JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Country Programmes Manager Location: Abuja Department: Programmes Length of contract: Indefinite Role type: Global Grade: 10 Travel involved: Yes Child safeguarding level: TBC Reporting to: West and Central Africa Programmes Director Direct reports: Project Managers Dotted line manager: N/a Indirect reports: N/a Organisational background Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions. We work in Africa and Asia with communities, governments, academic institutions, and local and international organisations, to ensure effective delivery of services, which are supported by strong evidence. Our areas of expertise include: disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment disease control and elimination systems strengthening research, monitoring and evaluation leading to best practice behaviour change communication national and international advocacy and policy development Country and project background The Nigeria Country Office in Abuja, started operations in 2008, through the DFID/UKaid funded Support To National Malaria Programme, SuNMaP (2008 2016). The office had presence in 23 states of the country and has managed at various times, about 15 programmes and projects. It follows the mandate of the parent organization in Nigeria and has been working specifically in the following areas: Malaria control/elimination; Integrated community case management (iccm) for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea; Nutrition; and 1
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Job purpose The Country Programmes Manager (CPM) provides leadership in the management of a portfolio of programmes derived both in-country and from MC Nigeria multi-country programmes with a Nigerian component as well as perform selected country office management functions. Scope of work The position holder will ensure that project implementation, reporting and financial expenditure, are in line with the programme proposals and operational plans whilst ensuring that programme targets are met. He/she will be involved in needs assessments, development of project concept notes and proposals as well as representing Malaria Consortium Nigeria in various forms both nationally and internationally. S/he will be responsible for delivery of specific support and services to the projects e.g. value for money, project management. S/he will make contributions to the development and periodic review of relevant MC Nigeria systems and policies. Key working relationships The CPM will be a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will report to the Country Director. S/he will work very closely with all departments (Technical, Finance, Logistics, HR & Admin) while supervising project managers to ensure that all Malaria Consortium Nigeria projects are implemented in line with donor guidelines and Malaria Consortium policies and procedures. Key accountabilities 1. Strategic planning and management (20%) Provide strategic planning support to the West and Central Africa Programmes Director with a particular focus on ensuring the relevance of Malaria Consortium s role in Nigeria Provide effective support and oversight to managers of project delivering services to ensure that implementation occurs according to operational plans Support the West and Central Africa Programmes Director in identifying new business development opportunities which will include identifying areas of interest and identifying potential project partnerships Ensure regular communications are maintained between the different departments particularly between field teams, and with Abuja office Work with the West and Central Africa Programmes Director in the identification, tracking, prevention and management of key programme risks especially those related to implementation 2. Programme management (60%) Develop and implement work plans, ensuring that different donor grants 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 2
Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the team, local stakeholders and project partners Work with the West and Central Africa Programmes Director to monitor the evolving security and humanitarian situation in the project implementation sites, especially in the North East Zone and consider operational and immediate responses to it Travel to the field as necessary to provide support and oversight to the field teams Ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate Maintain a good and proactive collaboration with the local authorities and partners Work with the Country Technical Coordinator to see that lessons and experiences are documented, and that programme improvement is data-driven Maintain the project risk register and ensure that any actions required to mitigate risks are implemented 3. Logistics, finance and administration (10%) Ensure projects are efficiently and accurately managed within allowable line item flexibility and there is full accountability of resources Ensure familiarity with Malaria Consortium and donor compliance issues, ensuring all projects are compliant with these Work with Country Finance Manager, Country Operations Coordinator and Country Director to prepare projected programme expenditures Work with the Country Finance Manager to monitor expenditure and budget compliance on a regular basis, report any concerns to the Country Director and develop plans to mitigate any under or over expenditure at grant level Closely monitor projects budget spending and burn rates Review donor reporting on medium risk projects, including those with a budget of between one million to five million GBP Work closely with the finance team to ensure timely financial reporting and assistance at audits for the projects Work closely with the logistics team to ensure that all items required for the projects are procured in a timely manner and in line with donor requirement 4. Human Resource Management (5%) Contribute to recruitment and selection of staffing for projects Line manages project managers and programme assistant using performance-based management approaches 5. Representation (5%) As delegated by the West and Central Africa Programmes Director: Carry out representation with other NGOs, UN agencies, local and national government bodies, donors and other relevant parties Represent Malaria Consortium in Nigeria, regionally and internationally as required 3
