Chief of Party at Management Sciences for Health

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a nonprofit international health organization with nearly 2,500 people from over 74 nationalities working in over 40 countries. Our mission: Saving lives and improving the health of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Together with our partners, we are helping managers and leaders in developing countries to create stronger management systems that improve health services for the greatest health impact.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Chief of Party

Location: Nigeria
Reports To: Project Director Supervisor

Job Description

• The Chief of Party leads and manages the MSH project.
• S/he is accountable for project deliverables and results, and has full accountability and authority for the development, execution, and monitoring of the project, including:
  • Vision and technical strategy;
  • Project management;
  • Documentation and communication;
  • Client(s) and stakeholder(s) relationships;
  • Coordination and synergy with other MSH projects, and collaboration with MSH Country Representative and the Country Operations Management Unit (COMU). 
• The Chief of Party is responsible for technical leadership and administrative oversight of the project and will serve as the principal institutional liaison to USAID.

Specific Responsibilities

Project Results:

• Client expectations- Ensure achievement of contract/agreement goals (meeting or exceeding expected project targets and deliverables on time and within budget) as per contract/agreement and client(s) approved Results Framework and Performance Monitoring Plan.
• Project Management- Provide effective project management systems within MSH policies, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures while ensuring local ownership, appropriateness and responsiveness.
• Relationships- Cultivate and maintain effective dialogue and relationships with project client(s), beneficiaries, partner(s), coworkers and other local and international stakeholders.
• MSH Interests- Safeguard MSH's reputation by ensuring that financial, contractual, technical, and political integrity is maintained and strengthened.

Vision and Technical Strategy:

• Develop and execute project's Results Framework, Performance Monitoring Plan, Technical Strategy, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan and annual project work plans as per contract/agreement requirements, approved budget and received obligations, MSH technical frameworks and standards, and Results Management Systems (RMS) guidelines.

Project Management:

• Implement a Financial Pipeline Tracking system for effective budget monitoring and cost control based on sound financial and accounting principles, MSH Standard Operating Procedures, and MSH and donor reporting requirements.
• Develop and adapt (as needed) project financial plan in line with contract/agreement budget and received obligations, technical strategy, work plan, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure contract/agreement implementation in compliance with contract/agreement clauses, MSH and donor policies, regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure project staffing, structure and reporting relationships are aligned with project needs, local context and available resources.
• Manage human resources in accordance to MSH values, policies and guidelines, and implement an effective performance-management program focusing on results and individual accountability, including regular check-ins, annual appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching and career development support.
• With support of Project Director Supervisor, develop technical assistance plan and budget.

Documentation and Communication:

• Ensure appropriate and timely documentation and dissemination of key results and deliverables for maximum project impact and business development using a variety of communication strategies and media.
• Promote and facilitate staff participation in MSH's Technical Exchange Network (TEN) and south-to-south exchanges.
• Ensure quarterly submission of project documentation to MSH's central Institutional Memory System (IMS).

Client(s) and other Stakeholder(s) Relationships:

• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.
• Contribute to building MSH's reputation by developing local and international networks to disseminate project results, attract talent and generate business.

Other MSH Contributions:

• Collaborate with the MSH Country Representative and participate as required in activities organized in the context of MSH Representation in country.
• Ensure harmonious collaboration with, and cost-effective use of, the COMU.
• Collaborate with the Office of Strategic Development and Communications in aspects of business development, including strategic communication, intelligence gathering, positioning, proposal development, etc.
• Identify and track new business opportunities by communicating them to the relevant internal MSH stakeholders.
• Ensure effective project collaboration, coordination and internal partnerships with other projects, Centers and Offices to build synergies across programs for maximum impact.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in management, public health, international development or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in international development projects, including 5 years of previous experience as a Chief of Party.
• Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of similar-sized international donor-supported programs, with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision and budgeting, and preferably must have experience in managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions.
• Strong communication skill to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, USAID, CAs, and donor organizations.
• Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: This position is subject to project award and funding.