Health Program Manager- Dessie

Location: Dessie, Ethiopia

Organization: Save the Children International

Job Description

External Vacancy Advertisement

Position: Immunization Project Manager (1)

Duty Station: Dessie, Amhara Region

Duration: One year and have possibility of extension

ROLE PURPOSE:  

The Project Manager is responsible for managing the implementation of the different Immunization/child health Projects in SC, which includes facilitation of agreement with regional government, development of detailed project implementation plan, development of phased budget, follow up of project activities and budget implementation, results-based monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance, under supervision. The project manager with work closely with RHB EPI and EPSA, team to improve immunization service delivery in the region. The Project Manager is responsible for budget management of the immunization/ child health projects for which he/she is designated as budget holder. S/he is responsible for building the capacity of HWs/HEWs to deliver quality immunization/child health service and improve documentation for immunization/child health program to ensure evidence-based decision making.

S/he is also responsible for project staff management including development of performance objective, continuous follow-up, capacity building and support, of project staff, and conduct performance appraisal. The Project Manager will also provide technical guidance and capacity building support to field staff, RHB, Woreda Health Offices at the project implementation woredas. S/he will be responsible to document implementation lessons and best practices so as to improve project implementation as well as inform new business development. The project manager will coordinate and facilitate advocacy platforms to improve resource allocation for immunization program, improve commitment of decision makers, strengthen coordination mechanism and to ensure delivery of equitable service throughout the project areas and the region. The Immunization Project Manager must have breadth of expertise in immunization, child health and health system strengthening.

Activity Overview

Immunization is one of the key life-saving interventions the government of Ethiopia has scaled up to address under five mortality. There are noteworthy successes through EPI. Ethiopia is certified for polio free since 2017 and maternal and neonatal tetanus are eliminated. Coverage from successive Ethiopian Demography and Health Survey revealed a positive rise in the coverage of vaccine antigens. The magnitude and trends of vaccination inequalities in Ethiopia persists by equity markers despite steady improvement in overall coverage. The major variation in coverage is geographic where there is high variation in coverage among different regions in the country.

For over two decades, Save the Children has been supporting immunization program in Ethiopia to contribute for the reduction of child mortality from vaccine preventable diseases. Through the different projects that have been implemented over the years, Save the Children supported expansion of access for immunization services, supported demand generation for immunization in the community and has supported an enabling environment for equitable service delivery and improved financing for immunization.

Currently, Save the Children is implementing immunization projects in different parts of Ethiopia that supports equitable and sustainable access to life-saving immunization and essential healthcare by focusing on zero-dose and under immunized children. These projects are funded by different donors and implemented in different geographic areas.

Through its pneumonia centenary commitment (PCC), Save the Children supports the Government effort to address Pneumonia, one of the leading causes of child mortality. These Projects are expected to ensure equitable and sustainable access to life-saving immunization and essential healthcare, working together with local communities and partners.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Project management 

• In collaboration with CO Immunization Team, develop project detail work plan, for the project and ensure documentation updating and tracking of implementation using different tools including PRIME.
• Ensure procurements specified in the project documents are planned, requested, purchased and delivered on a timely manner
• Develop monthly plan with project team and conduct regular meetings to review progress
• Provide monthly update on project progress and flag any concerns in a timely manner for FOM
• Manage all activities, resources and assets for the projects under supervision
• Identify critical issues in the implementation of projects and take the necessary actions to address problems and constraints
• Support the FOM in the drafting of an MOU with the relevant regional partners, follows up on the review and revision processes, as well as finalization and signing.
• Closely work with Zonal and Woreda Health Offices for the smooth implementation of the project and for ensuring project sustainability
• Leads project activity and budget revisions, prepares justification for request of amendments in keeping with donor regulations and procedures, closely working with the relevant award team to ensure timely action
• Prepare periodic reports on the implementation of project activities as per the requirements of SCI, regional MOUs and specific project donor
• Closely work with the CO Immunization team to assure implementation quality
• In collaboration and consultation with communication, Sr. SBC Specialist, Gender Specialist at CO, and other health team, develop communication strategies and tools to reach target communities and improve demand for immunization
• Develop project briefs, which document the project learnings and results
• Ensure that strategies for phasing out are taken care of during implementation; and project close outs are properly planned and executed starting the beginning of the project

Budget management

• Prepare phased budget based on approved Detailed Implementation Plan (DIPs)
• Manage budgets, including weekly forecast and review of budget spending and variance analysis, identification of wrong charges and required actions to address/ correct them
• Ensure effective and efficient utilization of project budget and other resources for intended purpose; follow up on budget utilization and project expenditure
• Prepare/Review and submit for FOM timely donor reports, including development/review and verification of both narrative and financial reports and confirmation of accuracy and consistency between narrative and financial reports.
• Closely work with the Awards Team to efficiently monitor and track burn rates, reporting and financial compliance issues

Staff Management

• Develop performance objectives and development plan for all project staff under supervision
• Establish a system for, communication, follow up, ensuring regular reporting and development of project staff
• Ensure that all project staff understood their responsibilities and how their contribution feeds into the overall project objective
• Organize regular review meetings to review progress, identify issues and solve them
• Conduct performance reviews, and appraisals on a timely basis

Capacity Building 

• Identify and recommend possible supports to immunization staff and project teams to build their capacity and to facilitate project implementation.
• Support capacity strengthening interventions for woreda health office staff, HWs and HEWs including through training (IIP, Vaccine and Cold Chain Training, MLM, IMNCI, ICMNCI)

Monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance

In collaboration and coordination with Immunization MEAL team at CO, and PDQ health and nutrition team facilitate/conduct baseline/LQAS and endline assessments, to have a project baseline, to assess project.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Foster collaboration with local government, community organizations, and non-health sectors to create an enabling environment for immunization.
• Represent the Immunization Projects in different regional/zonal, or woreda level platforms and share key takeaways with supervisor and CO Immunization team
• In collaboration with Sr Advocacy Specialist and Sr SBC Specialist at the CO, organize and lead advocacy meetings with government officials to influence political commitment, immunization coordination mechanism, and resource allocation for immunization programs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• BSc degree in public health, nursing or related fields
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in an NGO environment of which a minimum of 3 years managing community based health projects, focusing on immunization
• Trainings on Immunization in Practice (IIP), Immunization Cold chain users, IMNCI, ICMNCI and Immunization MLM trainings will be an asset
• Solid understanding of the Ethiopian health policy and strategies, as well as the health sector transformation plan and the health extension platform
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health at national or sub-national levels
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Experience of managing and shaping programmes to deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness, and of strengthening implementation of financial control processes
• Solid budgeting skills and knowledge of key donor regulations
• knowledge of local language is desired
• Commitment to Save the Children values

LANGUAGE:

• Fluency in Local Language, Amharic, and English, both written and spoken.

OTHER SKILLS:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and under pressure.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Commitment to Save the Children’s mission and values.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to work in challenging environments and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Strong commitment to promoting accountability and learning.

COMPETENCIES  

• SC Values are Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity. To meet the value system, the post holder is expected to demonstrate the following competencies on an ongoing basis.
• Leading Delivering result: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving our own performance or that of the team/organization.
• Thinking applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practices within and outside the organization.
• Engaging
• Working effectively with others: Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.
• Communicating with Impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.

 

We offer a competitive package in the context of the sector. The duty station of the position holder will be in Dessie for 12 months. This role is offered based on national terms and conditions only.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises or those who need better healthcare, education, and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the rights of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday.
• All children learn from a quality basic education.
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated.

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application and include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl  for External.

https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/in/jobsearch.ftl  for Internal.

 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY>>>