Country Director, Zambia

The Country Director will provide vision, leadership and direction to ensure portfolio growth and the strategic, programmatic, technical, and financial integrity of Jhpiego’s programs. This includes guiding the strategic plan, partner development, sourcing new funding opportunities as well as design and implementation of country programs, achievement of planned results. The Country Director will work closely with the Ministry of Health and other Government of Zambia departments to streamline efforts and ensure complementarity of projects and will serve as the primary point of contact for donors, stakeholders and international and local partners. The Country Director will be responsible for overseeing the design of new projects, timely and cost-effective project implementation, compliance with laws of Zambia, adherence to donor requirements, Jhpiego policies and procedures and program & technical standards of the organization.  

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure programmatic and financial integrity of Jhpiego’s efforts in country 
• Develop and revise, or update as needed, the Country Strategy 
• Develop and maintain outstanding working relationships with donors and potential donors, MOH, relevant Government departments, county governments, national and international implementing partners, and others who can help in Jhpiego’s efforts to strengthen support to the country
• Ensure that all Jhpiego activities are in line with country priorities, and include substantial engagement of national partners
• Ensure that the Country Office goals are aligned to the Global strategic plan
• Engage regularly and early on with the Hub Director and Sr. Vice President, Global Program and Technical Excellence (GPTE) on issues that could positively or negatively impact country operations.

Strategic, Growth and Partnerships

• Develop and implement a country specific positioning/communication plan in line with global and country strategy
• Proactively identify funding opportunities for Jhpiego Zambia that align with broader country development goals and Jhpiego’s mission.
• Develop and write strategic concept notes based on potential and existing funding opportunities.
• Provide strong representation of Jhpiego at public facing events – including preparing and delivering high quality presentations at national and international fora
• Develop and maintain outstanding working relationships with MOH, relevant Government departments, local governments, national and international implementing partners, and others who can help in Jhpiego’s efforts to strengthen support to the country

Technical and Program Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all projects in country are adhering to technical and programmatic standards
• Mentor/coach Project Directors/Leads to ensure they are delivering quality projects
• Monitor all projects for completion of deliverables on time, scope and budget.
• Work with global GPTE team to assess technical quality of programs
• Alert global GPTE team of any technical or programmatic issues

Financial and Management Compliance

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure programmatic and financial integrity of Jhpiego’s efforts in country in line with Jhpiego policies and SOPs, and donor and national requirements.
• Serve as bank signatory and review and close the financial accounting system monthly
• Review and conduct annual assessment of program and finance standards and implement action plans
• Ensure projects conduct programmatic and financial reviews at least monthly
• Respond to all requests from compliance team and alert them as soon as possible to any potential incident

Human Resource Management

• Oversee HR responsibilities in country ensuring adherence/compliance to Jhpiego Jhpiego policies and SOPs, and donor requirements, and national laws.
• Work with regional HR liaisons to recruit staff as needed and on any potential HR related issues.
• Provide coaching/mentoring/professional development opportunities for staff.
• Create a team environment where staff can thrive and complete their objectives
• Provide leadership and decision making as needed

Supervision

• Provides coaching, guidance and mentorship to direct report(s) where needed
• Sets targets and objectives for assigned area and delivers results
• Grows team expertise to align with program and organizational direction while continually looking for ways to provide / enhance the value delivered
• Tracks, monitors and effectively addresses and / or rewards performance of team members
• Manages employees in compliance with all HR policies, procedures, guidelines
• Shares knowledge, information, skills and subject matter expertise among the team and ensures the timely communication of issues while encouraging good working relationships with other functions / teams
• Recruits for all hires to ensure a highly diverse, qualified workforce with the necessary capabilities needed to achieve goals

• Advanced degree in public health, health administration, public administration, business administration or related degree 

• 15+ years of progressively responsible international public health management experience including design, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and financial management (5+ years’ experience must have been as Project Director, DCOP, COP, or Country Director) 

• Project management:  Demonstrated ability to manage donor funded public health projects and budgets on time and scope. Experience developing successful, replicable and sustainable projects in Zambia
• HR: Proven track record in successfully managing recruitment, professional development, and managing HR issues.
• Coaching/mentoring skills: Technical skills to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in program and technical staff
• Compliance: Understanding of different donor’s regulations and reporting requirements, knowledge of local laws related to HR and finance, and experience ensuring a compliant workplace and how to deal with incidents.
• Technical knowledge: in two or more of Jhpiego’s core competencies
• Fundraising: Proven ability to develop and implement a positioning plan with multiple donors, source opportunities, lead proposal development, secure new funding awards
• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop a country strategy with objectives and key results, and engage the country team to implement and monitor the strategy effectively.
• Problem solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to work in a complex environment charged with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform
• Partnerships: Experience working within the Zambia health system and the devolved system of government. Demonstrated ability to build capacity and collaboration between governmental and non-governmental partners and other project implementers and with donors.
• Communications: Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence. Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills - strong oral, written communication, and presentations skills as evidenced by publications. Fluent in written and spoken English. Ability to prepare and deliver high level presentations and reports
• Team leader: Proven experience in leading highly skilled and qualified staff (evidence of leading a technical and program team of more than 50 staff), including administrative and finance personnel and fostering a team environment where personnel thrive.  

• Ability to travel locally and internationally for up to 30% – valid passport

• Clinical degree