HJF/HJFMRI PEPFAR Kenya Country Director (214717) 426 views0 applications

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine is seeking a HJF/HJFMRI PEPFAR Kenya Country Director to support the US Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) located in Nairobi, Kenya. HJF provides scientific, technical and programmatic support services to MHRP.

The US Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) is staffed and aided by the Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) to employ specialized HIV/AIDS technical support in Kenya. Efforts executed under this program focus primarily on HIV prevention, care and treatment with funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The HJF/HJFMRI PEPFAR Kenya Country Director is expected to provide leadership and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of the MRD-A/Kenya PEPFAR HJFMRI program and is responsible for achieving the planned results. The incumbent will support three separate programs across Kenya based in the South Rift Valley, Kisumu, and Nairobi (Kenya Defence Forces) in the day-to-day oversight of diverse activities and personnel executing and supporting public health and research programs. The HJF/HJFMRI PEPFAR Kenya Country Director will be the primary Kenya point of contact for HJF and partner institutions, and is responsible for overall program management and guidance to respective team members. In coordination with other PEPFAR implementing partners across Kenya, the incumbent will contribute technical and leadership expertise to formulate the direction and implementation of the HJF country strategy. The incumbent will closely coordinate and liaise with MRD-A/Kenya personnel to ensure a successful program.

Responsibilities:

• Vision, Strategy and Relationship Management:
  1. Serves in a senior level leadership capacity overseeing all HJF PEPFAR activities supporting MHRP and MRD-A/Kenya.
  2. Continuously drives the PEPFAR HJF/HJFMRI strategic direction and planning process for Kenya in close coordination with US-based MHRP, HJF HQ and MRD-A/Kenya personnel.
  3. Fosters and cultivates high-value relationships with all relevant Kenyan Ministries (Ministry of Health, Office of the Prime Minister, National AIDS & STI Control Programme, etc.) and other active and potential stakeholders.
  4. Develops and maintains strategic relationships and alliances with the other USG partners and funders, including private sector partnerships.
  5. Represents MRD-A/Kenya in a variety of settings and audiences, to include USG personnel, when requested by MRD-A/Kenya.
  6. Strongly advocates on behalf the program with national/international partners.
• Program Management:
  1. Serves as the lead HJF MHRP in-country point of contact for addressing PEPFAR operational, administrative, and implementation issues across the three programs.
  2. Provides management, strategic direction and oversight to the project’s technical, administrative and financial performance.
  3. Oversees implementation of project monitoring and evaluation activities and assures the quality of technical interventions at national and provincial level.
  4. Works with administrative, technical and programmatic leads (program directors) to ensure effective implementation and coordination of program activities of sub-partners and supported facilities and monitor progress toward the achievement of the project-specific program goals and objectives.
  5. Directs the in-country workplan and budgeting processes; ensure the programmatic and financial plans are in-line with overall strategic goals and that administrative/operational work plans can effectively support those activities.
  6. Collaborates closely with MRD-A/Kenya PEPFAR LES staff and leadership in developing PEPFAR-related interventions to include Country Operational Plan (COP) development; routine qualitative and quantitative PEPFAR reporting requirements; and routine monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of interventions and results against annual targets.
  7. Ensures that technical, financial, and administrative activities are carried out according to WRAIR/ US Dep. of Army and HJF policies and procedures.
  8. Serve as the liaison with a variety of public and private stakeholders, including MRD-A/Kenya, HJFMRI staff, implementing partners, local, regional and national governments, international organizations, and donors.
  9. Proactively identifies, anticipates and resolves potential problems and solicits assistance and input as needed to ensure that the project’s performance meets or exceeds technical and financial contractual requirements.
  10. Presents progress, achievements, and lessons learned to key stakeholders, including funder, government, and other implementing partners.
  11. Ensures timely and accurate reporting of program activities and results to HJF HQ, MHRP, MRD-A/Kenya and PEPFAR USG in-country personnel.
  12. Attend local, regional and international meetings, as required.
• Other Job Duties:
  1. Provides collaborative assistance and mentoring to other program personnel and research scientists that require the incumbent’s expertise.
  2. Maintains a safe work environment with appropriate training of other personnel.
  3. Supports a productive team environment.
  4. Completes other projects as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience managing relationships with governments, donors, and other partners in a complex political environment.
• Outstanding leadership skills with a proven track record of building, directing, motivating, and managing teams composed of technical experts, program managers, and administrative staff.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts; strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent strategic agility, diplomatic, advocacy, and conflict management skills.
• Knowledge of applicable USG procurement and contracting policies.
• Experience with PEPFAR highly desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; fluency in Kiswahili is a plus.
• Experience living and working in East Africa preferred.

Minimum Education: Advanced degree: Masters (MPH, MHA, etc.) is required with Doctorate (DrPH, or PhD, or MD) in public health or relevant field preferred.

Minimum Experience/ Training Requirements: Minimum 6-10 years of senior level experience in program development, implementation, and management of health programs is required; management of research or medical programs experience highly desirable.

Physical Capabilities: Incumbent will be expected to relocate to Nairobi, Kenya and travel to Kericho, Kisumu and KDF field sites frequently as well as Bethesda, Maryland (USA) as necessary to perform job duties.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Incumbent will be responsible for the direction of in-country HJFMRI employees in the three combined Kenya PEPFAR programs under MHRP and work under the direct supervision of the Director of Global Health Programs in the US as well as in conjunction and oversight from the MRD-A/Kenya-K Director.

Work Environment: May require working evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, addresses, education, and credentials, a criminal background check, drug screening, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check.

HJF is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.