Jobs at Abt Associates

The Opportunity

• Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA) is a Global Development Alliance implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with USAID’s Power Africa with a goal to electrify 10,000 health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. HETA takes a market-based approach to expanding access to reliable energy, leveraging other donor funding and private investment capital, and building public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability.
• In Kenya and Uganda, HETA is working with partners to improve sustainable energy access and digital connectivity at public and private health facilities. You will lead the implementation of HETA work in both countries. Working under the direction of the HETA Deputy Director and Director, you will directly perform a variety of technical and program management functions to facilitate project implementation and manage the day-to-day relationships with key partners to oversee progress toward these targets.
• You will bring strong project management skills, expertise in the renewable energy space, and familiarity with engineering requirements and business models to support the successful implementation of efforts to energy access, productive uses of electricity, electrification of health facilities and ensure their sustained long-term operations and maintenance.
• It is anticipated that this position will be based in Kenya, with the portfolio of responsibilities covering interventions in both Kenya and Uganda.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day implementation of work plan activities in Kenya and Uganda, ensuring the achievement of all project deliverables and targets in a timely manner.
• Oversee work of HETA partners directly working to electrify health facilities to assure technical quality of their work.
• Create and manage strong partnerships with HETA partners working in the energy and health sectors to facilitate timely implementation of project activities.
• Provide management support (programmatic, financial, and administrative) for the project, ensuring full alignment with national and international standards.
• Identify obstacles and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and implement strategies to overcome them.
• Prepare and consolidate information for client and internal reports and conduct preliminary reviews.
• Implement the learning agenda for the project, use lessons learned to modify project approaches and strategies, and disseminate findings, alongside COP.
• Manage HETA activities including planning and review meetings, field visits, etc.
• Liaise with stakeholders to identify and define needs, potential interventions, and resources.
• Engage HETA project grantees to verify activities outputs and achieved results.
• Ensure communication with other Abt and USAID-funded health projects.
• Maintain the Kenya and Uganda Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plans updating achieved results on key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities to develop and expand HETA’s business development in Kenya and Uganda.
• Effectively represent Abt Associates and the project and build and maintain excellent, productive relationships with government counterparts, private sector partners, relevant civil society organizations and donor agencies and serve as a leader in the energy and health community.
• Uphold the standards of Abt Associates to lead a high performing team; ensure strict compliance to USAID and Abt’s policies, regulations, and internal controls

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + 9 years of relevant experience, master’s degree + 7 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. + 4 years of relevant experience.
• An advanced degree in in health, economics, energy/environmental policy, engineering, Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor, or a related field.
• Experience in managing international development health and/or energy access/electrification projects as a manager; field-based experience with USAID projects preferred.
• Experience of working in Kenya and Uganda and managing donor-funded projects in developing countries.
• Experience in providing long or short-term in-country technical assistance to developing and/or emergent nations desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including national governments, regulators, utilities, financial institutions, project developers, donor community, and private sector.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage high-level relationships and supervise early career staff.
• Based in Kenya and understanding of challenges in the health sector and managing donor-funded projects in developing countries.
• Fluency in English required.

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• The COP will demonstrate effective leadership as they manage and implement the project throughout its life cycle. They will ensure the project meets the stated goals and reporting requirements, while complying with all USAID rules and regulations. We are looking for individuals who are committed to exceeding expectations and who strive to improve the lives of people worldwide.

This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.
Core Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality leadership and technical direction to the project, ensuring strategic and efficient implementation.
• Serve as the project’s key liaison with USAID/Kenya, government counterparts, and local partners/stakeholders. Establish and maintain collaborative communication channels with various stakeholders.
• Oversee project management, data quality compliance, and development of monitoring systems.
• Ensure the project's alignment with national priorities and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Supervise the project’s technical assistance team to ensure a focus on core results, achievements of annual work plan and targets, and timely/effective implementation.
• Collaboratively create and implement a strategic, long-term programmatic vision;
• Monitor the progress and pace of project implementation including budget, assuring that the full potential of the program is realized through the promotion of high quality work and internal control; Ensure timely and high-quality submission of work plans, reports, and other deliverables.
• Monitor and ensure program compliance with USAID rules and regulations
• Manage communication with Abt Home Office team and ensure program is implemented in accordance with Abt policies and procedures

What We Value

• Master’s Degree (minimum) or Doctorate in public health, medicine, health policy, international development or another relevant field;
• At least 12 years of experience implementing USAID donor funded projects with at least 5 of those years in a senior manager role
• Proven experience in relevant fields such as health information systems, digital health strategy, and eHealth architecture.
• Experience engaging with and building partnerships with the private sector to build health information infrastructure highly preferred;
• Demonstrated leadership skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, in English.
• Experience working in the project's specific region or country, with a deep understanding of local contexts and systems.
• USAID Chief of Party experience highly preferred;