Project Director at the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Project Director

Job ID: 13-10429
Location: Abuja
Reports To: Portfolio Director

Overview
The USAID funded Care and Treatment for Sustained Support (CaTSS) Project was awarded to MSH on November 15, 2016 and is expected to end March 31, 2019.  CaTSS supports the maintenance and uninterrupted delivery of quality HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) care and treatment services, integrated into Nigeria’s health system and therefore contributing to the achievement of USAID Nigeria’s Development Objective 2: a healthier, more educated population in targeted states. CaTSS works in close collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) at the national, state, and local levels in the five President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) sustained response states: Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara, which include 44 local government areas (LGAs) and 107 facilities (41 comprehensive sites and 66 prevention of mother-to-child transmission [PMTCT] sites).

CaTSS technical support is tailored to match the specific program gaps in the respective project states while maintaining the considerable progress to date.  In addition to the stated goal of CaTSS, MSH envisions, upon the successful implementation of the project, that health facilities with strong systems and dedicated and skilled staff deliver quality, accessible, and integrated services that optimize health outcomes for the populations they serve.

CaTSS is pursuing three results areas:

• Sustained access to and utilization of HIV/AIDS and TB care and treatment services
• Increased host government capacity to plan, manage, coordinate, and lead HIV/AIDS programs at state and local government levels
• Improved capacity of health care facilities to provide sustainable, integrated, quality HIV/AIDS and TB services

These are in addition to pursuing the following cross-cutting project outcomes:

• Enhanced sustainability and ownership
• Increased integration of services
• Optimized service utilization
• Enhanced visibility of  the project, USAID, and PEPFAR

Specific Responsibilities

• The Project Director leads and manages the Care and Treatment in Sustained States (CaTSS) 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 and stakeholder relationships; and
  • Coordination and synergy with other USAID projects, collaboration with the MSH Country Representative and the Ministry of Health.

Project Results:

• Meeting client expectations - 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 Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
• Project Management - effective project management systems within MSH policies, guidelines and Standard Operation Procedures while ensuring local ownership, appropriateness and responsiveness.
• Relationships - effective dialogue and relationships with project client(s), beneficiaries, partner(s), coworkers and other local and international stakeholders.
• Safeguarding MSH - safeguarding MSH’s reputation by ensuring that financial, contractual, technical, and political integrity is maintained and strengthened.

Vision and Technical Strategy:

• Develop (adapt as needed) and execute project’s 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 Result 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 clause, MSH and donor policies, regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Lead on-going project activities, project extension and/or close-out related planning, implementation and reporting as required.
• Ensure project staffing, structure and reporting relationships are aligned with project needs, local context and available resources.
• Manage human resources as per 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 Technical Support Lead and Senior Project Officer, develop technical assistance plan and budget.
• Coordination and collaboration among Federal and State governments, disease programs, and multilateral and bilateral agencies to avoid duplication of efforts and to efficiently achieve results on strengthening laboratory systems, procurement and supply chain and HMIS.

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 Networks (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 relationships 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, developing local and international networks to disseminate project results, attract talent and generate business.

One MSH Contribution:

• Collaborate with MSH Country Representative and participate as required in activities organized in the context of MSH representation in country.
• Ensure effective collaboration, coordination and internal partnerships with other Projects, Centers and Offices to build synergies across programs for maximum impact.

Qualifications and Experience

• MPH, MBA or Master’s level degree in related field or equivalent experience
• Ten plus (10+) years of progressively responsible, related experience is required**. (**Donor requirements in an RFP/RFA may be more or fewer years).
• Experience managing USAID funded projects, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and/or malaria programs. Experience in Nigeria with Federal- and State-level programs is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in technical content relevant to the project
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities
• Prior experience participating in successful execution of similar or larger international donor-funded projects
• A proven approach to capacity building, professional networking and working in partnership with other implementers and host country government
• Ability to identify and contribute to the implementation of service delivery models/models of care to improve HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria management delivered at health facilities and community levels
• Extraordinary verbal and written communication skills to manage project communications and disseminate project information are required
• Excellent staff management skills and ability to lead across full spectrum of responsibilities including technical management, monitoring & evaluation, work plan development and implementation monitoring.
• Excellent donor management skills.
• Strong written and oral presentation skills in English
• Demonstrated strategic planning and visioning skills
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and administrative procedures
• Knowledge/experience of USAID reporting requirements

Application Closing Date
28th December, 2018.

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