Project Director and State Lead at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Job Description

• The Project Director will provide overall program oversight and will be the focal point for engagement with the funders and representation at the National level.
• He/she will lead the Management Team and oversee the provision of short-term technical assistance to NMEP and SMEPs and other key stakeholders.
• He/She will track and ensure the achievement of targets and compliance with funder’s requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and maintain oversight of program activities in the State including harmonization of malaria control efforts at the state level.
• Be the liaison between the project, SMEP, NMEP, and the donor.
• Develop and implement work plans, ensuring integration of plans and in alignment with best technical strategies.
• Perform oversight with the project team to ensure successful data-driven routine implementation and campaign.
• Ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of the project as appropriate.
• Submit weekly, monthly, quarterly, and end-of-project updates and reports as required.
• Develop and implement work plans, ensuring that plans are integrated into an overall consolidated work plan and projected expenditures.
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the project team, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure the project is efficiently and accurately managed within allowable budget line-item flexibility with full accountability of resources.
• Ensure familiarity and compliance of staff and stakeholders to compliance issues.
• Work with the finance team to monitor expenditure and budget compliance on a regular basis, report any concerns and develop plans to mitigate any under or over-expenditure.
• Closely monitor project budget spending and burn rates.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure timely financial reporting and provision of assistance at audits.
• Work with the HR manager to ensure quality staff and continuous performance improvement throughout the implementation period.
• Manage members of the staff using performance-based management approaches.
• Any other function that the IHVN Executive Management may assign.

Requirements

• Good communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills with proficiency in computer programming – Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation skills and video conferencing are required.
• Proficiency in data analysis and utilization.
• Proficiency in program narrative and proposal writing.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet organizational targets/goals.
• Ability to evaluate data and prepare quality reports, often under pressure and in complex situations.
• Being goal oriented with the ability to plan and organize, make decisions, manage time, and practice critical thinking.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• High impact influencing and persuasive skills, and able to represent the organization to donors and other stakeholders.

Education and experience

Academic training:

• Master’s degree in public health, International Development or related discipline.

Experience

• Senior management level experience on large-sized health projects in Africa.
• At least 15 years work experience in international projects.
• At least 5 years of those spent in projects in developing countries lasting more than 2 years and managing teams of 10 or more including local and international staff.
• Experience managing at least one project for an external government client for at least 2 years.
• Experience working with performance-based contracts.
• Experience in project and financial management with a proven track record of timely submission of high-quality project deliverables.
• Experience working on malaria, maternal, and child health programs, including community health delivery.
• Familiar with the Nigeria health system.

Additional skills:

• Strategic thinking.
• Ability to manage and inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent program management skills, with proven ability to implement high-quality projects on time and within budget.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in engaging government health officials at all levels.
• Good influencing and persuasion skills and ability to remain compliant with organizational and donor policies.
• Ability to manage and prioritize high workloads and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written.
• Capable of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• A team player, with inter-personal skills
• Proactive and takes initiative as required.
• Results-oriented work ethic.
• Good capacity-building skills especially mentoring and coaching.
• Conversant with malaria epidemiology in Nigeria.
• Data-driven decision-making mentality.
• Excellent advocacy skills, and comfortable being a strong advocate for malaria control.