Person specification Qualifications and experience: Essential Postgraduate qualification in International development, public health, business administration, project management or similar. Significant hands-on experience in project management or management of large or multicountry programmes ideally in low or middle income countries Strong team management skills with experience of working in disparate teams Experience of managing projects with a budget size of over 5 million GBP Experience working in a humanitarian context Experience in proposal development and reporting Significant experience in budget holding duties Experience working in a multi-cultural team Desirable Experience working in Nigeria Programme management qualification e.g. PRINCE2 Experience managing donor grants such as GFATM, DFID, USAID or UNITAID Experience working on maternal and child health programmes, including community health delivery Work-based skills: Essential Solid understanding of project management practices Ability to manage and prioritize high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines Ability to work under stressful conditions and to remain flexible and calm under pressure Excellent problem solving skills Proven ability to deliver high quality projects on time and within budget Capable of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written Excellent presentation skills Excellent negotiation skills A team player, with a friendly attitude Proactive and takes initiative as required Results-oriented work ethics 4
Desirable Project Monitoring and Evaluation skills Good capacity building skills especially mentoring and coaching Conversant with public health principles Core competencies: Delivering results LEVEL D - Inspires wider teams to achieve outstanding results and to manage risks Proactively improves effectiveness and performance of other senior staff to increase ability to meet objectives, acquiring new skills when appropriate Encourages mitigating risks amongst the teams/groups they work with/ manage Ensures the quality of all internal/external work of own and others Analysis and use of information LEVEL D - Analyses the external environment confidently Generates a range of policy options and appraises them based on the internal and external evidence Develops ways of applying new knowledge and ensures lesson-learning with self and wider team Analyses the significance of external events and situations for Malaria Consortium Interpersonal and communications LEVEL C - Adapts communications effectively Tailors communication (content, style and medium) to diverse audiences Communicates equally effectively at all organisational levels Understands others' underlying needs, concerns and motivations and communicates effectively in sensitive situations Resolves intra-team and inter-team conflicts effectively Collaboration and partnering LEVEL C - Builds strong networks internally and participates actively in external networks and think tanks Builds strong networks internally Participates actively in external networks and/or think tanks Engages with relevant experts to gather and evaluate evidence Shares and implements good practice with internal and external peers Leading and motivating people LEVEL D - Champions ownership of corporate decisions Encourages their team to develop their individual potential continuously, creates a learning culture Demonstrates complete commitment to the achievement of the business goals, motivating others to deliver Spots, develops and promotes talent across teams whether or not in their own functional area 5
Flexibility/adaptability LEVEL D - Clarifies priorities and ensures learning from experience Clarifies priorities when leading change Sees and shows others the benefits of strategic change Helps colleagues/ team members to practise stress management through prioritisation of workloads and modelling of appropriate self-management and care Makes time to learn from experience and feedback, and apply the lessons to new situations Living the values LEVEL D - Acts as a role model in promoting Malaria Consortium s values Champions and takes ownership of corporate decisions, values and standards and ensures team members implement them in a positive manner Acts as role model internally and externally in promoting Malaria Consortium's values Is accountable for ensuring that cultural awareness is demonstrated across the area(s) they manage Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness LEVEL C - Keeps up to date with the internal and external environment Takes into account economic, political and other business factors when drawing up medium and long-term plans, covering both public and private sectors Looks beyond the immediate operations to prospects for new business Engages with appropriate internal and external sources to establish major influences on future plans 6