Technical Advisor (TA) - Project Management - Individual Contractor, Abuja at UNICEF

Reference No.: 538630
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Health, Consultancy

Scope of Work
Project Planning and Coordination:

• Provide technical thought-leadership and support for the implementation of the Gavi-supported activities and other assigned tasks towards strengthening COVID-19 response, national health security and resilience, as directed by supervisor
• Support the development of implementation strategy and methodology to ensure optimal utilization of available resources while meeting key milestones
• Support the development of NCDC partnership strategy including systems and procedures, internal governance and coordination structures to manage NCDC partnerships
• Provide support in the development of strategic documents (proposals, concept notes, framework, etc) and partnerships for health security
• Support in ensuring that strategic initiatives are implemented and tracked centrally and support strategic planning and resource management for NCDC programmes
• Actively contribute to the transfer of leadership and management skills to designated NCDC team to ensure capacity building

Project Implementation:

• Lead the day-to-day execution of project activities, manage workflows of assigned project officers and maintain schedules to meet key milestones at every project phase
• Monitor implementation to identify potential risks and implement creative mitigation actions to protect implementation process from unforeseen delays and costs.
• Ensure close collaboration and coordination with relevant stakeholders and provide periodic updated on project plans and progress
• Support in operationalising the governance structures within NCDC and ensure that roles and responsibilities managing partners are clear
• Support in collating and review NCDC programs annual operation plans and ensure program initiatives are tracked. Support in implementing sustainability structure
• Provide timely and accurate reporting of pipeline, strategic partnerships and management activities
• Pro-actively track project, activities, budgets and timelines to keep teams on task and achieve schedule targets
• Facilitate routine technical problem-solving sessions with the client and relevant stakeholders to brainstorm implementation challenges and align on decisions to guide the path forward

Project monitoring and reporting:

• Regularly monitor and review project activities to ensure quality, accountability, and contractual compliance with agreed deliverables and performance indicators as per the scope of work
• Lead the preparation of periodic program and financial reports and status of implementation of planned Gavi-supported activities
• Monitor project expenditure and ensure efficient utilization of project resources; liaise with Gavi and NCDC COVID-19 partnership Liaison Lead to adjust Project activities in-line with budget realities as required
• Performance management of strategic initiatives

Organizational learning and documentation:

• Support the documentation of the best practices in the development of projects and prepare sets of necessary materials, tools, and other resources
• Support routine archiving of all project documentation on the organization’s shared drive and oversee clean-up of all documents at the close of projects
• Participate in periodic organization-wide events to share critical insights from the project with other managers and directors
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Academic training: Minimum of Masters’ degree in International Development, Policy and Strategy Development, Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Management or similarly relevant fields
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience implementing development projects, with a good understanding of the operations of the government, donors, and other development organizations
• Experience with project planning/ management to include development of end-to-end project plans for health strategic initiatives, which include supported budgets, timelines and resource utilization;
• Consulting expertise: experience in strategy design or systems strengthening in a recognized consulting firm or health programme
• Certification as a Project Management Professional preferred, but not required.

Knowledge / Expertise / Skills required:

• Compelling evidence of interest in and commitment to the vision and mission of Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
• Demonstrated strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, thought leadership abilities, strategic planning and partnerships
• Advanced computer usage skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and working knowledge of a Project Management software (MS Project)
• Reliable people manager, able to manage and promote inclusive and diverse teams within the organization;
• Fast learner, open to learning from peers, subordinates, and supervisors collaboratively and at a rapid pace;
• Results oriented performer, experienced in developing and tracking self and team with clear Key Performance Indicators
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, ability to work with and lead interdisciplinary teams, knowledge of all facets of Program Management.
• Develop spreadsheets, diagrams and process maps to document needs
• Organizational skills, including multitasking and time-management