Program Manager (State Team Lead) at Pathfinder International

Job Purpose

• Provides technical leadership in a program area. Collaborates with project team on project activities that have a combined program focus. Collaborates with other members of the project team to ensure that deliverables meet the needs of intended populations. With capacity building and developing as a guiding principle, engages closely with government and/or local NGOs on the design, management and monitoring of all field-based programs. Coordinates with in-country agencies and programs to ensure linkages and to identify opportunities for integration between SRHR and SSCB services and broader health, educational, vocational, and other non-health interventions that meet the needs of intended populations. Assesses technical and training needs, reviews and adapts training materials, and contributes to scaling up successful experiences in implementing best practices in clinical and community settings that lead to increased use of family planning services. Ensures that the project team draws on state-of-the-art knowledge and practices in the areas specific to the program area. Partners with other technical advisors to enable policy, research and programs that benefit women and female children.

Key Performance Areas

Major Activities / Responsibilities

Technical Assistance

• Provides technical assistance to country offices, host country governments, local partners, and other agencies to assess needs and develop SRHR and SSCB standards and guidance, and/or provide SRHR and ISS & CB services that are responsive to the needs of intended populations.

Technical Support for Proposals

• Provides technical support on the development of proposals, including participation in strategizing for technical approach, proposal writing and proposal review.

Strategic Leadership

• Provides strategic technical leadership and expertise to project sites on the implementation of high quality SRHR and SSCB products and services at community levels. Leads in the development of or providing technical assistance in the global and country-specific approaches, tools and materials supporting tailored approaches for intended populations in SRHR and SSCB programs. Builds on existing tools and develops or adapts innovative approaches to ensure the efficiency, acceptability, and impact of SRHR and SSCB products and services

Programming Design and Implementation

• Leads in the design, development, and implementation of innovative, effective, country appropriate programming for SRHR and SSCB to build and develop capacity of intended populations.

Resource Management

• Collaborates with other USAID project teams, WHO and other donors and country-based entities in the development and implementation of SRHR and SSCB services to bring a broad range of resources to meet multiple needs of intended populations.

Quality Assurance

• Works with the technical team to ensure that best practices for services and service integration are well documented, evaluated and poised for scale up. Coaches and builds teams to optimize staff performance programming, target setting and project workplan and scale-up.

Brand Ambassador

• Represents Pathfinder International to external organizations and audiences at professional meetings and conferences as assigned.

Liaison with Key Stakeholders

• Liaises and coordinates with key stakeholders, including USAID/Washington, missions, other donors and USG agencies, and international and local partners such as Bureau for Global Health, World Health Organization, IBP, to play a highly proactive role in repositioning family planning as a preventive health and a socioeconomic development intervention and to share lessons and technical information.

Minimum Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, business, marketing, social science or related discipline.
• Prefer: Master’s degree in related field, such as master’s in public health
• 10 years’ experience in working in international development, preferably in implementing programs in Nigeria.
• 5 years’ international non-profit experience
• Prefer: Experience in project design
• Prefer: Experience living or working in the Northeast part of the country and understanding of program context, field realities, and technical needs.

Competencies/Attributes:

Minimally Required Job-specific Competencies

• Country Specific Public Health System: Advanced knowledge of the countries’ public health systems.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Deep knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR and SSCB. Proven skills in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development and intervention activities, preferably with USAID, WHO, or other donor organizations working in the health sector.
• Program Operations and Development: Mastery of skills in implementing and managing similar program operations in the developing world, including advocacy.
• Proposal Development: Mastery of skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal, resource mobilization, and proven ability to raise substantial research/development funds.
• Leadership: Mastery of skills as a leader in health and health service delivery strengthening in developing countries and proven ability in developing strategic plans.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Deep skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation, and reporting of donor-funded program activities. Operations and Financial Management: Deep knowledge of operations and financial management in developing countries.
• Change Leadership: Ability to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in managing change across a broad group of stakeholders in an inclusive manner.
• Presentation Skills: Proven ability to make presentations on results and products to small and large groups.
• Community Relations: Mastery of skills in facilitating work relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.
• Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Languages: Proven writing and speaking skills using local languages and English language.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrix organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work related matters.