Jobs at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

About your role 

The Chief of Party leads and manages the project and is accountable for project deliverables and results, with full accountability and authority for the development, execution, and monitoring of the project, including vision and technical strategy; project management; documentation and communication; client(s) stakeholder(s) relationships; and coordination and synergy with other MSH projects. This accountability includes effective contribution to business and resource development activities - including positioning, intelligence gathering, and proposal development - that contribute to fueling MSH’s mission, 

How will YOU accomplish this? 

As the COP you will be expected to provide technical leadership and managerial oversight for, and ensure the efficient implementation of, all project strategies and activities. Specific areas of accountability could include: 

• Oversee program activities and provides high-quality technical and strategic leadership, managerial oversight, and project administration.  
• Serve as the primary project liaison from MSH to the donor and is accountable for the achievement of results, ensuring quality of services is maintained at the highest standard, and that all project objectives and deliverables are met.  
• Safeguard MSH’s reputation by ensuring that financial, contractual, technical, and political integrity is maintained and strengthened.   
• Develop (update and adapt as needed) and execute project results framework, performance monitoring plan, technical strategy, MERL plan and annual work plans as per contract/agreement requirements, MSH technical frameworks and standards. b. Ensure appropriate and timely documentation and dissemination of key results and deliverables for maximum project impact and business development using a variety of communication strategies and media.  
• Ensure effective contract/agreement implementation in strict compliance with contract/agreement clauses, MSH and donor policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).  
• Ensure project staffing, structure and reporting relationships are aligned with project needs, local context and available resources.  
• Manage and mentor the project team as per MSH policies and guidelines and implement an effective performance-management program including regular check-ins, annual appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching and career development support.  
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.  
• Identify and keep track of new business opportunities, communicating them to the relevant internal MSH stakeholders. 

Specific requirements for this role are: 

• MPH, MBA or master's level degree in related field.  
• 10+ of progressively responsible, related experience is required.  
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in technical content (health financing and human resources for health) relevant to the project.  
• Demonstrated leadership and management abilities.  
• Prior experience and success directing similar or larger international donor-funded projects. Demonstrated strategic planning and visioning skills.  
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and administrative procedures in the implementation of donor assisted projects.  
• Proven record of aligning diverse, multi-level teams with project mission and vision.  
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.  
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, USAID, CAs, and donor organizations.  
• Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.  
• Fluency in English

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This position will be responsible for all Healthcare Financing and Human Resources for Health Forecast program and technical direction, ensuring that staffing is aligned with the Healthcare Financing and Human Resources for Health vision, goals, and plans to achieve the program results. With guidance and support of the Chief of Party (COP), the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will coordinate the provision of technical services, harmonize efforts and maximize synergy and integration between project program areas and units including health financing, health information systems, human resources for health, quality improvement and governance. The DCOP will set a positive tone for the entire project and inspire staff to apply results-based approaches for timely delivery of services to the clients we serve including but not limited to timely producing high-quality documentation of project’s successes and lessons learned for local and international audiences, as well as quarterly reports. 

How will YOU accomplish this? 

As the Technical Director you will be expected to provide technical leadership and support the efficient implementation of project strategies and activities. Specific areas of accountability could include:

