prevention and Vulnerable Children Programs
- Directs and supervises technical staff on the program
- Leads and manages HWWN programs in Kogi state
- Submit reports and provide feedback to the Chief Executive Officer HWWN.
HIV/AIDS Coordinator
CRS (7D /SUN) Community Based Care & Support (CBCS) Program
01.2009 - 07.2009
- Coordinate, supervise and monitor activities of Program Staff and Community volunteers
- Work closely with Stakeholders the community in designing and implementing community-based HIV/AIDS intervention in the area of OVC Care and Support, Adult care and Prevention
- Provision of technical support to other program staff
- Prepare all program reports to CRS/Nigeria and USAID.
Prevention Officer
CBCS Programme Akwanga
03.2007 - 12.2008
- Development of IEC material on prevention for the program
- Supervising and monitoring of in-school and out-of-school youth prevention intervention
- Supervising and monitoring marital couple activities for fidelity programming
- Prepare and submit monthly reports on Prevention to the HIV/AIDS Coordinator
- Responsible for training of Corp Members (Peer Education Trainers) of HIV Prevention for Adolescents and young people
- Provide Mentorship to Peer Education Trainers
- Report achievement and successes to UNICEF, Nigeria.
Project Volunteer
Adolescent Action Pact
01.2005 - 01.2006
Education
DELF A1 -
Institut Francais du Nigeria
01.2017 - 04.2022
Master of Science - Social Works
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Ogbomosho, Nigeria 01.2012 - 04.2014
Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research - Sexual And Reproductive Health Research
Geneva Foundation For Medical Education And Research (WHO Collaborating Center in Human Reproductive Health Research)
Geneva 01.2012 - 04.2013
Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Community Development - Community Development
Institute of Development Administration of Nigeria (Moderated By University of Ibadan DLC)
Abuja, Nigeria 01.2008 - 04.2009
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Calabar
Calabar, Nigeria 01.2000 - 04.2005
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (S.S.C.E.) - undefined
Pope John Paul 11 Seminary Okpoma Yala
01.1991 - 04.1998
Skills
17 years of relevant experience implementing social, health and community development programs (this includes system strengthening health and social development programs)
17 years' experience working in resource limited settings (3 years providing technical assistance and program management support across different countries in Africa and Cambodia in South-East Asia)
17 years implementing Community HIV and social protection programs using community participatory methodologies
17 Years' experience supporting Economic Strengthening and livelihood initiatives
14 years' experience in capacity building and organizational development for local organizations community structures, civil society organizations and government
14 years' experience implementing adolescents and women focused programs with priority on adolescent girls and young women
14 years' experience managing small grants given to local organizations
14 years' demonstrated experience providing technical guidance on designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting for competitive USG opportunities
11 years' experience in technical design, proposal development, and reporting for USG and private donors
A postgraduate diploma in Community Development and Msc in Social Works
Certification
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2017-01-01, 2022-01-01
Coursestrainingattended
- Procurement Integrity and Organizational Conflict of Interest, Management Sciences for health, 2015-04-01, Online University
- Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, Management Sciences for health, 2015-04-01, Online University
- Coaching for Performance, Management Sciences for health, 2014-11-01, Online University
- Delegating Means Succeeding Together, Management Sciences for health, 2014-12-01, Online University
- Budget Management, Save the Children International, 2013-10-29, Abuja, Nigeria
- Sexuality Leadership Development Fellowship, Africa Regional Sexuality Resource Center, 2013-07-14, Lagos, Nigeria
- Social and Behavior Change Communication, C-Change (USAID funded Project), 2012-05-21, Lokoja, Nigeria
- Minimum Package of Prevention Intervention, HOPE Worldwide NIGERIA/USAID, 2010-08-09, Lagos, Nigeria
- Executive Leadership Development Program, ECEWS, Ivory Consult Limited, 2010-02-03, Uyo, Nigeria
- Basic Care Training, SFH-ENR, 2009-03-01, Makurdi, Nigeria
- Youth and Reproductive Health, Global Health e-learning center, 2008-10-01, Online
- Fundamentals of M&E, Global Health E-learning Center, 2008-10-01, Online
- Basic Principles of Adult Learning, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), 2008-06-11, Akwanga, Nigeria
- OVC Care and Support Training, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), 2008-03-17, Abuja Nigeria
- Peer Education training course on Reproductive Health and HIV Prevention, UNICEF, 2006-02-20, Bauchi, Nigeria
Additionalcapabilities
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Result oriented pursuit of goals and Creativity.
- Innovative and possess the ability to work under pressure.
- A good knowledge of computer.
- Team player
- Good knowledge of Program monitoring and evaluation
Summaryofaccomplishment
Christopher Ogar is a professional with more than 17 years progressive experience in designing, implementing, and managing health, community, and social development programs. He currently serves as Child Protection and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Advisor with Save the Children USA. He served as OVC Specialist and Project Lead – OVC for the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and 4GATES project with Catholic Relief Services in Nigeria, respectively amongst other position held.
Address
- Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe, Abuja
- 16 Temple Road, Jos, Plateau
- Nigeria
Publications
Qualitative Inquiry of Knowledge, Behaviour, and Practice on HIV & AIDS among Youths in Kogi State, European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol 21, 1, 2013-01-01
Timeline
Advisor - Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Child Protection
Save the Children USA (SCUS)
10.2021 - Current
Program Specialist - Orphans and Vulnerable Children
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
12.2020 - 10.2021
Project Lead (OVC) 4GATE Project
Catholic Relief Services
02.2020 - 11.2020
DELF A1 -
Institut Francais du Nigeria
01.2017 - 04.2022
Senior Technical Advisor (Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Capacity Building)
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
11.2016 - 01.2020
Senior Technical Advisor; Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
11.2015 - 11.2016
Technical Advisor, Community Care Services
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
02.2014 - 11.2015
Deputy Program Manager/DCOP – SCI/ARFH Links for Children Project
Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)
09.2013 - 01.2014
Master of Science - Social Works
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
01.2012 - 04.2014
Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research - Sexual And Reproductive Health Research
Geneva Foundation For Medical Education And Research (WHO Collaborating Center in Human Reproductive Health Research)
01.2012 - 04.2013
Associate Director/State Program Coordinator (Kogi) -HIV Sexual Transmission Prevention
HOPE worldwide Nigeria
07.2010 - 08.2013
HIV/AIDS Coordinator
CRS (7D /SUN) Community Based Care & Support (CBCS) Program
01.2009 - 07.2009
Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Community Development - Community Development
Institute of Development Administration of Nigeria (Moderated By University of Ibadan DLC)
01.2008 - 04.2009
Prevention Officer
CBCS Programme Akwanga
03.2007 - 12.2008
Project Volunteer
Adolescent Action Pact
01.2005 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology
University of Calabar
01.2000 - 04.2005
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (S.S.C.E.) - undefined
Pope John Paul 11 Seminary Okpoma Yala
01.1991 - 04.1998
Project Officer
Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS)
8 2009 - 6 2010
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