Associate Director, Strategic Purchasing at Results for Development (R4D)

Job Description

• The Associate Director will work closely with key actors at the federal and subnational levels to improve the strategic purchasing of primary healthcare using the benefit package review as an entry point.
• The Associate Director will report to the Country Director and will collaborate with other members of the R4D leadership team.
• The Associate Director will work with team members based in a variety of global time zones, including, but not limited to, the East coast of the United States and multiple countries in Africa.

Responsibilities

The Associate Director is expected to perform the following primary duties:

• Identify, assess, and inform R4D about trends and opportunities for strategic health purchasing in Nigeria.
• Work with the Country Director and team to set the strategic direction for the R4D Strategic Health Purchasing Sub-portfolio in Nigeria.
• Identification of country demand for strategic health purchasing support, engagement with country stakeholders, and the design and implementation of packages of support based on identified demand.
• Development of strategic purchasing knowledge products and their effective dissemination.
• Establish and maintain relations with key stakeholders particularly the Federal and State governments, ministries of health, health purchasing institutions, research and policy institutions across Nigeria to facilitate collaboration on strategic health purchasing.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with international, regional and local technical partners to enhance program development and service delivery.
• Cultivate partnerships with donors (foundations, institutional etc.) for increased investments towards Strategic purchasing in Nigeria.
• Monitor delivery of programs for quality improvement.  Track key deliverables and key performance indicators to ensure that all workstreams are on-track to achieve their results.
• Work with program partners and R4D teams to ensure the development of activities that contribute to the sustainability (financial, approach, impact etc.)
• Ensure smooth start-up of all new work. Develop highly effective teams of existing and/or newly recruited staff. Promote strong funder and partner relationships. Ensure sound and feasible budgets and work plans.
• Communicate with stakeholders both locally and internationally to keep them informed of R4D’s work and solicit support and commitment.
• Form alliances that promote strategic health purchasing in sub-Saharan Africa. 
• Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to achieve high levels of performance.
• Support a thriving work environment that attracts, optimizes and retains high-performing talent.
• Participates fully as a member of R4D by contributing, assisting and participating in projects, activities, and initiatives as requested by management

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in health economics, health financing, health policy, public health, or related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in health financing, universal health coverage, health systems strengthening or health policy role at a senior level.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to national/international health financing, health systems reform or UHC strategy and policy development.
• Experience and a strong reputation working with or liaising with government institutions and multilateral organizations and institutions would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership showing strategic thinking in designing and executing projects, including steering work planning, managing and mentoring colleagues, and overseeing compliant and cost-effective use of resources to deliver on objectives.
• Strong skills in process facilitation and stakeholder management across diverse groups, including government and development partners.
• Understanding of collaborative working methods.
• Ability to coach and mentor junior staff. Ability to promote a highly engaged organizational culture of excellence and continuous improvement that values learning and innovation, entrepreneurship, and commitment to organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and professional growth.
• Ability to participate in public forums and effectively engage local and international audiences to ensure strong communication about R4D’s work.
• Track record of leading and publishing global knowledge and analytic products and presenting them to external audiences on global and country panels and conferences.
• Ability to set priorities and handle multiple competing time and resource demands; highly organized.
• Decisiveness and ability to reach timely decisions and initiate action appropriately.
• Entrepreneurship, sound commercial judgment, and instinct.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout sub-Saharan Africa
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with cross cultural teams.
• Fluency in English including excellent written and verbal communication, report writing, and presentation skills.