Health Systems Strengthening Chief of Party at ABT Associates

The Opportunity 

Abt Associates seeks a highly experienced health sector expert as Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated health systems strengthening program in Nigeria.  The program will strive to improve the enabling environment for access to high-quality health care services through technical assistance to implement, rapidly scale up, and adapt proven interventions that strengthen critical components of the health system. Building on the achievements of recent USAID- and other donor-supported activities, Abt Associates will work through partnerships with the Government of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, local organizations, civil society, and communities to strengthen systems and institutional capacity to sustainably improve the health status of the Nigerian population.

This position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria and is contingent upon award.

Core Responsibilities 

This Chief of Party role is best filled by a dynamic leader with vision, proven results, and  tenacity, with key responsibilities including:

• Provides overall leadership of the entire project activity, ensuring an integrated vision among different components, actors, and geographies, with a focus on demonstrable impact in the health of populations as defined in the project scope of work.
• Cultivates strong relationships with the client, Federal and State Governments, local stakeholders, and implementing partners to create synergies across programs and ensure implementation of activities. 
• Maintains overall responsibility and accountability for ensuring high-quality technical implementation, deliverables, and evidence-based results. 
• Designs and oversees the project annual work plan in accordance with the USAID annual planning cycle.
• Oversees all financial report activities, which detail fund categories and status for core and field activities. 
• Monitors the progress and pace of project implementation, assuring that the full potential of the program is realized through the promotion of high-quality work and internal control.
• Proactively identifies issues and risks related to activity implementation and suggests appropriate activity adjustments.
• Participates in technical networks, meetings, conferences, and select technical working groups as appropriate to represent the project and ensure effective collaboration on relevant technical and operational work.
• Clarifies roles, delegate responsibilities of senior staff and communicates expectations for staff contribution to project activities.

What We Value

• Advanced degree in public health, social sciences, clinical sciences, or related field with 15 years of experience in designing, implementing and managing large, complex health programs in developing countries. 
• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior management role, preferably as a Chief of Party of a USAID integrated health or health systems strengthening (especially health financing; human resources for health; primary health care; or decentralization) project with multi-state geography, in Nigeria highly preferred. 
• Ability to liaise effectively with and develop consensus among key stakeholders, including donors; national and local officials; public, private and civil society partners to assure effective collaboration among stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary, multicultural teams and ensure that project staff adhere to the highest standards of quality, relevance, and timeliness and reflect Abt’s values.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of geo-political, ethnic, cultural, and other factors affecting programming in Nigeria and the region highly preferred. 
• Prior experience leading USAID-funded programs in Nigeria required and in the Sub-Saharan Africa region is highly desirable.