Posted on: Tue 27-12-2016

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on Health and HIV, Agriculture/Livelihoods and Emergency Response programming.

Health and HIV programming for CRS in Nigeria has undergone significant growth over the past 2 years and currently includes projects in the areas of malaria, HIV, childhood tuberculosis, polio eradication, nutrition, WASH and health systems strengthening. While these projects will likely change over the course of time, growth and positioning are critical in building CRS’ reputation in the health sector. The Head of Unit for Health Programs will facilitate high quality health programming as well as position CRS in Nigeria for growth in health sector programming.

Position /Title: Head of Unit, Health Programs

Program/Department: Programs

Location: Abuja

Reports To:   Deputy Country Representative (Health)

Band: F-1

 

Primary Responsibilities

The HOU Health Programs directly oversees the work of CRS in the health system strengthening, polio eradication, nutrition, and Global Fund sub-recipient projects while working with the leads of other CRS health programs to ensure high program quality.

1. Program Quality

• Oversee the implementation of the Global Fund HIV, Core Group Polio Program, and upcoming programs.

• Document technical assistance activities of the health team and manage a process of distilling and disseminating lessons learned.

• Ensure that strategic objectives and results of health programs are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.

• Ensure that vision and plans for the program are innovative and are in line with CRS agency and country program strategies.

• Oversee periodic technical reviews and manage changes in program direction and focus.

• Provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that lessons of sound practice are documented and disseminated.

• In collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator, oversee the unit’s monitoring and evaluation system, using data analysis as the basis for measuring performance. Ensure that MEAL is incorporated into evolving program plans. Collaborate with Regional and Headquarters technical staff to identify and implement appropriate ICT4D solutions to improve timeliness and quality of MEAL and project implementation.

• Ensure integration of program interventions with other CRS programs or through linkages with other service providers.

• Ensure effective gender-mainstreaming in both programming and management aspects of implementation.

• With program staff, ensure the delivery of quality training, technical assistance and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies, including the selection and coordination of consultants.

B. Financial & Operational

• Manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources as per USAID/USG and Global Fund guidelines and circulars.

• Ensure procurement policies, specifically restricted goods, are managed in line with USAID and Global Fund guidance and protocols.

• Ensure accurate and timely management of program budget and tracking of financial and material resources.

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status; review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.

• Ensure staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.

• Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.

C. Representation, Coordination and Advocacy

• Work with Deputy Country Representative (Health), Chiefs of Party and Project Directors of Health and related programs to ensure intra-sectoral collaboration and engagement across CRS health programs towards enhancing program quality.

• Develop strong relationships with donors, peer organizations and indigenous organizations in accordance with CRS partnership principles while ensuring that all members of the health unit observe the same principles.

• Coordinate with regional and HQ based technical advisors to leverage innovations on CRS’ global capacity.

• In collaboration with CR, DCR and COPs, strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.

• In collaboration with the Deputy Country Representative(s) oversee program communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements, as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.

 

D. Human Resource Management

• Lead, manage and supervise a team of technical experts, CRS in Nigeria staff, and consortium staff to meet program objectives.

• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.

• Manage recruitment portfolio for the program, in collaboration with Human Resources and CRS country program management, to ensure optimum service delivery through recruitment of competent and qualified staff.

 

E. Facilitate learning and Knowledge Management

• In close collaboration with the Deputy Country Representative, promote identification, documentation and exchange of lessons learned and best practices among the CRS in Nigeria health programs.

• Facilitate establishment a community of practice for CRS in Nigeria health technical staff as well other stakeholders.

• Coordinate and support the MEAL Coordinator in developing and conducting surveys, assessments and studies.

• Provide inputs into developing communications and networking systems, newsletter, website, events with Government and other stakeholders.

• Identify and design appropriate studies and prepare abstracts to participate and represent the country program in national, regional and global forums.

 

F.  Growth Pre-Positioning/Capture Planning

• Work with the Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) and Deputy Country Representative (Health) to identify upcoming growth opportunities in health and nutrition in line with the Country Program (CP) and health programs growth strategy.

• Prepare capture plans and collect intelligence around upcoming health and nutrition opportunities.

• Prepare and update capacity statements and past performance reference documents for CRS in Nigeria’s health programs.

• Assist the SBDM and senior management team in forming strong and competitive consortiums, and in the preparation of teaming agreements. This will entail developing and maintaining competitor and partner analysis.

 

Agency Wide Competences (For all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity

• Models Stewardship

• Cultivates Constructive Relationships

• Promotes Learning

 

Key working relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Deputy County Representative(s), Chiefs of Parties, Project Directors, Project Coordinators, Technical Advisors, Senior Program Managers

External: GoN representatives at State and Local levels, leadership, NACA, CCM, CGPP Secretariat Director, donor agencies, etc.

Qualifications/Experiences:

1. MD/MBBS and a post graduate degree in health management or public health.

2. Experience managing programs funded by USG, DFID, and/or The Global Fund; contract experience a plus.

3. Minimum six years of experience working in international development preferably in program management positions related to MCH, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria.

4. Minimum three years in a management position, supervising senior staff, in  an  international  or multicultural environment.

5. Proven ability to function effectively as part of a multi-cultural team.

6. Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and proven diplomatic and negotiation skills.

7. Proven experience working with multi-sector teams and the ability to coordinate multiple staff with varying levels of responsibility.

8. Experience in proposal writing and designing health related programs assessments and evaluations.

9. Demonstrated capacity to work closely with, understand, and support local partners.

10. Excellent English language oral and written communication skills.

11. Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time within and outside Nigeria.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

 

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