Project Director at Malaria Consortium

Scope of work

The Programme Director will lead a project team that includes experienced technical and programme management specialists and oversee the provision of short-term technical assistance to NMEP and SMEPs and other key stakeholders. He/She will work to keep the project on course to achieve its targets and fully compliance with donor and MC policies, guideline and code of conduct.

Key working relationships

• Serve as contact for all SARMAAN II project activities managed by MC.
• Line management by the West & Central Africa Programmes Director.
• Works with the Senior Country Technical Coordinator for Technical Assistance Quality Assurance of the project.

Key accountabilities

Strategic planning, management and governance (20%)

• Ensure regular communications are maintained between the different teams particularly between zonal/state teams and with the Abuja office.
• Be responsible for the project risk register. Work with the team members of the SMT in the identification, tracking, prevention and management of key programme risks especially those related to performance and fiduciary management.
• Be liaison between the project, NMEP, the donor - BMGF and other partners and stakeholders

Programme (Routine, LLIN Campaign and SMC distribution) management (50%)

• Develop and implement work plans, ensuring that campaign and routine programming work plans are integrated into an overall consolidated programme work plan.
• Work closely with the Country Technical Coordinator to see that work plans are aligned with best technical approaches.
• Perform oversight with the project team to ensure successful implementation the 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 mass drug administration (MDA) of Azithromycin (MDA-AZM) in Kaduna, Jigawa and Kebbi states;
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the project team and key stakeholders
• Travel to the field as necessary to provide support and oversight to the zonal and state teams.
• Ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of the project as appropriate.
• Work with the Senior Country Technical Coordinator to;
  • Adapt MC technical quality standard for the project and ensure its compliance
  • See that project lessons and experiences are documented.
• Work with the SMT to see that programme improvement is data-driven.

Logistics, finance and administration (10%)

• Ensure the project is efficiently and accurately managed within allowable line item flexibility and there is full accountability of resources.
• Ensure familiarity and compliance of staff and stakeholders with/to Malaria Consortium and  donor compliance issues.
• Work with team members to prepare projected project expenditures.
• Work with the finance team (both at the country office and donor project based) 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.
• Closely monitor project budget spending and burn rates.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure timely financial reporting and assistance at audits for the project.

Human Resource Management (10%)

• Work with the HR manager to ensure the project is roles are filled with quality staff and their performance continuously improve throughout the project implementation period.
• Line manage members of the staff using performance-based management approaches.

Representation (10%)

• Represent MC in all SARMAAN project activities.
• Other representations as might be delegated by MC management team.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, International Development or related discipline.
• Senior management level experience on large sized health projects in Africa.
• At least 15 years working experience in international projects.
• At least 5 years of those spent in projects in developing countries lasting more than 2 years and managing teams of 10 or more including local and international staff.
• Experience managing at least one project for an external government client for at least 2 years.
• Experience working with performance-based contracts.
• Experience in project and financial management with a proven track record of timely submission of high quality project deliverables.

Desirable

• Experience managing donor projects or contracts such as BMGF, DFID, GFATM or USAID/PMI.
• Experience working on malaria, maternal and child health programmes, including community health delivery.
• Familiar with the Nigeria health system.

Work-based skills:

Essential

• Strategic thinking.
• Ability to manage and inspire high performing teams.
• Excellent programme management skills, with proven ability to implement high quality projects on time and within budget.
• Strong negotiation skills, particularly in engaging government health officials at all levels.
• Good influencing and persuasion skills and ability to remain compliant with organisational and donor policies.
• Ability to manage and prioritize high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written.
• Capable of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• A team player, with a friendly attitude.
• Proactive and takes initiative as required.
• Results-oriented work ethic.

Desirable

• Good capacity building skills especially mentoring and coaching.
• Conversant with the basic epidemiology of malaria in Nigeria.
• Data-driven decision making mentality.
• Excellent advocacy skills, and comfortable being a strong advocate for malaria control.