Senior Project Manager (HeRON) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Project Manager (HeRON)

Requisition ID: req37468
Location: Yola, Adamawa
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Contextual Background

• The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations.
• IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State.
• Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview / Summary
HeRON Project Overview in Adamawa:

• Since 2020, the Health Resilience of the Northeast (HeRON) project has been working alongside states and local government authorities in Borno and Yobe, strengthening their capacity to effectively deliver quality integrated primary healthcare, reproductive, maternal, and newborn and child health and nutrition services.
• In late 2022, HeRON conducted a health needs assessment in Adamawa state to ascertain the readiness of the health system to provide quality primary healthcare services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host community members.
• In 2023, HeRON will expand to Adamawa state to support the State Government in implementing a resettlement plan for IDPs across selected LGAs from dependency on emergency humanitarian aid to independent and self-sufficient residents of Adamawa state, and support the IDPs, IDP returnees, and vulnerable host community members have improved access to quality primary health care and Nutrition services.

Scope of Work

• IRC is seeking a dynamic and experienced public health and project management professional to provide technical support to State’s MoH and LGAs to strengthen the health system.
• Reporting to the HeRON Consortium Deputy Team Leader, the Senior HeRON Project Manager will provide sound technical management and coordination of HeRON  Adamawa implementing team for project deliverables' successful implementation and achievement. .
• He/She will be responsible for working with the IRC’s Adamawa HeRON project team, for ensuring that the program is executed according to the work plan and budget, in line with donor policies and State’s government priorities and IDPs transition plans  with particular focus on program quality and sustainability across health system strengthening components.
• He/She will be responsible for maintaining regular contact and supervision with the field staff and LGA authorities, ensuring quality monitoring of Adamawa program implementation and progress.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, Strategy and Partnerships:

• Provide managerial oversight to the IRC Adamawa team for the implementation of Adamawa HeRON program activities with high quality, meeting IRC and MoH, and in line withUSAID requirements. .
• On a day-to-day basis, manage financial and operational support of the HeRON implementing team in Adamawa to optimize resources through sound budgets and consistent financial tracking
• Coordination with HeRON managers to prepare project and execute work plans in line with HSS initiatives and health governance, with clear targets and deliverables (based on project indicators); manage timely and quality reporting processes, in accordance with HeRON grant requirements
• Develop budget spend plans for Adamawa implementation, conduct reviews of the budget through integra platform monthly, and take necessary actions; ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently tracked and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation, and submission of all internal HeRON reports, including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and ad hoc reports.
• Participate in assessments and execution of heron pilots as planned
• Ensure constant liaison with MoH officials at LGA implementation level, to maintain partnerships and stakeholders’ engagement, in line with HeRON program strategy for sustainability
• Undertake regular field visits to monitor project implementation, provide on-the-spot technical support to field teams accordingly.
• Supervise and provide technical oversight in the interpretation of data for improved programming and implementation: Ensure regular program data analysis and review, take follow up action on project implementation, and prepare relevant action reports.
• Perform any other relevant task as directed by the line manager.

Coordination & Representation:

• Represent the project to State and Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required.
• In coordination with the consortium leadership, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, government actors, USAID funded partners and other  international and local NGOs, etc.
• Participate at coordination meetings: All HeRON consortium coordination related, and any other relevant IRC internal meetings as required
• Participate at external coordination meetings (Health cluster, Nutrition cluster, relevant TWGs and Task forces, etc.) as required
• Facilitate field monitoring visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of Heron  Adamawa team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of his/her team.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Provide technical support to project staff and provide them with necessary mentoring and trainings as needed, to build their capacity and enabling them to perform their tasks, including project management skills.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures; and communicate through words and examples a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Key Working Relationships

• Line Manager:  HeRON Consortium Deputy Team Leader
• Indirect/Functional Reporting:  HeRON Team Lead
• Technical Collaboration: IRC Senior Program Coordinator (Health Outcome), HeRON Senior Managers (Program, M&E, Health Governance, Pharma), , Senior Project Manager (Borno and Yobe)
• Position directly Supervises:   HeRON Manager – Yola, HeRON Manager – Mubi, M&E Manager- Yola

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  Consortium Finance Coordinator, HeRON Pharmacy Manager, IRC’s relevant Sector Leads (Health, Nutrition, WASH), Mubi Finance, Supply chain and logistics, security  and Field coordinator
• Region/Global: Health Technical Advisor, Governance Technical Advisor
• Key External Contacts:  MoH Officials at State & LGA level, other USAID funded partners

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Health-related field, with a post-graduate qualification (Preferably Master’s degree) in Public Health, Development Studies, or any other relevant field.
• Previous Training in Project Management, Systems Strengthening, Leadership and Governance is an added advantage
• Work Experience, Required Technical Skills & Leadership Competencies:
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in coordination and implementation of health programs, specifically in management of health system strengthening (HSS) programs, working jointly with national, state, and/or local health actors to strengthen the quality and responsiveness of services.
• Technical expertise and working knowledge in advocacy, HSS and health governance; Technical skill in participatory processes, and methodologies, preferably in a conflict or post-conflict environment.
• Background in situation analysis, health assessments
• Demonstrated good judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to handle a large and dynamic workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Experience in general management, including financial and budget management, HR and logistics management
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams and working in tandem with local stakeholders
• Skills and experience of remote management and willingness to travel extensively; Flexible, diplomatic and have ability and willingness live and work under pressure of workloads
• Experience in reports writing and budgeting (organization and donor reporting)
• Familiarity of the context of Adamawa State
• Languages:  English Fluency (spoken and written)

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to Travel:  30% ability to travel to field locations

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.