Program Manager

Program Manager

• Required no: One
• Location: Addis Ababa
• Reports to: Country Director
• Travel: Up to 70% travel to program sites
• Job Type: Full Time

Organization Background

Since 1997, Willows International (WI) has developed and implemented the Willows Box System, a client management approach that strengthens community-level health services and improves access to tailored reproductive health information, referrals, and follow-up. Over the past three decades, WI has supported more than three million women and their partners to make informed reproductive health and family planning decisions.

In Ethiopia, WI is working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Health Extension Worker (HEW) program in Oromia, Amhara, and Sidama regions. The project focuses on improving client management systems, enhancing HEW effectiveness, and institutionalizing the Willows Box System to deliver personalized services, improve follow-up, and strengthen referral linkages—ultimately aiming to improve FP/SRHR outcomes.

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for leading the implementation, coordination, and performance management of Willows International Ethiopia’s program. The PM ensures high-quality execution of the Willows Box System (WBS), effective coordination with government stakeholders, and achievement of program targets.

Working under the direction of the Country Director, the PM oversees program planning and implementation, lead project initiatives- delivery, capacity building, supportive supervision systems-, and ensures that implementation is aligned with approved work plans and performance indicators.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Implementation and Coordination

• Lead execution of program work plans across all implementation areas
• Coordinate activities with MoH, Regional Health Bureaus, and Woreda Health Offices
• Support the management of budget through regular Budget-Variance-Analysis (BVA) and ensure timely actions taken based on the findings.
• Conduct regular risk assessment and design mitigation strategies for program implementation.
• Liaison with the operation team to ensure seamless implementation of program activities.
• Support program compliance with WI’s standards and national policy framework.
• Ensure timely delivery of all program milestones and targets

WBS Implementation and System Strengthening

• Lead rollout and scale-up of the Willows Box System (WBS)
• Support adaptation and contextualization of tools and materials
• Ensure effective utilization of WBS by Health Extension Workers (HEWs)
• Regularly capture evidences in the implementation of WBS-lessons learned and best practices.

Capacity Building and Training

• Support the identification of potential master trainees for the WBS training.
• Support the development of training plan outlining the timing and modalities for the cascade training on WBS.
• Oversee training cascade for master trainers, supervisors, and HEWs
• Develop relevant tools for monitoring the quality and effectiveness of the WBS training-of-trainers and basic trainings on WBS.
• Ensure quality and effectiveness of training programs
• Develop a system to track the effectiveness of training through post-training follow-up mechanisms.
• In collaboration with the team, regularly identify training gaps, conduct training need assessment and coordinate refresher sessions, as deemed necessary.
• Assess the alternative modalities of delivering the WBS training.
• Advice the need for revision and/or adaptation of WBS training material based on the need and context of the program evolution.

Supportive Supervision and Performance Management

• Lead implementation of supportive supervision systems
• Ensure regular supervision of HEWs using standardized tools
• Facilitate performance review meetings and follow-up actions

Program Performance and Results

• Ensure achievement of key program indicators including:
• HEW competency and performance
• Service delivery improvements
• FP/RH outcome targets (mCPR, LAPM, referrals, etc.)
• Identify implementation challenges and take course corrections on time.

Digital WBS Implementation

• Support rollout and adoption of digital WBS tools
• Ensure effective use of digital platforms by field teams
• Provide feedback for system improvements

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with MEL manager to ensure alignment with MEL systems
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of program activities
• Use data to inform decision-making and improve implementation
• Support the identification of best practices and lessons learned in the due course of project implementation.
• Take part in the organization of visits (donor and government officials) to the supported Woredas/ Health facilities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify relevant stakeholders in the health system and strategize focus areas of engagement.
• Represent Willows in relevant technical meetings and coordination platforms
• Maintain strong working relationships with various MoH executive offices including CE and PHC, Digital Health and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Services LEOs.
• Identify and collaborate with partners working on related investments in the health system.
• Support alignment of WI’s initiatives with national priorities and strategic directions.

Team Leadership and Management

• Supervise and support program staff
• Set performance targets and ensure accountability
• Build team capacity in program implementation

Planning and Reporting

• Contribute to development of annual and quarterly plans
• Ensure timely submission of program reports
• Track progress against work plan and KPIs

Position Requirements / Key Competencies

• Master’s degree in Public Health or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in health program management preferably experience in health extension program
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian health system particularly health extension program and reproductive health program.
• Conversant with national guidelines and strategies in the health system.
• Strong leadership and coordination skills with demonstrated experience of managing multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience managing large-scale donor funded FP/SRHR programs
• Ability to analysis and apply data to inform decision making and drive program improvement
• Familiarity with national HIS-eCHIS.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under pressure

Required Skills

• Strong leadership and team management
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Communication and coordination
• Results-oriented approach
• Adaptability and flexibility