Chief of Party - Kenya Health Systems Strengthening Activity at IMA World Health

Summary of the Position

The Chief of Party (COP) will provide overall vision and leadership to ensure technical and financial integrity of the project. S/he will serve as the primary point of technical contact with USAID and the Government of Kenya and will design and oversee the annual phasing in of activities within the workplan. The COP supervises the day-to-day work of staff, oversees project implementation to ensure quality of health system programming, and contributes to regional corporate strategies. The COP also ensures that all management systems, from technical to M&E to finance, actively support timely and accurate project reporting and cost effectiveness for successful implementation of the project. The competencies required to be successful in this position include a theoretical and practical understanding of global health practice areas; personnel and project management skills; the ability to lead or contribute to the technical approach on new business; the ability to motivate and lead teams; and the demonstrated ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and accountability for achieving results.

The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will report to the Senior Regional Director for Central, East, and Southern Africa.

Actual hiring is contingent upon successful activity award and USAID approval.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall program and technical leadership and supervision of all project activities, including sub-awardees and project personnel
• Lead all project planning responsibilities, including the production of annual workplans and budgets and performance monitoring plan, ensuring alignment of the budget to expected results and ensuring cost-effective use of resources
• Serve as the primary point of contact with USAID, project partners, and key stakeholders
• Oversee responses to donor reporting, including periodic technical and financial reports specified in the award
• Liaise with relevant county Ministry of Health counterparts and key stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with USAID award and IMA World Health headquarters requirements, policies, and regulations
• As relevant, manage all local grantmaking mechanisms, ensuring compliance with USAID regulations and IMA policies; coordinate and/or conduct monitoring visits to grantee programs
• Ensure the development and implementation of key project deliverables, including the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan
• Monitor staff performance and provide capacity strengthening support when needed
• Ensure visibility of project results, achievements, and lessons learned through presentations at conferences and workshops and/or by publishing articles through professional journals
• Recruit and directly supervise local project staff in line with IMA World Health human resources policies; oversee the management and development of project office human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce; an effective leadership team; and an organizational culture where IMA's values are practiced
• Manage funds and subawards; closely monitor project expenditures
• Together with field and project staff, prepare annual budgets; ensure and supervise regular financial reporting; keep USAID apprised of significant variances
• Ensure project expenses are reasonable, allocable, prudent, and spent in accordance with USAID rules and regulations; support annual audit procedure
• Oversee property and equipment acquisition, disposition, and management

Qualifications:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or equivalent, and/or advanced degree in public health
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience managing and implementing donor-funded health projects, with a strong preference for experience and familiarity with USAID programming and priorities
• At least five years of previous experience managing an international development team as either a Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party preferred
• Experience overseeing sub-awardees to achieve project results
• Familiarity with and expertise in overseeing financial and contractual management aspects of project management
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills in institutional strengthening, health systems strengthening, health service delivery, and linkages between communities and health facilities
• Proven ability to forge strong professional relationships and facilitate coordination with donors, implementing partners, county governments, health facilities, and communities in the public and private sectors
• Experience in capacity building and working with the public and private health sectors, especially with county governments
• Demonstrated experience leading teams to achieve successful project implementation, financial management, and reporting
• Experience overseeing development and implementation of M&E and knowledge management strategies relevant to international public health projects
• Excellent team management, interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills
• Advanced cross-cultural sensitivity, including experience working and communicating with professional and support staff in a multicultural, multi-linguistic environment; ability to promote an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Nationals of Kenya are strongly encouraged to apply.