• Provide technical leadership and managerial oversight for the project and ensure the efficient implementation of project activities and the timely reporting of those activities to regional and country specific donors, and MSH headquarters.  
• Coordinate project liaison and collaboration with partners, donors, various USAID country missions, clients and stakeholders, including MSH headquarters. Maintain a USAID/Healthcare Financing and Human Resources for Health Forecast partnership that engenders trust and respect and build USAID’s confidence in MSH’s ability to get the job done.  
• Work in close collaboration with the project leadership team to ensure coordinated and effective operational support for the project and for MSH within the various countries and the region.  Serve as a member of the Abuja, Nigeria Leadership Team.  
• With the F&A Director, adapt and implement management systems with standard operating procedures to administer all activities funded by the agreement.  
• Promote a team approach that emphasizes high level performance, creative approaches, the achievement of personal and project goals and a collegial approach that is focused on assisting one another to succeed for project staff in Nigeria, as well as the support team members in the Home Office.  
• Ensure effective coordination is established and maintained with the relevant MSH country Operational Support Team (OST).  
• When appropriate, act in place of the COP.  
• Advise the COP in alignment of human resources with project work plans and emerging SOW from the donors, MSH and partners including on external sourcing of human resources and consultants.  
• The DCOP will set direction and coordinate annual workplan development, implementation, and review. S/he will ensure alignment with regional frameworks and strategies, national and donor strategies in each country – including USAID strategies. The DCOP will identify opportunities for integrated planning and implementation creating synergies between various program areas. The DCOP shall guide and coach project staff in leveraging project, non-project and community resources through the establishment and maintenance of partnerships and networks.  
• S/he will direct efforts to write concept notes and new programs to address emerging health and programming challenges identified by donors, host countries or through the work we do. Contribute to a knowledge management system where the donor vision and government values permeate through our clients to reach beneficiary communities, and the learning from grassroots and countries is documented and shared to influence new programming at national and regional levels. 

Specific requirements for this role are: 

• An advanced degree at the master's level or above in social science, public health, or other appropriate area is required.  
• 8+ of experience in the implementation and management of international development projects, specifically, with combined experience in two or more technical areas such as health systems strengthening, health finance, and human resources for health.  
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, USAID and other donor organizations.  
• Demonstrated experience in program management and administration, and contract compliance. Experience with USAID projects is strongly preferred.  
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience. Must have a proven track record of building teams and fostering collaboration to achieve goals, meet milestones, and produce high-quality written qualitative, quantitative, and narrative deliverables.  
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and administrative procedures in the implementation of donor assisted projects.  
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.  
• Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.  
• Fluency in English required. 

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The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) reports to the Chief of Party and works closely with the project leadership team to provide high-level financial management and operations leadership, contract and grant management support. S/he ensures that financial and operational functions support the timely and effective implementation of the project’s technical scope of work. S/he provides counsel to help project leadership ensure that resources are allocated and used in compliance with contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and appropriate standards and procedures. The DFA will liaise with the project leadership team, local partners, USAID and MSH’s headquarters regarding any aspects of program implementation, contractual, risk management, cost share, governance and all other matters related to finance and administration. S/he will work with the project leadership team to ensure that all expenditures, payment, procurement, vehicle management are done according to USAID and MSH standards and regulations. The DFA provides authoritative leadership on all 2 budget, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting and contract matters to ensure timely and effective implementation of the program's activities in Abuja, Nigeria The Director of Finance and Administration will oversee the financial management for all Name of Project activity in Abuja, Nigeria. This includes oversight of procurement, grants, construction, logistics, accounting and finance, and records. This individual will be responsible for managing the contract budget and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID. S/he will ensure funds expended are compliant with USG regulations and policies. S/he will implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support the award's implementation. 

How will YOU accomplish this? 

As the Director: Finance and Administration you will be expected to provide authoritative leadership on all budget, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting and contract matters to ensure timely and effective implementation of the program's activities in Madagascar. This includes oversight of procurement, grants, construction, logistics, accounting and finance, and records. You will be responsible for managing the contract budget and preparing financial reports for submission to USAID. You will ensure funds expended are compliant with US Government regulations and policies and implement fraud mitigation practices and ensure systems and processes are implemented effectively to support implementation of the award. Specific areas of accountability will include:  

Financial Management activities such as: 

