Senior Project Manager (HeRON) at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary
HeRON Project Overview:

• FCDO/USAID Lafiya Health Resilience of the Northeast Nigeria (HeRON) project in Borno and Yobe states supports delivery of quality integrated primary healthcare, reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services, to improve evidence-based decision making, accountability at all levels of service delivery.
• IRC leads a consortium of humanitarian and development implementing partners (Action Contre la Faim – ACF, Society for Family Health Nigeria).
• The Project team is working alongside states and local government authorities, strengthening their capacity to effectively deliver quality integrated primary healthcare, reproductive, maternal, and newborn and child health and nutrition services.

Scope of Work

• IRC is seeking a dynamic and experienced public health and project management professional to provide technical support to State’s MoH and LGAs to strengthen the health system.
• Reporting to the HeRON Consortium Team Leader, the Senior HeRON Project Manager will provide sound technical management and coordination of IRC implementing team, for the successful implementation and achievement of project deliverables.
• He/She will be responsible for working with the IRC’s HeRON project team, to ensure that the program is executed according to work plan and budget, in line with donor policies and States’ government priorities, with particular focus on program quality and sustainability across health system strengthening components.
• He/She will be responsible for maintaining regular contact and supervision with the field staff and LGA authorities, ensuring quality monitoring of HeRON implementation and progress.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, Strategy and Partnerships:

• Provide managerial oversight to the IRC team for the implementation of HeRON program activities with high quality, meeting IRC/MoH/International standards.
• On a day-to-day basis, manage financial and operational support of the IRC implementing team to optimize resources through sound budgets and consistent financial tracking
• Coordination with HeRON state level managers to prepare project and execute work plans in line with HSS initiatives and health governance, with clear targets and deliverables (based on project indicators); manage timely and quality reporting processes, in accordance with HeRON grant requirements
• Provide technical support to project staff and provide them with necessary mentoring and trainings as needed, to build their capacity and enabling them to perform their tasks, including project management skills.
• Develop budget spend plans for IRC implementation, conduct reviews of BVAs monthly, and take necessary actions; ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently, and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation, and submission of all internal HeRON reports, including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and ad hoc reports.
• Participate in assessments and execution of heron pilots as planned
• Ensure constant liaison with MoH officials at LGA implementation level, to maintain partnerships and stakeholders’ engagement, in line with HeRON program strategy for sustainability
• Undertake regular field visits to monitor project implementation, provide on-the-spot technical support to field teams accordingly.
• Supervise and provide technical oversight in the interpretation of data for improved programming and implementation: Ensure regular program data analysis and review, take follow up action on project implementation, and prepare relevant action reports.
• Perform any other relevant task as directed by the line manager.

Coordination & Representation:

• Represent the project to State and Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required.
• In coordination with the consortium leadership, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, government actors, international and local NGOs, etc.
• Participate at coordination meetings: All HeRON consortium coordination related meetings, Field implementation meetings with partners, and any other relevant IRC internal meetings as required
• Participate at external coordination meetings (Health cluster, Nutrition cluster, relevant TWGs and Tsk forces, etc.) as required
• Facilitate field monitoring visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of IRC HeRON team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of his/her team.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures; and communicate through words and examples a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Key Working Relationships

• Line Manager:  HeRON Consortium Team Leader
• Indirect/Functional Reporting:  HeRON Deputy Team Lead
• Technical Collaboration: IRC Senior Program Coordinator (Health Outcome), HeRON Senior Managers (Program, M&E, Health Governance), HSS Advisors – MoH Embedded
• Position directly Supervises:   HeRON Manager – Yobe, HeRON Manager - Borno

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  Consortium Finance Coordinator, HeRON Pharmacy Manager, IRC’s relevant Sector Leads (Health, Nutrition, WASH)
• Region/Global: Health Technical Advisor, Governance Technical Advisor

Key External Contacts: 

• MoH Officials at State & LGA level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in health-related field, with a post-graduate qualification (Preferably Master’s degree) in Public Health, Development Studies, or any other relevant field.
• Previous Training in Project Management, Systems Strengthening, Leadership and Governance is an added advantage

Work Experience, Required Technical Skills & Leadership Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in coordination and implementation of health programs, specifically in management of health system strengthening (HSS) programs, working jointly with national, state, and/or local health actors to strengthen the quality and responsiveness of services.
• Technical expertise and working knowledge in advocacy, HSS and health governance; Technical skill in participatory processes, and methodologies, preferably in a conflict or post-conflict environment.
• Background in situation analysis, health assessments
• Demonstrated good judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to handle a large and dynamic workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Experience in general management, including financial and budget management, HR and logistics management
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams and working in tandem with local stakeholders
• Skills and experience of remote management and willingness to travel extensively; Flexible, diplomatic and have ability and willingness live and work under pressure of workloads
• Experience in reports writing and budgeting (organization and donor reporting)

Languages:

• English Fluency (spoken and written)

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. 

Ability to Travel:

• 30% ability to travel to field locations

Standards of Professional Conduct

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality:

• IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.