Project Management Specialist - RMNCH/Nutrition (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child Health/Nutrition) at USAID

Solicitation No: AID-620-S-00-18-00006-00
Period of Performance: Five years renewable.
Security level Required: SBU

Basic Function of the Position

• The Supervisory Project Management Specialist (RMNCH/Nutrition) is responsible for the overall management of the technical and administrative aspects of all USAID/Nigeria’s activities in Family Planning/Reproductive Health (FP/RH), MNCH, and nutrition.
• The incumbent will supervise a team of up to two professional Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program Managers, two professional Family Planning/Reproductive Health (FP/RH) Program Managers, and a Nutrition Program Manager.
• S/he provides guidance on new program initiatives, drafts program documents to secure funding and implement activities, and manages the relationships between
• USAID and implementing partners that implement FP/RH and MCH activities.
• Also applies clinical knowledge to improving the effectiveness of USAID health activities, with particular sensitivity to the Nigerian context in which health and medical services are being provided.
• The incumbent serves as a member of the HPN Office Senior Management Team.
• S/he represents USAID regarding FP/RH, MCH, and nutrition policies, strategies and activities with outside organizations, such as the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Population
• Commission, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the State Ministries of
• Health, United Nations organizations, British Department for International Development,
• UNICEF, the World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, foundations and other development partners.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• The Supervisory Project Management Specialist (RMNCH/Nutrition) is a senior Foreign Service National in the HPN Office, reporting directly to the Office Director (or her/his designee), with responsibility for providing technical leadership to the entire USAID/Nigeria Mission and to the United States Government (USG) Mission in Nigeria in the areas of FP/RH, nutrition, and MNCH.
• S/he serves as a widely recognized expert in health programs and as a key advisor to
• Mission management, the USG Mission in Nigeria, and the Government of Nigeria (GoN).
• The incumbent is recognized by the USG and the GoN as an expert on primary health care.
• The incumbent is responsible, through supervision and management oversight, for the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of the FP/RH, nutrition, and MNCH portfolio.
• The incumbent facilitates communication and ensures collaborative working relationships with high-level decision makers, as well as technical staff, in the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, other government entities, other donors, and non-governmental organizations working in the areas of health.
• The incumbent represents USAID and the USG on various high-level governing bodies key to health services; serves on GoN technical working groups and donor working groups to advance the policy objectives of the USG and to support coordination and harmonization of health activities in Nigeria; and, provides essential communication and liaison within USAID offices and with other USG agencies.
• The work includes supervision of up to six professional members of the HPN Office.
• In managing the integrated FP/RH and MCH programs of the HPN Office, the Supervisory Integrated Program Manager will:

Manage the RMNCH activities of the HPN Office:

• Serve as primary advisor and primary technical resource and focal person for FP/RH, MCH, and Nutrition for USAID/Nigeria;
• Provide leadership and represent USAID to the GON, the donor community and nongovernmental organizations to coordinate and promote efforts to develop and implement strategies to improve health policies and service delivery;
• Serve as point person for USAID’s special efforts to improve health in Northern Nigeria;
• Identify synergies between FP/RH, MNCH, Nutrition and other USAID/Nigeria activities, in particular malaria, agriculture, and HIV/AIDS;
• Participate in the reviews of implementing partner annual, semiannual and quarterly reports and other reports as needed;
• Coordinate closely with USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa Bureaus to ensure that USAID/Nigeria’s FP/RH and MNCH programs are aligned with all pertinent policies, guidance and initiatives; and Develop new program initiatives.

Supervise Staff:

• Supervise a sub-team of professional RH/FP, MCH, and Nutrition Program Managers, including providing regular input regarding performance and ensuring team members are productive; and,
• Mentor RMNCH Team members and other HPN Office staff to improve technical and program management competencies.

Project Management:

• Serve as Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contract Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR, when trained and certified to do so) and Activity Manager for several agreements that implement culturally- appropriate and complex programs in Nigeria;
• Participate in proposal reviews, interview committees, annual report preparation and other Mission-wide activities; facilities development of implementing partner workplans, Performance Management Plans and coordinate preparation for implementing partner portfolio reviews;
• Ensure that project annual work-plans are completed on time and implemented in a timely fashion, including management reviews, project progress reports and financial expenditures;
• Conduct site visits to keep abreast of health activities; and coordinate consultants related to FP/RH and MNCH activities; and
• Develop and deliver presentations, reference materials and speeches as necessary on the overall health program and related subjects for informational, advocacy and coordination purposes.

Area of Consideration:

• Nigerians and all individuals eligible to work in Nigeria with a valid Work permit.

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position

• Education: A Minimum of a Master’s degree in Public Health or a closely related field is required.
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years progressively responsible, professional-level experience managing public health and health delivery with emphasis on RH/FP/MNCH/Nutrition; clinical skills and experience is required.
• Post Entry Training: USAID Program Management, Financial Management (GLAAS), and AOR/COR Training (as well as any prerequisite training)
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English (high proficiency in verbal and written expression) is required; Knowledge of Hausa desirable.

Job Knowledge:

• Familiarity with the broad range of FP/RH/MNCH/Nutrition issues that affect Nigeria and/or developing countries in general.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the major issues affecting FP/RH/MNCH/Nutrition in all geographical regions of Nigeria, with in-depth knowledge of the implementation of FP/RH/MNCH/Nutrition programs in Nigeria’s northern states.
• Demonstrated understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, organizations, foundations and private sector organizations that support FP/RH/MNCH/Nutrition.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated skills in decision-making and overseeing the implementation of RH/FP/MNCH activities in Nigeria. Excellent communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills.
• Word processing skills are essential; knowledge of spreadsheet development, graphics applications and statistical analyses packages are highly recommended.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate data and prepare reports and be capable of producing high quality work, often under time pressure and in complex situations
• Excellent organizational and management skills, strong analytical skills and in-depth understanding of the technical, political, economic and cultural characteristics of Nigeria as they relate to the implementation of public health programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, good social and professional judgment, and the ability to function effectively in cross-cultural and multi-level settings.
• S/he must be able to interact effectively with mid- and senior-level government officials and to maintain collaborative relationships within a tem structure, in addition to effectively work individually and as a team member.
• S/he must be able to effectively lead, facilitate and participate in discussions and meetings.