• Lead program annual budget development process that includes managing the annual work plan, life-of-project and activity budgets and ensuring compliance of program expenditures with approved budgets; ensure the consistency, inclusion and accuracy of costs and that they comply with agreed policy and practices, and work with staff in developing budgets for technical activities as necessary. Revise overall and sub-budgets as needed throughout the work plan year.  
• Maintain systems for program budget monitoring and tracking that include financial and contractual data. Provide routine pipeline analyses to COP and USAID. Also, provide any ad hoc reports requested by USAID. In addition, perform routine financial analysis on program expenditures, documenting and monitoring overall performance, analyzing trends, identifying gaps to ensure efficient and sound project management.  
• Responsible for coordination of contract management activities. Work with program staff, home office and partners to draft, manage and monitor implementation of contracts. Provide routine progress reports to program management team.  
• Serves as a local office lead with MSH headquarters for preparation of budgets and budget amendments to be submitted to USAID. Submission to the USAID officer shall be reviewed by the MSH contracts officer or Senior Contracts officer prior to submission.  
• Monitor adjustments to the annual budget whenever required.  
• Coordinate monthly requests of funds, based on budget and cash flow projections, to ensure the program has all the necessary funds for the operations.  
• Review purchase orders and confer with team leader for approval, prior to issuance of the purchase orders for program procurement of commercial goods and services within agreed upon thresholds.  
• Ensure all program staff is trained on USAID Rules and Regulations and compliance with the Cooperative Agreement or Contract. 

Grant Management activities such as: 

• Supervise grant and contract administration functions. Supervise the grant management team for the project.  
• Correspond as necessary with grantees, local subcontractors, and MSH Home Office.  
• Lead the grants program design; make recommendations to the Chief of Party for selecting the grant instruments.  
• Manage the development of the Request for Applications; determine appropriate deadlines and scope of work. Collaborate with the Corporate Contract Office in the development and revision of all grant templates.  
• Participate and be a voting member of the selection committee. Prepare, present, and negotiate grants; amend as needed.  
• Document the process by which grantees are selected for awards; notifies applicants and other stakeholders of award decisions.  
• Conduct pre-award surveys of the grantees and complete capacity building plans and compliance monitoring plans for each grantee.  
• Oversee compliance with the terms and conditions of the grants. Provide technical assistance to grantees to build their capacity.  
• Monitor grantees’ compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant and the grantees’ policies and procedures.  
• Keep abreast of, interpret, and provide training and guidance to project staff and grantees on all donor regulations and policies (including Circulars A-110, A-122). Educate program staff and grantees on agreement compliance and operational topics.  
• Approve invoices and payments to grantees. Supervise all aspects of grant close out. 

Administration activities such as: 

• Collaborate with the Chief of Party to (a) ensure that project activities and management operations are implemented as per MSH Mission, values, and policies, and standard operating procedures, and local laws and regulations, and (b) to safeguard MSH's reputation - Financial, Contractual and political integrity.  
• Supports the Chief of Party in the management of the project, aligning staff, systems, and other resources with the annual work plan and budget to provide timely, cost effective, responsive, and high quality operations and administrative support within local laws and available resources, and in an environment with adequate internal controls, adhering to contracts regulations, MSH Policies, and standard operating procedures.  
• Ensure timely submission of administrative and financial reports to the team leader and corporate operations office as required.  
• Provides administrative supervision to the project specific support staff and is accountable for their performance management (including regular results, check-ins, formal appraisals, supportive supervision, rewards, training, coaching and career development support).  
• In liaison with the project leadership team, coordinates, execution of internal/external financial, operations, and program reviews or audits, and ensure timely follow up to review or audit conclusions and recommendations.  
• Participates in project risk register development and implementation and takes proactive steps to mitigate risks within operational functions.  
• Take responsibility for risk management and good governance. 

General Activities such as: 

•  Ensure project actions are governed by the highest standards of personal and business conduct as stipulated in policy guidelines.  
• Contribute to maintaining teamwork, discipline, sound work relationships and productivity.  Ensure that unit staff charges their time to the different project activities in a manner which accurately reflects their level of effort. 

