State Project Manager at Malaria Consortium

 Job purpose

The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management, coordination and harmonization of the Nigeria component of this multi-country multi-donor project. Lead project implementation activities ensuring consistency with the overall multi-country programme’s performance framework, and in line with Malaria Consortium’s core values. S/he will lead the project team in the states and liaise closely with the Senior Project Manager, keeping the Project Director in the loop.

Key accountabilities

Project Management (60%)

• Work with the programme team and other relevant personnel in the country office to lead activities for smooth project start up and planning in line with the SMC Malaria Project Implementation Plan.
• Work with the relevant personnel to prepare all necessary project start up and planning tools on time.
• To build and performance manage an effective and technically unsurpassed SMC project team in their states.
• Work directly with the SPM and be responsible for coordinating overall project implementation in the states and see that activities are carried out on time and within budget.
• Liaise regularly with the SPM to provide timely and comprehensive updates and reports as required.
• Liaise with other partners relevant for successful SMC malaria implementation in the state.
• Line manages an effective and technically sound SMC project team in the state.
• Liaise with state stakeholders to get their buy-in and ensure effective implementation of SMC activities in the state.
• Ensure the mass drug distribution campaign is carried out according to guidelines, and in compliance to donor funding requirements.
• Organize and participate in the training of State, LGA and community volunteers' teams involved in the distribution activities.
• Participate in the state and LGA level microplanning meetings for the distribution activities.
• Be responsible for timely financial accountability for any disbursed funds for project activities in the state.
• Support SMOH to develop SMC scale – up plan especially in the period after the project period.
• Duty of care on all campaign personnel.
• Work with the project team to develop and implement annual work plans.
• Work closely with the SPM to prepare the programme monitoring and evaluation plan in conjunction with the Project M&E Manager. Work with the project team to implement it.
• Work with the country finance team and project finance associate to prepare and track progress of project and activity budgets.
• Be responsible for zonal project budget management and reporting.
• Be responsible for preparing project progress report, which is submitted to the SPM and regional programme director quarterly, including narrative reports on a timely basis.
• Work with finance team and SPM to prepare quarterly financial reports.
• Work with the relevant country personnel and the SPM to prepare an exit strategy and to implement it, to see to the smooth end of the programme.
• Coordinate with other donors and implementers to ensure complementarity of implementation of the SMC malaria project in project states by leveraging resources and harmonizing efforts where possible.
• Work with the Country Communication Manager, the Country Technical Coordinator, SPM, for social mobilization to see that a programme communications strategy is developed and implemented.
• Coordinate the documentation of SMC supported activities in form of activity-specific reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Contribute to SMC coordination meetings in form of progress updates and power point presentations.
• Be responsible for quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination.
• Be responsible for building functional partner relationships among the project’s stakeholders.
• Oversee project partners inputs and subcontractors’ activities to deliver harmonized, aligned and effective outputs.
• Manage risks to Malaria Consortium including financial, reputation and security in a challenging environment.

Technical contributions (10%)

• Work with the project teams, SPM and the Country Technical Coordinator to determine technical support needs to implement the project effectively and with high quality. Liaise with the Country Technical Coordinator to obtain regional or global technical support.
• Contribute to the development and production of dissemination documents to allow wider sharing of Malaria Consortium’s experiences, lessons and successes.

Technical performance management and Quality Assurance (20%)

• Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating project performance.
• Keep abreast with evidence and best practices that are related to the project.

Representation (10%)

• Work with the Country Director, Country Technical Coordinator and SPM to participate in national level meetings and workshops to represent Malaria Consortium at programmatic and coordination events,
• Work with the Country Director, Country Technical Coordinator and SPM to keep key national stakeholders abreast with the project.
• To exert influence and to advocate for Malaria Consortium’s key technical positions and promote best practice in SMC interventions.

​Qualifications and experience:        

• Postgraduate or Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty is a minimum requirement.
• Extensive experience of working at national or state level in developing countries.
• Excellent project planning, management and monitoring & evaluation skills.
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Proven leadership skills and team leading.
• Experience in advocacy and policy influencing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience on SMC-supported project.
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Work-based skills and competencies:           

• Proof of strong interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Experience in using participatory adult learning techniques and previous experience in mass drug distribution campaign activities.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills are also needed.
• Understanding of public health issues in Nigeria