University of Washington: COUNTRY DIRECTOR – Cote d’Ivoire 721 views0 applications

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The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a center in the University of Washington’s Department of Global Health that works in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco. I-TECH has projects in more than 20 countries, and its worldwide staff work with local ministries of health, universities, non-governmental organizations, medical facilities, and other partners to support efficient, well-ordered health care systems that provide high quality care to all citizens.

There are 147,947 Ivorian adults and children currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 195,755 receiving clinical care in 2015. Health care workers rely on the services provided by the laboratory system to monitor the health of those in their care. Cote d’Ivoire continues to experience challenges with access to quality HIV related testing despite past efforts, continued support is required to coordinate, synergize and scale up approaches that strengthen the national laboratory system. In 2016, I-TECH was awarded a 5-year grant from the US CDC-PEPFAR with a goal to build a functional laboratory network to reach 80% saturation for HIV care and treatment in selected districts by offering quality laboratory services and targeting blood banks to ensure quality of blood and blood products, working towards accreditation of laboratories. Main project activities will be to provide direct technical assistance (TA) to National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), district health teams, and PEPFAR implementing partners (IPs) to implement 6 key activities in PEPFAR-supported laboratories including:

• Strengthen national laboratory policies and increase adherence to national guidelines;
• Develop local capacity in biosafety and biosecurity (B&B);
• Develop skills in laboratory management and strengthen laboratory professions competencies;
• Implement QMS in the entire laboratory network;
• Improve and implement LIS for improved data management and utilization;

Support laboratory-related blood safety interventions and accreditation of 3 laboratories in National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS).

The scope of this work is nationwide, with focus on the 79 districts identified for HIV program scale-up and sustain efforts.

The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) has an outstanding opportunity for a Country Director located in Cote d’Ivoire.

The position of Country Director requires an individual with demonstrated expertise in public health program management and capacity development. The position requires effective communication with both domestic and international staff, the CDC Country Office in Cote d’Ivoire, local Ministry of Health and other governmental bodies, US-based funders and other implementing partners within and beyond Cote d’Ivoire.

The Country Director must provide leadership in developing sustainable programs and cope with rapid changes in both funding and programmatic direction as outlined by the funder, and effectively use available resources to meet those expectations. In addition, the Country Director is required to use sophisticated problem-solving skills and to successfully interface and communicate within the organization, across the I-TECH network, and externally to local stakeholders. This position will take responsibility in fulfilling I-TECH’s scope of work by managing the implementation of I-TECH training, technical, and program activities to ensure that work plans are developed for each activity and deadlines are met.

The I-TECH Country Director, with support from the Seattle Headquarters Senior Program Manager and other HQ staff, is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation and administration of UW project activities in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Country Director role reports to the I-TECH Managing Director in Seattle, and has dual accountability. Programmatically, the Country Director is accountable to the Principle Investigator (PI) whose work they are responsible for carrying out in Cote d’Ivoire .Administratively, the Country Director is accountable to the Managing Director for ensuring work undertaken locally is efficient, effective and compliant with all human resource, legal, and financial policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership: Success is measured by the extent to which the I-TECH Country Director advances the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Examples of activities:
• Connect the work of I-TECH staff at all levels with the overall objectives and impacts of the organization.
• Advance the work of I-TECH to achieve its strategic priorities, which are:

• I-TECH is positioned to contribute to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, specifically the first 90;
• I-TECH supports the national HIV/AIDS Strategic information agenda;
• I-TECH is recognized as a university-based network that provides effective global health programming and technical assistance;
• The I-TECH network is supported by a diversified funding portfolio;
• The I-TECH network strengthens its capacity to serve as an effective global health partner to donors and governments.

• Lead productive working relationships with national government representatives, local and international non-government organizations, and funders, including CDC’s Global AIDS Program in-country staff.
• In collaboration with I-TECH Executive Team, guide country level strategic planning.
• Scan the horizon strategically for opportunities to strengthen the national health system.
• Promote I-TECH’s sustainability through new business development, diversification of I-TECH funding sources, and development of-TECH’s technical expertise. Examples include expanding scope of current programs and adding new programs.
• Participate in the leadership of I-TECH’s network and build “south to south” partnerships within the network.
• As requested, serve as the liaison for university academic work in-country.
• Use and promote I-TECH operating principles in all facets of work.

Program Technical Excellence: Success is measured by the extent to which projects meet I-TECH’s Program Standards and have a positive impact to strengthen national and provincial health systems. The Country Director will oversee senior managers to assure the following activities are accomplished:
• Lead and participate in the development and implementation of critical program activities including strengthening national laboratory policies, advancing POCT/PT testing and certification, advocating implementation of a harmonized approach to QMS, strengthening laboratory information systems, and enhancing blood safety policies and implementation.
• Lead programmatic efforts to improve the quality of laboratory systems in Cote d’Ivoire.
• Build technical expertise in-country responsive to locally-identified needs.
• Establish and uphold high program standards and implement improvements based on assessments.
• Design, implement and evaluate programs to demonstrate impact. Absence of evaluation implies an absence of implementation and impact.
• Communicate outcomes to shape planning and policy.
• Apply the technical and programmatic capacities of the I-TECH network and universities.
• Participate in faculty-level work including supervising student research work and teaching programs.

