Overview:
Jhpiego seeks a Chief of Party (COP) to provide vision, leadership and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity for an upcoming United States Agency for International Development (USAID) family planning/reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (FP/RMNCAH) project in Kenya. The project aims to increase use of quality country-led FP/RMNCAH, nutrition and WASH services. The project will operate over a 5 year period.
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the COP will have the overall responsibility for leadership and management and reporting of project activities. S/he will be responsible for making key decisions and solving problems in short timeframes while ensuring operational and program quality and integrity. S/he will serve as the project’s main point of contact with USAID, on routine and strategic matters. S/he will also ensure effective organizational management and communication with the host country government at all levels, and international partners and agencies.
This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure programmatic and financial integrity of the project, and to achieve rapid and sustained goals, objectives and targets
- Ensure that the project is technically sound, evidence-based and responsive to the needs of Kenya, its people and donors
- Ensure compliance with the terms of the award
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with USAID, the Government of Kenya’s Ministry of Health, as well as implementing partners, private sector partners and other key stakeholders to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort
- Represent Jhpiego and the project’s progress, achievements and lessons learned to donors, other key stakeholders, and through meetings, conferences, and presentations
- Provide technical leadership and ensure the quality and sustainability of interventions
- Collaborate with project team to build capacity within FP/RMNCAH and WASH and nutrition services
- Lead the annual work planning process in close collaboration with USAID, Government of Kenya’s Ministry of Health, and project team
- Oversee the quality, preparation, and timely submission of project reports to donor
- Mentor, support, supervise and manage a team of highly qualified staff and align their efforts to ensure rapid and sustainable results
- Provide guidance, in collaboration with staff, to subcontractors and sub-grantees
- Write and/or review project materials and publications
- Work with finance and project staff to develop and track project budgets
- Work with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff to develop M&E frameworks and effectively track data/results
- Work closely with Jhpiego home office staff to ensure effective, timely and coordinated project implementation
- Ensure compliance with USAID operational policies and regulations
Required Qualifications:
- Advanced degree with a minimum of a Master’s degree in public health, health administration/management, social services, international health, business administration or a related field; MD preferred
- Previous experience serving as COP/project director or DCOP or senior level management
- At least ten years of demonstrated technical experience as senior staff in at least two of the following areas: maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH); family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH); nutrition; AND demonstrated technical expertise in at least two of the following areas: quality improvement/quality assurance; health systems strengthening; M&E; and operations research.
- 7+ years’ experience in development, managing, overseeing, or evaluating public health programs in Africa of similar size and complexity.
- 7+ years’ experience in program management and administration, financial management, award contractual compliance, subaward management, and tracking project performance and costs via specific funding streams.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing project systems and overseeing project start-up and close-out
- Previous experience working in Kenya with intimate understanding of local health system and FP/RMNCAH gaps and opportunities, and solid relationships at government agencies
- Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving program needs
- Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector, as well as create synergies among stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level
- In-depth knowledge USAID programs, regulations, compliance and reporting requirements
- Strong management skills, strategic vision, leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, as well as written and oral presentation skills to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the project description
- Experience in health systems strengthening and capacity building, working closely with the national and county government and other partners
- Expertise in research to practice—identifying and adapting best practices to specific project contexts
- Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, and coordination
- Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English and Swahili
- Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional and national programs and technical staff
- Proficiency in word processing and Microsoft Office
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally 50% of time
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
More Information
- Job City Nairobi