Pathfinder International is a global leader in sexual and reproductive health. We place reproductive health care at the center of all that we do—believing that it is not only a fundamental human right, but is critical for expanding life opportunities for women, families, communities, and nations, and paving the way for transformations in environmental stewardship, decreases in population pressures, and innovations in poverty reduction. Pathfinder provides women, men, and adolescents with a range of quality health services—from contraception and maternal care to HIV prevention and AIDS care and treatment. Pathfinder strives to strengthen access to family planning, advocate for sound reproductive health policies, and, through all of our work, improve the rights and lives of the people we serve.

 

Program Overview

Pathfinder seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the anticipated RMNCH project in Nigeria. The purpose of the project is to increase access to and uptake of high quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) services in Nigeria.  This project will contribute to state-level reduction in under-five and maternal mortality, and to increased capacity of health systems (public and private) to sustainably support access to primary health care. The project will work closely with and support state governments, while strengthening their capacity in developing a robust plan for the health sector annually and provide support for its implementation.

 

Position Purpose

The DCOP provides technical and strategic leadership and technical and managerial oversight of all technical and programmatic aspects of the Project. S/he oversees the technical work of the project and is responsible for the effective use and deployment of staff and financial resources to achieve project targets.  The DCOP is accountable for all aspects of the Project’s effective management, timely implementation of activities, and stakeholder relationship management.  S/he collaborates with the COP to ensure that program objectives are met, all activities are responsive to the needs of the host country, and the program continues to advance and play a key role in contributing to Pathfinder’s programming in Nigeria. The DCOP will work with the COP to increase visibility of Pathfinder’s programs in Nigeria and to position the organization as a leader in the fields of family planning and maternal and child health services for the poorest of the poor and as a successful partner in the development and cost effective implementation of USAID-funded programs.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Technical Leadership

•  Lead the technical design and implementation of project strategies, create a realistic and donor-repsonsive timeline, and continuously evaluate project progress towards achieving organizational strategic goals.

•  Be fully conversent on best practicies globally to develop and adapt for the Nigeria setting.

•  Provide technical leadership to project staff and partners in support of project objectives.

•  Collaborate with headquarters and all partners to ensure programming aligns with agency mission and vision and that project best practices and lessons learned are shared for  agency-wide dissemination

•  Utilize a participatory approach to developing and updating the project strategic plan, ensuring programmatic directions are technically-sound, evidence-based, and consistent with international standards.

•  Provide technical assistance and capacity building to local partners in support of sustainable impact

 

Program Managment

•  Assist the COP in the successful programmatic and technical implementation of the project including the timely completion of high-quality work plans, accurate reports, and other mandated deliverables.

•  Assist the COP in monitoring project progress vis-a-vis expected objectives, utilizing tools and methods developed by Pathfinder, and ensuring effective usage of resources and compliance with donor requirements.

•  Oversee subgrantees/subcontractors  ensuring  quality implementation of programming and achievement of agreed upon objectives and targets in accordance with established schedules and timelines.

•  Document technical components of materials and project achevements for communications materials such as annual reports, brochures, and website updates.

•  Identify, select, manage performance of, and mentor project staff ensuring professional and capacity building; facilitate necessary international technical assistance to promote project goals and objectives.

•  Support other country programs, provide technical assistance, and foster cross-country collaboration.

 

Organizational Representation and Collaboration

•  Assist COP in addressing technical and programmatic issues related to the project. 

•  Liaise with donors, partners, host government agencies, and other key stakeholders to share progress, accomplishments, and challenges to ensure dissemination and incorporation of best practices. 

•  Cultivate strong relations with headquarters to achieve organizational goals and provide periodic updates to staff worldwide on the progress, challenges, successes, and lessons learned in managing the project.

•  Serve as COP, assuming overall field responsibility for project, in absence of the COP, as necessary.

 

Basic Requirements

•  Medical degree, Nursing degree or Master’s degree in public health

•  Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in technical leadership and also designing, implementing, managing, monitoring, and evaluating large scale health service delivery projects in a developing country.

•  Technical expertise in RMNCH program areas.

•  Demonstrated experience in successfully fulfilling performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program activities.

•  Experience managing USAID-funded health programming.

•  Comprehensive knowledge of the health context and structural issues in Nigeria including socioeconomic, institutional and policy issues that are related to essential services in population, health, and nutrition.

•  Proven ability to create and maintain effective working relations with senior Government personnel, international organizations, NGO partners, host country governments, and U. S. Government Agencies.

•  Experience working with public and private partners and stakeholders at all levels (national to community).

•  Proven ability to manage, motivate, and mentor staff at all levels and create a positive team environment. 

•  Experience working with complex programs involving short deadlines, multiple tasks, in coordination with multiple partners, to achieve expected results.

•  Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

•  Expert computer skills in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. 

•  Fluency in English required.

•  In-country travel to field operations required with occasional travel to headquarters as necessary.

 

Please Note: This is a five year position contingent upon project award and funding.

Pathfinder International is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. 

 

How to apply 

Click here to apply