Program Management: Success is measured by the extent to which the Country Director applies excellent management practices to assure programs are planned and implemented with high quality, on time, and under budget. The Country Director will oversee senior managers to assure the following activities are accomplished:
• Ensure full implementation of awards to the maximal extent possible. This will be evaluated based on the deliverables in the work plan. In the pursuit of this goal the following responsibilities are important to success:

• Provide a high level of technical and administrative expertise to ensure success;
• Seek out the highest and most effective technical standards;
• Maximize the cost effectiveness of all activities.

• Ensure a seamless working relationship between the country program and Headquarters staff, including PIs and Senior Program Manager, and participate in frequent (up to weekly) call with PI, Senior Program Manager and senior staff.
• Create a management and organization structure to assure effective program implementation that incorporates the key management and technical services and technical assistance I-TECH can offer.
• Employ and promote I-TECH management practices using a team-based management approach.
• Plan budgets and workplans for multiple funding sources.
• Assume overall accountability for attainment of program goals, objectives and deliverables.
• Lead the development and implementation of a country program monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Submit regular reports to funders and stakeholders. Respond in a timely manner to ad hoc reporting requests from CDC-Global AIDS Program, UW and other partners.
• Communicate regularly and substantively with I-TECH headquarters on all project activities.

Operations, Fiscal, and Human Resource Management: Success is measured by the extent to which in-country capacity is strong, risk is managed, financial and operational systems and policies are employed, and excellent human resource practices are applied. The Country Director assures the following activities are accomplished:
Operations and Safety
• Oversee development, application and regular updating of written policies and procedures for country office operations. Assure concordance between country project policies and procedures and I-TECH, UW, funder and national government requirements and regulations.
• Oversee all administrative, logistical, security and risk management functions for the country office.
• Ensure that I-TECH meets all requirements to be recognized as a legal entity by the host government.
• Lead the implementation of recommendations from operations assessments.
• Oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of in-country contracts and vendor agreements.
• Oversee the implementation and use of I-TECH’s Global Operations Manual at the country project level, with emphasis on in-country capacity development to attain or surpass standards.
Finance
• Ensure financial systems meet UW requirements.
• Based on delegated authority, provide oversight for all funds spent in-country and assure federal award compliance.
• In collaboration with country office staff, prepare and monitor internal budget reports (e.g. budget projections, burn rates, monthly budget reports by activity code).
• Prepare forecasts, and consider program implications.
Human Resources
• Apply I-TECH, Department of Global Health, and UW principles throughout all aspects of staff oversight. Embody and engender those qualities that support an effective, efficient, inspired workplace.
• Ensure that all contracts and employment packages are fair and consistent with local practice and labor law.
• Hire, coach, evaluate, discipline and/or discharge employees as necessary.
• Identify and lead staff professional development initiatives at the individual and group levels.
• Identify strategies to retain and keep staff motivated in an ever changing funding landscape.

REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s in Public Health, Health Administration or related field; and a minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in complex, multi-faceted public health programs to include at least three years of experience supervising managers, technical experts, and support staff.

Past experience demonstrating:

• Superb knowledge of and practical experience with health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Experience in designing and implementing complex and challenging HIV-related programs;
• Able to provide strong leadership and representation with staff, donors, partners, CDC and Ministry of Health;
• A commitment to scholarly work and generation and dissemination of knowledge;
• Highly skilled program manager;
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methods and health information systems;
• Experience with budget development and management, and monitoring of fiscal systems;
• Working knowledge of US government and other federal awards and contracts systems, to advance project progress and comply with funder directives;
• Employee and partner relations skills, including demonstrated ability to bring together diverse professionals into a functioning, effective work team; fostering tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate communication;
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective collaboration with diverse partners;
• Ability to read and understand technical documents and journals and write letters, administrative, technical reports and scientific papers for publication in English language journals;
• Successful public presentation skills;
• Demonstrated experience working closely with government public health officials and agencies at all levels in a balanced and supportive capacity;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons from a variety of professional disciplines and from different levels of society in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with balance between strategic leadership and attention to detail;
• Computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
• Language requirements – Speaking/Reading/Writing of French and English is required. Preference will be given to candidates with Level IV French and Level IV English – speaking/reading/writing.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE
• MD or Ph.D. with strong public health and administrative skills;
• Five years of project management experience in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Experience in public health program planning and evaluation;
• Willingness to undergo further training and professional development in topic areas relevant to this position.

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The Country Director must be available and willing to travel domestically in remote areas and internationally up to 15%. The position requires participation in conference calls and internet meetings outside of business hours several times per week in order to accommodate the time difference between the country office and HQ.

I-TECH operates within a grant-funded environment. Due to this, the total amount of this position’s FTE may fluctuate based on program funding and needs.
This position is open to both local and international candidates.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
The Department of Global Health recognizes that disparities in health around the globe stem from inequity. The Department encourages and supports the multiple identities of staff, faculty and students including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, culture, spiritual practice, geography, mental and physical disability and age. The Department strives to become a local, national, and international leader in developing and maintaining increased representation and recognition of each of these dimensions of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

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The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or [email protected].