Program Director at Pathfinder International

Job Purpose:

• The Program Director will play a pivotal role in leading, coordinating, and implementing a comprehensive initiative to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in Kenya. This program aims to strengthen the health system, improve access to emergency transportation services, and enhance the referral and linkage mechanisms for maternal and neonatal care across all counties. The Program Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program, from strategic planning to execution and monitoring, and will work closely with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare facilities, and community partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to the program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Develop and execute a comprehensive project strategy.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong partnerships with national and county government leadership and agencies, healthcare providers, and the community to foster collaboration and support for program initiatives.
• Project Planning and Execution: Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets. Oversee the implementation of all program activities, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track program progress and outcomes. Use data-driven insights to refine program strategies and address challenges.
• Capacity Building: Lead capacity-building efforts for healthcare providers and transportation system personnel to ensure the effective delivery of maternal and neonatal care services.
• Advocacy and Policy Influence: Engage in advocacy efforts to influence policy changes that support maternal and neonatal health, emergency transportation, and health system improvement.
• Resource Mobilization: Identify and pursue funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to sustain and expand the program's impact and engage the relevant bodies to ensure continuity of interventions beyond project life.
• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare regular progress reports for donors, stakeholders, and the organization's management, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure the highest standards of care are maintained throughout the program, with a focus on patient safety and the delivery of evidence-based practices.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Proven experience in project management for diverse donors: USG, Foundations, faith-based funders etc), particularly in maternal and neonatal health initiatives. Experience in Health System Strengthening/capacity building at the county level is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of the Kenyan healthcare system, maternal and neonatal care protocols, and emergency transportation services.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and partnership-building skills in the public & private sector at national and county levels.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Exceptional communication skills (spoken and written in both English & Kiswahili), advocacy, and negotiation skills.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization or a similar capacity is a plus.
• Willingness to travel extensively for the satisfactory discharge of duties.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies

• Software Applications: Foundational knowledge of MS Word and Outlook.
• Languages: Advanced writing and speaking skills using local language and English language
• Communication: Foundational oral and written communication skills using different forms of media.
• Project Planning and Management: Foundational skills in project planning, coordination, monitoring, and management.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Foundational knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices, and services, including program strategies and indicators.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, and child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices
• Influencing and Customer Service Skills: Ability to influence and apply diplomacy skills. Advanced customer service skills.
• Organization, Planning, and Multi-tasking: Foundational organizational and planning skills, project planning, and management skills. Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and multi-task with minimal supervision.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detail-oriented, ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment, ability to meet commitments in a timely manner.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization

Required Education, Training and Experience:

• A Master's degree in Public Health, Healthcare Management, MMED (Obsgyne), Social Science, or a degree in a health-related field or equivalent