Program Associate (Experienced Hire - Associate) at Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR)

Description and Objectives

• The Program Associate will provide technical and operational support for the execution of assigned SCIDaR programs.
• This will involve day-to-day management of all program workflows and provision of direct oversight for Program Analysts and Interns in the execution of assigned program activities.

Technical Responsibilities – Program Support
Program implementation:

• Support the planning, coordination, and implementation of program activities;
• Monitor program workstreams and escalate program challenges;
• Gathering and analyzing information, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing and communicating recommendations;
• Participate in client management discussions and implement recommendations in collaboration with team.
• Ensure close collaboration and coordination with cooperating partners to guarantee smooth implementation of activities and achievement of results;
• Participate in routine technical problem-solving sessions with the primary client and relevant stakeholders to brainstorm implementation challenges and align on decisions to guide the path forward;

Program monitoring and reporting:

• Regularly monitor and review program activities to ensure quality, accountability, and contractual compliance with agreed deliverables and performance indicators as per the scope of work;
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, meeting briefs, and donor reporting inputs related to the workstream.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and implementation insights to support programme learning and continuous improvement.

Program staff development and team building:

• Participate in assessment of candidates to affirm suitability for program roles;
• Contribute to program onboarding briefing with the program team at the beginning of a new program (or new staff upon joining an existing program) to communicate the program expectations, staff roles, deliverables and performance indicators;
• Support individual team members to identify and document learning goals at the beginning of the program (or new staff upon joining an existing program), and facilitate feedback sessions to track their progress;
• Facilitate periodic (at least monthly) individual performance reviews and provide feedback to program analyst on their strengths and re-direction needs as is it applies to program activities and deliverables;
• Contribute to all team management issues, including but not limited to team communication, data storage, and sharing modalities, team workstation, facilities, and other logistics, team bonding activities, etc.
• Participate as required in the comprehensive in-house professional development program that includes periodic training needs assessment; new staff onboarding and orientation; in-class training sessions; staff mentoring program;
• Support Program Managers to anticipate project staffing requirements and planning staff placements to satisfy both employee professional development needs and project needs;
• Request ICT infrastructure and support services required for the effective execution of program activities;

Required competencies:
Core requirements:

• Compelling evidence of interest in and commitment to the mission of SCIDaR;
• Demonstrated strong strategic thinking and thought leadership abilities;
• Advanced computer usage skills with proficiency in Microsoft® Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong project coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines.
• Fast learner, open to learning from peers, subordinates, and supervisors collaboratively and at a rapid pace;
• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Results oriented performer, experienced in developing and tracking self and team with clear KPIs;
• Strong verbal and excellent report writing, documentation, presentation, and professional communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently as needed by the assigned project.

Education and Experience

• Academic training: Minimum of a Second-class Upper Bachelors’ Degree in International Development, Policy and Strategy Development, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences, Health Management or similarly relevant field from a reputable university;

Experience:

• 3-5 years of progressive post NYSC experience in management consulting, implementing development programs in the non-profit sector or systems strengthening;
• Demonstrated experience in programme monitoring, indicator tracking, data validation, data quality assurance, and performance reporting.
• Experience public health programmes, including coordination with government institutions, civil society organizations, and implementing partners.