Assistant Director, Programmes at Marie Stopes

OBJECTIVES:

• The Assistant Director, Programme is responsible for the successful management and delivery of MSI Nigeria projects and channels commitments.
• The successful candidate will work closely with channels, project teams and other units to achieve MSIN objectives.
• S/he is responsible for supporting the delivering of channel strategies and effective project management ensuring all project deliverables are met while keeping the expected standards for all channels in MSIN.  
• She/he supports the Director, Programme Operations in directing the programme activities of the organisation to ensure effective strategy implementation, continual improvement and strengthening of MSIN’s service delivery channels and projects.
• These include Outreach, Social Franchise, Public Sector Support (PSS) and the Marie Stopes Ladies (MS-Ladies) channel.
• S/he will support  donor project implementation, relationship management, partnership management with external partner institutions, and internal teams to ensure alignment, shared understanding of country programme commitments and coordination for efficient and flawless delivery on all programme commitments. 
• He/she will ensure that project implementation at channel levels are approved, implemented, monitored and reported in line with MSIN and donor policies while managing and supporting project   managers to ensure project targets are achieved within budget and timeline. 

KEY OBJECTIVES:

Funding, Grants and Project Management 

• With guidance from the Director Programme Operations, stay up to date on trends within the donor environment in  Nigeria, sub-regional and internationally while supporting diversified local and international fundraising initiatives to strengthen programme funding and sustainability.
• Work with project managers on reliable monthly project performance and tracking that informs risks and decisions.
• Work with project and grant managers on a monthly budget variance analysis that informs risks and decisions. 
• Support in the coordination of good quality funding proposals and respond to call for proposal.
• Facilitate directly through programme operations directorate donor visits, donor meetings, and round table sessions.
• Ensure visibility and raise MSIN’s profile among key stakeholders, including  donors, partners, by organising and attending meetings and maintaining professional relationships with strategically placed individuals within target institutions for overall  programme operations success
• Build strong relationships with key policy makers and cooperating partners in order to influence policy change and MSIN’s strategic value.
• Monitor and report relevant international health and development policy developments towards informing MSIN’s perspective on health and approaches, including project proposal. 

Channel Management and Support  

• Lead on channel growth, efficiency, and productivity. 
• Work with channel leads to ensure that channel strategies are in place for all channels, monitored and implemented accordingly. 
• Facilitate clear on-going analysis of the situation in which the channels perform and use results to inform management discussion and to evolve the business model needed.
• Identification of opportunities and threats for intervention given Nigeria’s context for FP and PAC across all channels. 
• Active networking to identify allies and partners for increased impact.
• Lead in monthly channel commentary and performance analysis across l channels and relevant indicators. 
• Provide management support and oversight to channel leads on channel strategies and ensure that these are implemented in line with overall strategic focus of the country programme and aligning with global channel expectations.

Improvement of MSIN’s systems: 

• Lead on or contribute  to  the development and improvement of  tools, systems,  techniques,  resources,   and  strategies  for identifying, tracking, and pursuing new business opportunities, developing proposals and budgets, managing institutional knowledge, represent MSIN on specific technical working groups and facilitate cross-departmental sharing and learning, including descriptions of MSI’s technical areas of expertise, country programme and/or programme write-ups, and development of graphics and presentations.

Donor Mapping and communication: 

• Work with the Business Development manager to manage donor mapping and steer prepositioning for funding opportunities.
• Contribute to donor discussions and communications with existing and new/potential donors, ensuring that MSI Nigeria is visible to donors.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and review of MSIN’s new business development goals and strategies.

Leadership

• As a senior member of the programme operations team, the Assistant Director, Programme must demonstrate a strong commitment to MSIN’s mission and goals and encourage a similar commitment from all team members.
• Lead team members development and directly mentor/coach direct reports while taking keen interest in their wellbeing. 
• Support the regional managers in the formation of effective partnerships within the development arena to increase the status and level of recognition for MSIN’s work and to influence policy, practice and grant making decisions of donors and the NGO sector in assigned region.
• Create and support opportunities to highlight MSION policy messages and technical expertise to a wider audience through media channels and special events, linking with communications and clinical teams as required.
• Work with the communication and marketing and the Programme Design and Development teams to quarterly  take stock of the external environment  to inform
• From time to time represent the organisation at meetings, workshops, press conferences, or other forums.
• MSI’s external relations plans

REQUIRED, SKILL, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION:

To perform this role, it is essential that you have the following skills: Excellent leadership skills: with the ability to motivate others to exceed expectations and to up skill other managers to reflect the same behaviours.

• Conflict management, negotiation and resolution skills and experience
• Strong management skills; able to manage performance effectively and support others during times of change.
• Ability to influence and communicate with stakeholders, both internal and external
• Strong analytical skills – the ability to accurately interpret data both financial and statistical and take relevant actions.
• Track record of delivering quality results and impact in previous roles
• Adaptable during times of change and ambiguity and able to quickly gain the cooperation of other departments and external parties.

To perform this role, it is essential that you have the following experience:

• Over 10 years post NYSC experience in INGO managing, programmes, operations, and field support. 
• Master Degree in Management, Administration, Health Science, Social Science, or International Development Management
• Significant experience in a senior management role of a medium to large organisation, with a proven track record of leading and motivating dynamic teams in developing countries.
• Significant experience in managing donor -funded, health related projects, including technical and financial management and compliance (USAID, EC, and DFID experience valued)
• Thorough understanding of health interventions and approaches in developing country setting.
• Proven track record in external relations, fundraising and communication.
• Sound knowledge of family planning, reproductive and maternal health an advantage