 This list is not exhaustive, and we would expect our DFA leaders to be both innovative and strategic in suggesting and implementing new methods to achieve the outcomes and impact desired by our client and needed by the people the project aims to serve.  

 Specific requirements for this role are:  

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, and accounting or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience.  
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience managing, in increasing roles of responsibility, finance, procurement, contracts management, construction and/or logistics related matters for international development activities of similar dollar value.  
• At least eight years’ experience in financial and operational management of complex international development assistance programs.  
• Significant experience with USAID-funded projects preferably in Abuja, Nigeria with regional field experience strongly desirable, USAID experience highly desirable.  
• Thorough knowledge of USAID financial reporting and compliance requirements.  
• Strong leadership, mentoring, management, planning, analytical and organizational skills shown by working independently and within a team, assessing priorities, and managing various activities with attention to detail.  
• Proven leadership and capacity in negotiation and conflict management.  
• Demonstrated experience of providing technical assistance to organization and conducting training.  
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills with fluency in English. Proficient computer skills.  
• Experience in maintaining excellent communication with Headquarters.  
• Ability to travel.  
• Local candidates strongly preferred. 

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The Director, MEL will oversee the monitoring and evaluation and learning system for reporting progress and ensuring availability and use of quality data for adaptive management and maintain reporting procedures and guidelines in compliance with USAID systems. The Director, MEL will be expected to develop a strong monitoring and evaluation and learning system and plan consistent with the USAID results framework, coordinate the collection of data including conducting field visits for data validation, monitor the quality of data sets, contribute to the adaptive management of the program, oversee the development, maintenance and use of the project technical information management system, and document project performance against established outputs and indicators. S/he will also be responsible for building the capacity of the Government of Nigeria, Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders in the collection, utilization, and dissemination of data as well as ensuring that all monitoring and data collection activities are harmonized, and information is shared. The Director, MEL will also assist the MOH to monitor programs and assess the robustness of implementing organizations’ data collection and MEL mechanisms. 

How will YOU accomplish this? 

• Design and implement the Project’s MEL system, including the development of indicators, setting targets, monitoring project progress, ensuring timely data collection, writing quarterly and annual reports, and liaising with the project financial team to track the budget in relation to all project results and outcomes.  
• Provide technical inputs to the technical team to assist in developing program goals and objectives as well as MEL tools and strategies and provide monitoring data to strategically inform the decisions on project performance and future direction to the project, for enhanced adaptive management.  
• Oversee the development, maintenance and use of the project technical information management system, and its interoperability with the national health information management system. Support the MOH to develop a health sector MEL framework and monitor health system strengthening interventions.  
• Provide regularly updated reports on the status of implementation against the project goals and objectives to the Chief of Party, USAID and other program managers as required.  
• Collaborate with the project team in identifying project activities, processes and/or outcomes that are worthy of documentation and design a system for capturing lessons learned and best practices. Adhere to MSH procurement integrity and institutional standards and procedures in all project management responsibilities. 

Specific requirements for this role are:  

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline and at least 8 years of demonstrated experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities and special studies for complex programs in developing countries.  
• Excellent command of monitoring and evaluation methodologies.  
• Knowledge of issues related to integrated health services and support programs. 
• Previous experience implementing and managing a rigorous MEL system including developing performance monitoring plans that track performance as sub-results/results and by funding stream.  
• Knowledge of data collection protocols to ensure accurate data collection and verification is essential, as well as an ability to identify data trends and communicate this information to allow for changes in program implementation. 
• MEL experience in the health sector desired, particularly in health systems strengthening.  
• Operations research experience is desired.  
• Past experience leading and building the capacity of MEL officers, including remote, field-based staff, to meet program needs and deliverables is desired. 
• Proven expertise in the management / supervision of health management information systems.  
• Extraordinary organizational, verbal and written communication skills to manage project communications and disseminate project information are required.