Country Programmes Manager at Malaria Consortium

Job purpose

The role of the Country Programmes Manager (CPM) is to provide leadership in the roll-out and efficient running of programme / project management systems and processes for all programmes and projects as a coherent portfolio within Malaria Consortium Nigeria office. The position holder will also line manage some Project Managers in Malaria Consortium Nigeria as agreed with the West and Central Africa Programmes Director, who also functions as the Country Director. The CPM will also be a member of a management board of Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Ltd/Gte.

Scope of work

The position holder will be the lead of programme and project management function for the country office and ensure all programmes and project in the MC NG portfolio are implemented in line with the programme proposals and operational plans whilst ensuring that programme/ project targets are met.

The role will work closely with the WCAPD to review the MC NG portfolio to ensure the projects and programmes delivers optimal value according to plan and within budget and time. The position holder will ensure efficient and effective project management practices including lessons learning, adaptive management, and optimal value-for-money. The position holder will line manage several programmes / projects personnel as assigned by the WCAPD. The role will play a leadership role in day-to-day management of Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Ltd/Gte operations.

Key working relationships

The CPM will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), the Senior Management Team (SMT), MPH Management Board and will report to the West and Central Programmes Director (WCAPD). The Postholder will work very closely with all departments (Technical, Finance, Logistics, HR & Admin) while rolling out project and programme management tools and processes to support project directors and managers to ensure that all Malaria Consortium Nigeria programmes / projects are implemented in line with donor guidelines and Malaria Consortium policies and procedures. The position holder will line manage assigned Project Managers and other staffs. They will build the capacity and mentor for good project management performance. The role will also act as the Safeguarding focal person for the Malaria Consortium NG office.

Key accountabilities

Programme management (50%)

• Develop and implement systems and processes for work planning, work plan review, monitoring and reporting ensuring that different donor grants are integrated into an overall integrated work plan for the country office and demonstrate alignment with Malaria Consortium Country Strategy.
• Support PMs to ensure the development of appropriate work plans for each level in each of the projects, such as annual, quarterly, monthly operational / activity plans and ensure these are linked to the forecast both in content and timing.
• Support PMs to ensure programmes and projects are implemented as planned and all Malaria Consortium systems to ensure key performance measures (BVA, QPA etc) are complied with.
• Work with PD and PM to set periodic reviews of their programme and projects with stakeholders and ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate.
• Ensure regular cross functional project review meetings are held which include all relevant country and state office stakeholders. Such reviews should review output and outcome indicator progress against the project log frames, activity progress against work plans, financial progress against the forecast and compared to activity progress, and operational plans (procurement and HR plans)
• Work with the PMs to develop risk registers and mitigation plans for projects and programmes which should inform a consolidated risk register for the country office and set systems for the review of these risks including the mitigating actions in line with the organisation risk framework.
• Work with other country functional leads to develop and maintain, as a management tool, a Value-for-Money (VfM) framework for the country office and track the key indicators and use these to improve efficient running of all MC office locations in the country.
• Collate and develop a schedule for all different types of programme / project reporting including the quality assurance process and support PMs to ensure this is complied with.
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the team, local stakeholders and project partners.
• Work with the PMs and other Country Office functional leads to respond to audit / review recommendations within the agreed timeline.
• Work with the West and Central Africa Programmes Director to monitor the evolving security and humanitarian situation in all MC implementation sites, especially in the North – East Zone and consider operational and immediate responses to security risk exposures.
• Travel to the field as necessary to provide support and effective oversight to the field teams.

• Maintain a good and proactive collaboration with the local authorities and partners.
• Work closely with the Country Technical Coordinator to see that work plans are aligned with best technical approaches.
• Work with the Country Technical Coordinator to see that lessons and experiences are documented, and that programme quality improvement is evidence- and/or data-informed.
• Work with Compliance manager to ensure all donor and MC requirements for all projects and programmes are met.

Strategic planning and strategy implementation (10%)

• Provide strategic planning support to the West and Central Africa Programmes Director with focus on ensuring the relevance of Malaria Consortium’s role in Nigeria and contributes to the development, implementation, and M&E of Malaria Consortium’s country strategy.
• Support the West and Central Africa Programmes Director in identifying new business development opportunities which will include identifying areas of interest and identifying potential partnerships.
• Ensure regular communications are maintained between the different functions particularly between field teams, and the Abuja office.

Financial planning and management (10%)

• Work with the Country Finance Manager (CFM), PMs and Operations team to design roll-out systems that ensure the link of programme / project planning with Malaria Consortium annual budgeting and forecasting cycle.
• Work with WCA Programmes Director to monitor that Programme / Project Managers are efficiently and accurately managing their budgets and resources within allowable line-item flexibility and there is accountability of resources.
• Work with the Country Finance Manager (CFM) to monitor expenditure and budget compliance on a regular basis, report any concerns to the WCAPD and develop plans to mitigate any under or over expenditure at grant level.
• Closely monitor programme / projects budget spending and burn rates.

Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Ltd/Gte (15%)

• Work with WCA Programmes Director to oversee effective management and operations of Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Ltd/Gte activities.
• Be a member of a management board of Malaria and Public Health Nigeria Ltd/Gte and take the lead in implementing management actions.
• Maintain and track progress in objectives of MPH Nigeria Ltd/Gte to ensure optimal value for its key stakeholders.

Human Resource Management and Capacity development (15%)

• Contribute to recruitment and selection of competent staffing for programme and projects.
• Be an effective line manager and mentor, using performance-based management approaches.
• Act as safeguarding focal point for Malaria Consortium NG office and work with HR Manager and Safeguarding (FG) Advisor to ensure Malaria Consortium safeguarding policies are rolled out and complied with in MC NG office.
• Develop or adapt practical guidance and tools, based on Malaria Consortium project management frameworks, for PMs to support best practices in project management.

Person specification

Qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Postgraduate qualification in international development, public health, business administration, project management or similar.
• Extensive experience in a similar role
• Significant hands-on experience in project management at a senior level or management of large or multi-country programmes ideally in low- or middle-income countries
• Excellent experience with managing operational units in large international organisations.
• Experience managing grants from institutional funders such as the GFATM, USAID or FCDO or foundations such as the BMGF.
• Strong team management skills with experience of working in diverse teams.
• Experience of managing large projects with multiple operational sites
• Experience working in security challenged environments and/or humanitarian context.
• Experience in proposal development and reporting.
• Significant experience in budget management responsibilities
• Experience working in a multi-cultural team.

Desirable

• Experience working in Nigeria.
• Programme management qualification e.g. PRINCE2.
• Experience working on maternal and child health programmes, including community health delivery.
• Experience working in the management of complex public health programmes.
• Experience in risk management.

Work-based skills:

Essential

• Solid understanding of project management practices
• Ability to manage and prioritize high workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and to remain flexible and calm under pressure.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills
• Proven ability to deliver high quality projects on time and within budget.
• Capable of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• A team player, with a friendly attitude
• Proactive and self-starter
• Results-oriented work ethic
• High integrity
• Committed to Malaria Consortium’s values and mission.

Desirable

• Excellent Monitoring and Evaluation skills
• Excellent capacity building skills especially mentoring and coaching
• Conversant with public health principles
• Familiar with adaptive management approaches
• Skilled in project management quality improvement approaches