Program Manager, Niger State Group Antenatal Care Deployment at Project Hope

Job Description

• The Program Manager is responsible for the design, implementation, and monitoring of the Niger State Group Antenatal Care Deployment under the TA Connect/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Program.
• S/He will work in collaboration with the key State stakeholders, multiple local and international actors and Implementing partners to improve access to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) services and support state-wide institutionalization of the G-ANC model.
• The Program Manager will report to the Country Director and will lead Project HOPE’s technical team for efficient planning, financing, delivering, and monitoring high quality services to the Niger State government.
• S/he will be responsible for designing and implementing operational plans and leading program activities.
• S/he will provide technical leadership on all aspects of improving the quality of RMNCH services by supporting the government’s strategic goal of increasing ANC coverage in the targeted LGAs in Niger state and generate an evidence-base to support other states to adopt G-ANC.
• S/he will develop strategies for resource mobilization and lead the technical team to produce quarterly, semi-annual and annual quantitative and narrative reports, including relevant information on lessons learnt, challenges encountered, and opportunities identified for improvement.
• S/He is responsible for coordinating amongst the different health actors to guarantee the feasibility of the project and country program.

Strategic Planning:

• Oversees the program budget and development of annual work plans, semi-annual reports, and other reports as needed to ensure all project deliverables are of high quality and produced on time and within budget.
• Provides leadership in developing, implementing, and assessing an integrated package of interventions to increase coverage and utilization of high-quality RMNCH interventions at the household, community, and health facility levels in collaboration with key national and state stakeholders
• Operationalize and implement of the Niger State Group Antenatal Care Deployment program components
• Support the development, strengthening and implementation of state and LGA RMNCH strategic and annual plans
• Facilitate linkages and foster collaboration and coordination with key stakeholders including relevant national, state, and local government authorities, partners and civil society organizations involved in RMNCH, and communities
• Provide input and participate in the project strategy design and implementation plan for the health facility and community services components.

Technical leadership:

• Directly supervises the work of senior technical/project staff and ensures efficient and effective contribution to project goals.
• Oversee extensive technical and programmatic activities in Niger state to ensure high quality, evidence‐based approaches, and effective implementation to increase access to, use, and quality of services at the facility and community levels for implementation of the RMNCH and G-ANC Model.
• Contribute to the development of evidence‐based training materials and standards, supportive supervision materials and approaches, job aids, and other systems and tools for diverse stakeholders in line with approved national guidelines.
• Conduct regular field visits in collaboration with key national, state, and LGA MOH stakeholders and facilitate follow up on recommendations
• Ensure comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the program
• Providing leadership for publications writing and best practice documentation strategies.

Implementation:

• Directly supervises the work of senior project staff and consultants and ensures efficient and effective contribution to program activities in line with grant agreement
• Support the development of Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and procurement plan and other project management tools.
• Coordinate the implementation of the G-ANC program and determine the operational needs of the program within the scope of the project
• Provide on-going management, supportive supervision and mentorship to team members working on the project
• Organize and facilitate training and capacity building of health personnel and other project implementation stakeholders as necessary.
• Produce and ensure timely submission of monthly program activity and M&E reports when required.

Administrative and Financial Management: 

• Provide guidance to the finance, admin, and logistics officers in the management of administrative and financial tasks pertinent to the project.
• Ensure that all programme administration and financial management in the state is in line with Project HOPE’s and donor´s regulations.

Representation & Communication:

• Participate in and represent Project HOPE at the Ministry of Health and other Coordination platforms with all other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and linkages with sub-recipient organizations, host government health departments, health facilities and community-based organizations for effective implementation of health programs at country level.
• Create awareness and promote Project HOPE’s principles throughout program/ project implementation.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Statistics, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Informatics, or a health-related field is required
• A senior leader with 10+ years of relevant experience, with capacity development of government offices, preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the social welfare context and health system in Nigeria, and preferably in Niger state
• Successful experience in implementing RMNCH projects and familiarity with USAID/BMGF programs preferred.
• Demonstrated results with capacity building/training and implementing training programs and workshops in Monitoring, Evaluation and Research; familiarity with DHIS is an advantage
• Familiarity with the Nigerian Health system including government planning and budgeting processes at Federal and state levels
• Strong skills in negotiating with and engaging Ministry of Health officials at all levels of the health system.
• Demonstrated computer skills in Epi Info, SPSS, GIS and Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook and advanced skills in the use of analytical tools
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of RMNCH Indicators
• Contribute to the use of information management tools such as dashboards to support decision-makers at the local government and state levels to make better use of data.
• Experience working with private sector actors involved in health services delivery
• Fluency in English.

Other Essential Requirements:
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within Project HOPE and among beneficiaries served by Project HOPE

Compliance & Ethics:

• Promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout Project HOPE.
• As applicable to the position, maintain a clear understanding of Project HOPE’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adhere to those standards.
• Conduct work with the highest level of integrity

Competency:

• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Proven capabilities in leadership
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills
• Ability to read, writes, analyze, and interpret, technical and non-technical in the English language
• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government leaders and other related regional players.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Project HOPE employees work in the global health field and may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”.
• Travel for extended periods by air and other modes of transportation.
• Must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment and must be able to communicate in verbal and written form.
• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.