Director, Program Operations

Jhpiego seeks a Director of Program Operations to provide vision, leadership and direction to ensure the operational and programmatic integrity for an upcoming USAID-funded maternal and child health activity in Madagascar.  The goal of the activity is to accelerate sustainable reductions in maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and mortality through increased access and availability of quality primary health care (PHC) services. It will continue building the capacity of Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) actors and other relevant stakeholders at district, facility and community levels to design, develop, manage, deliver, monitor and evaluate health services and programs aligned with the intervention packages in their catchment areas. The project is expected to operate over a five-year period.

The position will operate under the leadership of the Chief of Party (COP) and with the senior management team and will oversee and ensure the operational and programmatic soundness of all project activities. In collaboration with project team and partners, the position will support the design and implementation of programmatic strategies and approaches based on scientific evidence and best practices. This position will supervise the regional coordinators, and the Human Resources team.

This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Malagasy nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Ensure overall responsibility for the operational oversight of activity implementation, and programmatic compliance.
• Provide strategic direction of project activities and establish and implement a system to ensure a robust operational approach to the technical interventions in project activities, and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements.
• Support the COP to ensure the effective and proper management of the activity.
• Ensure effective operationalization of all aspects of implementation of technical activities.
• Provide management leadership to all programmatic operational aspects including human resources; regional coordination and activities; and operational coordination with implementing partners.
• Ensure implementation is in accordance with USG regulations and procedures and the specifications determined in the Cooperative Agreement, including programmatic subcontract implementation.
• Work with local government health institutions/ authorities to strengthen their capacity to implement the operations of health service delivery under their remit.
• Improve capacity of local government health authorities to conduct evidence-based and data-driven analysis of their operations to inform strategic and programmatic direction.
• Work with healthcare providers, local authorities, community members and project team members to identify MNCH and PHC health operational issues that impede access to care and uptake of services, and kickstart solutions to address issues, including developing and testing different innovative models of operations;
• Provide mentoring and capacity building to individuals and to local partners in specific areas of expertise including but not limited to local organization capacity development;
• Provide operational oversight to sub-partners to ensure they are able to deliver on project scope.
• Actively participate in relevant technical advisory/working groups and professional forums representing the activity.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with USAID and Government of Madagascar Ministries, e.g. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and related Ministries; public health partners, member organizations and professional associations (public and private health care providers), and local civil society organizations.
• Identify training and capacity needs for local government and healthcare providers and assist in the design and implementation of measures to address those needs;
• Collaborate with local stakeholders and implementing partners, to ensure that all activities conform to the requirements and regulations;
• Document successes, lessons learned and challenges in implementation as well as reports of project activities and results to the project and donor, including routine quarterly and annual reports and other reporting requirements as requested;
• Supervise human resources and regional staff and manage performance and provide timely feedback;
• Provide operational leadership to the development the project strategic plan, work plan, and project monitoring, in close collaboration with USAID, Government of Madagascar, and partner organizations, and stakeholders to ensure timely implementation and compliance with the requirements and regulations of the award
• Work with finance and project staff to develop and track project budgets.
• Coordinate efforts with the country team lead to ensure alignment with organizational strategy, mission and goals.

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree (PhD, MD) in public health; health systems strengthening; health finance and budgeting; and relevant fields such as development studies, social sciences, management, and relevant fields.
• Minimum nine to  ten years’ progressive experience in a senior role managing large, complex, and integrated programs of similar scope, preferably in MNCH and PHC, local government institutions systems strengthening, developing and capacitating local organizations, and/or other development technical areas in Madagascar.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with government, donors, the private sector, and community organizations to advance health objectives.
• Recent experience working in Madagascar with intimate understanding of local health and government system and gaps and opportunities in the above-mentioned technical areas, and preferably with established relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills, and project management skills.
• Previous experience working on USAID-funded projects, matched with an in-depth knowledge of USAID regulations, compliance and reporting requirements.
• Experience working with sub-/grantees, local and international and knowledge of capacity development approaches for locally-led development
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills and ability to translate data into action, and communicate results to wide ranging audiences.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing project systems and overseeing project start-up and close-out.
• Experience hiring and supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving project needs
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID, host-country counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs and CSOs
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, and coordination
• Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English and French
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity of technical staff
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

EEO is the Law

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