Deputy Chief of Party

Nigeria Indigenous Capacity Building Project (NICAB)

POSITION: Deputy Chief of Party
REPORTS TO: Chief of Party, NICAB
Country Lead for Nigeria, Management Sciences for Health
LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Working from more than 30 country offices and our Arlington, Virginia, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, home offices, our staff from 65 nations is highly regarded for its technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting difference in health. We live our mission to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

MSH seeks Deputy Chief of Party candidates with experience in the management of HIV/AIDS programs, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, organizational development, and grants/contracts management. The ideal candidate will possess experience managing USAID or USG funded programs and ensures that all program activities adhere to USG rules and regulations.

Please note that this position is contingent upon funding.

BACKGROUND
The current phase of the 3.5-year Nigeria Indigenous Capacity Building (NICAB) project is being implemented by the Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN) in partnership with Management Sciences for Health (MSH). The key elements of the NICAB project include strengthening indigenous NGOs’ ability to respond to HIV/AIDS in their communities, delivery of quality HIV/AIDS services; and integration of TB and HIV diagnosis and treatment.

During the one year extension of NICAB, the project will continue developing the capacity of CHAN, its member institutions, and partner organizations, while building on current achievements. The project will extend its capacity building efforts to engage national church organizations that govern health institutions supported by NICAB. To ensure a continued delivery of comprehensive quality HIV/AIDS services, the project will develop and implement approaches aimed at achieving financial and institutional sustainability of member institutions. In addition, NICAB will develop and institutionalize quality improvement systems and integrate TB/HIV/AIDS services into primary health care structures. Other key components of the project include community mobilization and developing/strengthening of partnerships with the government and private sector.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Deputy Chief of Party will work closely with the Chief of Party and MSH home office to ensure achievement of intended project results in the following areas:

1. Project Management
2. Monitoring and evaluation
3. Representation of MSH within NICAB Project
4. Supervision

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

Technical Management
1. Ensure timely identification of needs for technical assistance and coordinate with the home office of MSH to address these needs
2. In coordination with COP, monitor progress made in technical areas, based on the reported results. Support the COP in the development of strategies and interventions to address the gaps in project performance.
3. Oversee/lead project implementation and achievement of project targets by staff working in the project sites.
4. Support COP in developing models of integrated primary care delivery at CHAN’s health centers, developing strategies focused on sustainability of PHC facilities supported by NICAB and extending capacity building efforts to selected denominational networks.
5. Coordinate with the COP and grants management team on programmatic aspects of grants management component. Work closely with the grants management staff to document the process by which NGOs are selected for awards. Assist technical staff in formulating and negotiating specifications, objectives, targets, and scopes of work for grantees, as well as reviewing progress toward achievement of these targets.

Operations Management
1. Advise the COP and CHAN HQ in ensuring adherence to and fulfillment of programmatic activities within budgetary guidelines and in compliance with project award requirement.
2. Work with the COP and CHAN Management to strengthen, reinforce and transfer capacity to effectively manage USG funding and HIV/AIDS projects.
3. Provide guidance support and direction to the project team on administrative matters within respective scope of managerial responsibilities.
4. Assist the COP in responding to changes in the environment, and making decisions on reallocation of program resources, adjusting functional and reporting relationships as appropriate. Play a key role in designing activities, monitoring progress, reporting, and project work planning.
5. Ensure that project reports are completed and submitted on time and with high quality. Oversee the documentation of the results, lessons learned, and success stories from this project and the dissemination of this information.
6. In coordination with MSH Home Office and MSH’s Senior Contract Officer, provide guidance to project staff on contractual issues and regulations.

Monitoring and Evaluation
1. Oversee development of a project monitoring and evaluation plan and guide the implementation of that plan.
2. Support the COP in enhancing functional links and integration between M&E and other components of the program. Facilitate regular review of data with the NICAB team to ensure reporting, data management, analysis of progress, and accountability of project team members for the achievement of results within the results framework.
3. Oversee capacity building of CHAN in the M&E area.
4. In collaboration with USAID, partners and key stakeholders (including the MOH), ensure effective evaluation of the progress towards the completion of project deliverables and capturing the respective results in alignment with strategic directions and defined targets.

Representation of MSH within NICAB Project
1. Provide overall leadership of the MSH team and direction of all technical and administrative operations under MSH’s contract to CHAN.
2. Ensure the high quality, within-budget, and on-time delivery of inputs, and interim and final results required by MSH’s subcontract with CHAN, and the overall contract with the donor.
3. Maintain positive and effective working relationships with CHAN and ensure that the project receives the full benefit from the technical assistance provided by MSH
4. Identify, assess, and communicate to headquarters a range of in-country funding opportunities for expanding existing or bidding on new work that matches MSH capability with in-country need, and/or that supports the establishment of MSH in-country offices and programs.
5. Create favorable circumstances for new and current donors to be interested in MSH.
6. Identify potential candidates for future work with MSH.
7. Participate in senior management team meetings of Nigeria and contribute to the Integrated Country Strategy development and implementation.

Supervision
1. Supervise direct reports with particular focus on their key tasks and project deliverables. Supervisory responsibilities include, but are not limited to, meeting with supervisees on a regular basis to discuss issues, track work progress, provide guidance and support, and ensure consistent quality of work performed; conducting performance planning and reviews; communicating, implementing and assuring adherence to MSH and project policies, guidelines and values; developing staff skills and knowledge; approving time sheets; and facilitating supervisee success whenever possible.
2. Ensure existence across the Project of adequate supervisor-employee relationships which support professional development and mentoring, and address problems in a timely manner.
3. Manage and supervise Project Staff in the identification of all technical assistance needs required to achieve intended outputs of the contract, develop suitable scopes of work, recruit consultants, and execute technical assistance contracts. Supervise the work and assess the performance of all long-term and short-term advisors and consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS
1. Master’s degree in public health, public administration, management, or equivalent relevant experience required.
2. Experience in HIV/AIDS project management, capacity building, organizational development, monitoring and evaluation, and grants/contracts management
3. Demonstrated skills, abilities, and experiences to:
a. Lead and manage a program of similar magnitude and complexity.
b. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
c. Develop and maintain working relationships with US and foreign governments, development partners, and civil society.
4. Previous experience in Nigeria or similarly challenging environment in Africa is preferable.
5. Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
6. Familiarity with and understanding of USAID regulations and administrative procedures preferred.
7. Experience in grants management preferred.
8. Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated by ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients and consultants.
9. Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills; demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail.
10. Expert skills in Excel Spreadsheets, as well as Word; comfortable in a Windows PC environment.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.