Programme Coordinator at Methodist Church Nigeria

Background

• Comprehensive Community Mental Health Programme (CCMHP), under the auspices of Methodist Church Nigeria, is seeking an experienced Programme Coordinator to oversee the implementation and expansion of the programme with all its components within Nigeria. The position will have overall operational and management responsibility in completing CCMHP projects in four focal states of Nigeria and will serve as CCMHP’s primary spokesperson.
• The Programme Coordinator will report directly to the CCMHP Board of Governors. S/he will consult with Technical Advisors, Programme and Finance Managers at CBM Country Coordination Office in Nigeria; management staff of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in the states; and both the Conference Headquarters and Otukpo Diocese of Methodist Church Nigeria. S/he will manage the activities of all members of the Project Implementation Team as they are involved in the project, including accounting, communications, administrative and programme staff assigned or seconded to CCMHP.
• S/he will oversee all consultants and contractors to ensure contracts and agreements are executed and implemented to the satisfaction of CBM and Methodist Church Nigeria. Day-to-day collaboration will be required with all members of the programme team to ensure that the organization is able to achieve its objectives. In addition, s/he will work closely with stakeholders from across the region to develop consensus around its projects and their implementation.
• A significant component of CCMHP’s work is to strengthen the health and social systems in its coverage areas by leveraging the skills, expertise and assets of existing partners, institutions and stakeholders of public and private sectors to integrate and routinely deliver quality community mental health services within mainstream health and social systems.
• CCMHP works actively with CBM and other implementing partners to intervene in humanitarian emergencies in Benue State and North-East Nigeria where the focus is to establish quality services to provide inclusive transitional aid to persons affected by humanitarian crises within the region. An integrated Community Mental Health Programme that is contemplated to be the outcome of this process must be the product of the joint effort and engagement of the partnership and the Programme Coordinator will have the charge of helping to create an environment of trust and collaboration to ensure sustainability of the projects.

Responsibilities
Program Implementation, Oversight And Development:

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and lead project activities to ensure that goals, objectives and all project elements are accomplished within the prescribed time frame and funding parameters
• Review the programme’s funding application to determine time frame, funding limitations, procedures for accomplishing projects, staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various phases of the projects
• Oversee preparation and implementation of programme budget and ensure financial accountability
• Review status reports prepared by project personnel and modify schedules or plans as required
• Prepare and review project progress reports for presentation to CBM, MCN Conference Headquarters and other stakeholders as required
• Assemble and author guidelines and toolkits for CCMHP stakeholders, collaborating partners and field workers to use and learn from in order to become more effective
• Develop work plans, budgets and progress reports as required by donors and other partners
• Manage the partner relationship with State Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Board, and State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development — key local partners in the program
• Maintain relationships with current and potential funding sponsors and network with other partners with focus in mental health in order to create a network of mental health NGOs in which peer-learning and experience-sharing can occur
• Organize training events including venue, transport, accommodation, feeding, health and safety issues, paperwork and finances
• Liaise with the appropriate bodies and people including local government, village and health officials
• Source appropriate trainers and organize their training needs including training resources
• Responsible for overall quality and management of CCMHP projects
• Recognize and solve potential problems and evaluate project/program effectiveness
• Conduct research and write reports/articles
• Network with local, state and national agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private sector business interests for future program development
• Ensure that the programme engages with Disabled Peoples Organizations (JONAPWD) in ensuring that persons with disability are actively engaged and have full participation in programme activities

Personnel Management:

• Ensure staff are supported and enabled to fulfill their designated tasks
• Directly manage key officers involved in the programme. Offer support and problem-solving
• Work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and State Primary Healthcare Board to manage staff working with the programme to deliver local services (e.g. psychiatric nurses and non-mental health professionals)
• Liaise with Government health officials, church leaders, community leaders, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Village Health Workers (Field workers / Community Volunteers) and family members of those with mental illness to ensure that good working relationships are maintained
• Recruit, manage and develop high performing project team who are meeting their objectives when necessary and in line with Programme policy and under the direction of CCMHP’s Board (Management Committee)
• Ensure team building and enhance motivation of project team

Communication & Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Represent CCMHP to CBM, Methodist Church Nigeria Conference Headquarters, government officials, other partners, funding sources, project beneficiaries, at conferences and other outreach opportunities
• Review and finalize program reports to CBM and other stakeholders
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation activities and reporting meet funder’s standards, and are completed on schedule
• Ensure effective systems are in place to monitor and evaluate project outcomes
• Provide program content expertise, which will include delivering public presentations about CCMHP projects and communicating the project’s purpose, value and importance to the state and country at large
• Ensure that CBM’s communication guide lines are adhered to
• Engage with stakeholders in advocacy about the human rights of persons with psychosocial disability to bring about change in negative attitudes, reduce discrimination and to increase access to care for service users and their families
• Arrange any publicity for any main project events in a range of mediums including the television and radio
• Host visitors to the programme
• Liaise with other mental health programmes across the country to collaborate on research, particularly in relation to the WHO/FMOH plans to scale up services in Nigeria

Financial Management And Grant Oversight:

• Responsible for implementation of project activities in accordance with project or activity budgets. Comply with CCMHP and donor financial policies and procedures including reporting requirements
• Ensure the understanding and compliance of CCMHP administrative and financial framework by all project staff, partners and third-party engagements
• Consult with Project Accountants and Finance and Administration Manager regarding best practices for financial administration of project work
• Develop and monitor the grant agreements and sub-agreements for project partners
• Work with finance staff and CBM Country Director in Nigeria to revise budgets, as needed

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or relevant professional qualifications in Business Administration, Management or Health
• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Management, or Psychology will be an added advantage
• Minimum of five years of experience managing international development projects specifically health, livelihood, behavior change communication, and humanitarian response and disability inclusion projects

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Experience of managing healthcare projects
• Experience of managing and supervising staff
• Proven project management skills with experience managing multiple projects and/or working for an international organization in Nigeria
• Strong interpersonal skills and mentoring skills to work effectively with project staff, partners and clients
• A track record that demonstrates energy and creativity, and the ability to successfully prioritize and manage competing priorities
• Demonstrated success in project planning, financial management, program monitoring, report writing, and identifying and procuring technical assistance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills
• Ability to offer clear leadership
• Open to understanding mental health services and issues facing people experiencing mental health problems
• Ability to work with people with mental health problems and their families
• Ability to manage finances and to support others in doing so
• Ability to liaise and negotiate with external agencies including government
• Good organizational skills including time management, planning and delegation skills
• Ability to convene and chair meetings
• Good keyboard skills and a sound working knowledge of Computer Packages: WORD, EXCEL (essential) and ACCESS (desirable)
• Knowledge of internet and e-mail use

Personal Attributes:

• Honest and committed
• Able to use initiative and take on new roles and responsibilities
• Flexible and creative in problem solving
• Ability to work under pressure with limited resources
• Sensitive to cultural differences and the ability to communicate accordingly
• Tolerance of open expression of religious faith
• Ability to work independently