Sightsavers has an exciting vacancy for a Programme Manager to be responsible for the strategic leadership and overall direction for the effective delivery of the DFID funded Trachoma SAFE implementation programme. The Programme Manager will efficiently coordinate the inputs of International partners to ensure the programme objectives are met.
You will have excellent project management skills with the ability to fully understand the objectives of the DFID SAFE project. Demonstrable experience of leading on similar projects is essential preferably within an INGO setting. You will be expected to continually assess the project objectives and respond to change as and when necessary.
The ideal candidate will possess at least a master’s degree in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Development Studies, Disability and Community Development Public Health) and have extensive experience in project management and working with Government Departments and other key partners. A proven career in managing large budgets and can demonstrate a record of accomplishment in developing and managing development programmes is essential.
Job Purpose: Responsible and accountable for the strategic leadership and overall direction for the effective delivery of the DFID funded Trachoma SAFE Implementation programme in Zambia, efficiently coordinating the inputs of International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) partners Sightsavers, as well as other implementing partners and government offices to ensure programme objectives are met.
Principal Accountabilities:
1. Strategic Program Planning (25%)
· Ensure a full understanding of the Strategic Objectives of the DFID SAFE project, and in that context, lead the management of the Country plan.
· Define the scope of the SAFE components of the program in collaboration with the National Eye Health Coordinator, Director – Disease Control and Surveillance (MOH), as well as MLGH and key implementing partners.
· Facilitate the annual and 3 year detailed work-plan which identifies and sequences activities needed to successfully implement the full SAFE Program in the most cost-effective manner and ensure program objectives are met in line with WHO Trachoma Elimination Goals and ICTC principles
· Assess and respond as necessary to changes in the external environment and/or to the emergence of new evidence arising from programme reviews and facilitate review meetings with all key stakeholders
· Review the project schedule with key implementing partners, NTTF and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities and revise the schedule as required
· In collaboration with County Disease Control Teams, NPBC , NTTF and key implementing partners , lead the development of partner specific action and implementation plans to scale up TT surgery & MDA up-take in their respective areas of work
· Provide leadership and guidance in implementation of the m-health component of the project to ensure accurate and up-to-date data collection for both TT surgery and MDA.
· Coordinating with technical partners, relevant ministries and technical staff, define the overall F+E approach for approval by the ICTC F+E working group.
· Ensure correct planning for the roll out of the F+E strategy within the full SAFE programme
2. Program Management (35% of time)
· Support ICTC partners in developing strategic programmes/projects ensuring that they make use of recommended best practices in programme delivery
· Ensure program partners execute the S, A, F & E components of the project according to their respective project component plans
· Work with the ICTC members to document the S, A, F & E project activities and ensure that all S, A, F & E project information is appropriately secured
· Monitor the progress of implementation of all components of the program and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the project remains on track and of high quality
· Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including country Ministries of Community Development and Ministry of Health (as well as Education and Local Government and Housing where appropriate), key implementing partners and appropriate staff within Sightsavers head office on the progress of implementation of the project and organise an agreed upon number of collaborative face to face consortia meetings with all implementing partners as necessary .
· Review the quality of the work conducted by the county field teams on a regular basis to ensure that it meets WHO/ICTC standards
· Support implementing partners to establish and maintain effective relationships with the county ministries of Health and Ministry of Community Development and facilitate the integration of their action plans into the county health delivery systems.
3. Program Monitoring & Evaluation (20%)
· Support county teams in developing systems for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the S&A components of the programme.
· Ensure a sound monitoring and evaluation of F+E components of the programme is rolled out and implemented
· Monitor progress against objectives. Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality
· Annually evaluate the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase
· Provide direction and support to assist country teams and help them to identify operational research opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Trachoma elimination efforts.
· Produce the narrative and financial reports for Sightsavers as per the reporting schedule
· Ensure partners submit narrative reports on time and review all reports to ensure tight coordination of the programme across the counties.
4. Advocacy and Strategic Alliances (15% of time)
· Build and maintain meaningful working relationships with both government and key civil society stakeholders at county and national levels in order to strengthen opportunities for advocacy and higher visibility.
· Develop relationships with other NGOs to support funding and delivery of services, including NGOs in the WASH sector.
· Represent Sightsavers at appropriate national/regional/global forums Ensure the information flow on the implementation experience of SAFE is maintained across the Sightsavers’ country team, Program Directors, the MoH and other key implementing partners.
5. Research (5% of time)
· Assist district teams and county & National Ministries of Health and implementing partners in disseminating information on S&A Program activities, studies, research and lessons learned at county, national and international levels.
· Work in close collaboration with key Sightsavers colleagues and implementing partners to ensure that all S, A, F & E components provide info for any relevant research work
NOTE: The principle accountabilities are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. The need for flexibility is required and the job holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
Job-holder entry requirements - the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours required
Essential
Knowledge (Education and Related Experience):
· Extensive programme management experience, with responsibility for large budgets, preferably in the area of Trachoma or public health
· A demonstrated record of accomplishment in developing and managing public health programmes.
· Extensive experience of coordinating a large consortium grant
· Successfully managing complex relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including providing management and advice from a distance
· Effective management of large and complex (multi-sectoral) projects
· Coordinating technical support and advice to programme staff and partners
· Generation and effective use of programme learning to improve practice and to support advocacy and communications
· Understanding of the health system in Zambia
· Experience of advocacy.
· Experience of monitoring and evaluation.
· Experience of logistics and supply chain management
Skills (Special Training or Competence):
· Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
· Excellent analytical skills.
· Ability to influence high-level Ministry officials at both district and national levels.
· Ability to build strong working relationships to enable effective management of complex partnerships and work collaboratively as part of a global team.
· Proven ability to think strategically and translate concepts into effective action plans.
· Excellent presentation skills.
· Use a high level of communication skills, both written and verbal, in technical areas to foster partnerships, motivate others and support advocacy objectives.
· Skills to network and form effective and constructive working relationships across the whole organisation and wider network within sector.
· Project management skills.
· Ability to deliver group training sessions.
· People management skills with a strong diplomatic understanding of culturally and ethnically sensitive issues.
· Able to travel regularly on a national and international basis.
· Demonstrate and inspire others to consistently seek innovative work methods and continuous improvement.
· An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people.
· Ability to represent a range of partners
A comprehensive understanding of the Zambia Health System Structure, Organization and Operations and how the devolved health system works will be a distinct advantage
Core behaviours:
· Communicating and influencing
· Team working
· Planning and organising
· Change and improvement
· Decision making
· Delivery and implementation
Key Relationships (Internal)
Project Director
NTD Finance Manager
Director, Finance and Performance
Director of NTDs
Sightsavers NTDs department, including the Global disease technical leads
Regional Directors, Development/ Country Directors
Technical Advisors
Head of Research
Government Relations
Policy Team
Funding & Marketing
Key Relationships (External)
Project implementing partners/NGOs
County and National Ministries of Community Development and Health
NTD communities in country
NGOS in the eye-health sector
Consultants and contractors
Other Comments
Local terms and conditions will apply.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, and for further details about the role, please download an application pack fromhttp://www.sightsavers.org/vacancies
As an equal opportunities employer we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.