National Program Manager for Health & Nutrition 143 views6 applications

Role & Responsibilities

Develop, lead, monitor and evaluate the assigned health and nutrition projects. This involves effectively managing and reporting on the projects in line with the objectives, time frame and budget with a focus on health/nutrition system strengthening, training and coordination. Providing technical support, leadership and strategic direction, other important aspects of the role include managing and training health/nutrition staff to meet quality standards in health and nutrition delivery, encouraging beneficiary participation, liaising with other stakeholders, managing and training health/nutrition staff, and anticipating, planning, and contributing to the development of new health/nutrition project proposals and reports.

Key Activity Areas

• Manage the health & nutrition project(s) to meet the project objectives within budget and within the time frame and report any operational concerns to line manager.
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned health and nutrition project(s), working to ensure both short and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local ministries and authorities.
• Contribute to development a health & nutrition strategy including proactive planning for responsible exit in consultation with Country Director, other health/nutrition staff and local authorities.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for health and nutrition activities with health and nutrition staff, field managers and, where appropriate, with the local communities.
• Continuously monitor and supervise health and nutrition activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the health/nutrition team in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in the projects.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities according to Helen Keller Intl, donor and time frames and formats.
• Develop new proposals, linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Helen Keller Intl country strategy.
• Support the provinces in assessing the needs of personnel, logistics and consumables for micro planification.
• Collaborate with M&E specialists to analyze, interpret and present program data in useful formats and disseminate the results to relevant stakeholders to promote timely decision-making.
• Collaborate with M&E experts to document success stories, lessons learned and project achievements.
• Work with consultants and MoH to carry out Post Coverage Studies, Formative Surveys, Baseline Studies, among others, analyze results and share findings with relevant stakeholders for decision making and course correction.
• Facilitate program planning and review meetings. Coordinate with the GoM Nutrition Focal Points to strengthen technical reporting in line with the defined reporting schedule and program indicators.
• Track program progress using mutually agreed indicators and targets and recommend corrective actions to keep projects on track.
• Ensure, in collaboration with the Finance department, regular budget tracking, monitoring and reporting to avoid underspending and/or overspending.
• Develop TORs for consultant engagements and other relevant Health and Nutrition positions.

Staff Management

• Line-manage the Health/Nutrition Manager(s) including day-to-day management, trainings, and appraisals.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching supervision to staff to develop ownership & responsibility for health/nutrition activities.
• Assess the training needs of health/nutrition staff and ensure that appropriate training is conducted.

Financial Management

• Manage the health and nutrition project budget for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Helen Keller Intl standards with regard to financial management.

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain regular and supportive communication structures with the assigned health/nutrition team and Helen Keller Intl in-country team, and other stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), to ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in health/nutrition coordination meetings, Helen Keller Intl internal trainings, and other working groups or meetings, representing Helen Keller Intl and feeding back to the health/nutrition staff and field managers.

Logistics

• Support the logistics activities of project staff.
• Liaise, as necessary, with the health and nutrition, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are managed and accounted for correctly.

Quality Management

• Ensure projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Helen Keller Intl, country and international standards.

Team Spirit

• Reflect the values of Helen Keller Intl with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Higher level qualification, preferably in health/nutrition or in another relevant field such as nursing/midwifery/doctor/community-based training. Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience/Competencies

• 5 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field. Management experience in a nutrition/health context.
• Ability to manage project implementation. Good numerical, report writing and administration skills. Knowledge and experience of nutrition/primary health care principles and management.
• Able to prioritize clearly and oversee multiple tasks. Able to take the initiative in project decisions. Able to enforce procedures. Able to set clear objectives for staff and delegate.