Who we are

Marie Stopes International (MSI) is a global organisation providing personalised contraception and safe abortion services to women and girls. Our local teams of professionals are passionate about the work they do in communities across 37 countries. The services we provide give a woman the power to choose when she has children so that she’s free to pursue her plans and dreams for herself and her family. The primary responsibility of this role is to further MSI’s Goal: The prevention of unwanted births and its mission of ensuring an individual’s right to: children by choice, not chance.

The Function

The International Operations (IO) Department plays a critical role in the work of MSI’s country programmes which deliver family planning and safe abortion services to our clients around the world. IO is responsible for ensuring that country programmes are positioned to deliver results, drive growth, achieve programmatic and operational excellence, are committed to implementing best practices at scale, while simultaneously adhering to core programmatic and operational standards.

The Role

The East and Southern Africa (ESA) region within IO is a diverse and dynamic region facing particular challenges of sustainability. With decreasing levels of traditional donor funding, there is an urgent need to transition programmes and teams in the region towards greater sustainability. The Regional Strategic Business Development Manager ESA, led by the Regional Strategic Business Director ESA, will provide critical support, operational guidance, and capacity building to drive the sustainability of, and the true social business standing, of MSI’s high quality family planning and safe abortion services across the region: with programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In so doing, under the direction of the Regional Strategic Business Director and in collaboration with MSI technical teams, you will contribute to the region’s transition to, and implementation of, the MSI2030 strategy.

With support from the Regional Strategic Business Director ESA, the Global Programmes Unit (GPU), the Programme Design and Development (PDD) team, and relevant technical departments, you will be expected to partner with targeted ESA country programmes as they move towards achieving more self-sustaining programmes. Specifically, you will support the development and operationalization of an engagement plan for the effective positioning and accessing of domestic financing ranging from direct government contracting and increasing public and private health insurance contributions to service income levels in targeted ESA country programmes. You will also support the packaging, positioning, and contracting of MSI global and MSI country programme skills as a contracted supplier and/or the establishment of additional commercial focused enterprises in targeted ESA country programmes.  

Specific Responsibilities

• Support the Regional Strategic Business Director ESA in the implementation of a sustainability, future-proofing agenda and contribute to conversations with targeted ESA country programmes and GPU and PDD to increase funding opportunities; with support from relevant technical teams
• In collaboration with the entire ESA Regional Support Team, support targeted ESA country programmes as they implement domestic fund raising strategies, leverage commercial and contracting opportunities, and maximise income streams from public and private health insurance schemes
• In conjunction with country programmes and the ESA Regional Support Term, contribute to the development of new business development strategies and appropriate traditional donor proposals (with a particular focus on programme sustainability) including contributing to, editing and reviewing ESA concept papers, and proposals to donor specifications and a high standard
• Drive sustainable change through building the capability and skills of country teams to embed sustainability strategies and the implementation and monitoring of sustainability plans.
• Provide remote and in-country technical assistance and capacity building to all ESA country programmes to support the successful embedding of the sustainability plans for the region. Participate and advise on strategies to regionalise technical assistance where this adds value and/or increases effectiveness
• Support the Regional Strategic Business Director ESA in the collection and dissemination of data that provides detailed information and helps all ESA country programmes track their progress in meeting the region’s sustainability plans
• Support all ESA country programmes in the articulation of sustainability related inputs to their annual business plans
• Coach and ensure strong collaborative relationships across the ESA region and MSI partnership, identifying, documenting and sharing examples of sustainability learning, good practice and innovation across the region and promote programme to programme exchange across the region
• Demonstrate and facilitate the use of data generated through MSI-systems including client information systems (CLIC), SUN financial system, Info-BI etc. to strengthen the country programme culture of data driven sustainability decision making

Job Requirements

Skills and Experience (all required unless otherwise indicated)

• Proven track record of driving operational improvements and efficiencies in health systems in Africa
• Proven track record in driving improvements in health financing (public and private insurance), and positioning & securing of domestic funding for service delivery in Africa
• Proven track record in driving the successful contracting of services and technical assistance by national governments in Africa
• Proven ability to analyse complex sets of variables and market assessments to identify and understand risks and build on opportunities for business development opportunities
• Proven ability to develop convincing business cases, including articulating return on investment (ROI), and presenting/pitching for investment
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and ability to build rapport quickly with complex and diverse teams
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively and manage a heavy and fluctuating workload
• Experience of building capability of teams for sustainable change, demonstrated coaching ability essential
• Highly developed relationship development and communication (oral and written) skills
• Highly developed problem solving, diplomatic, networking and negotiation skills
• Skills related to organisational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results
• Demonstration of ‘making things happen’, operating at pace and delivering effectively through others

Qualifications and Training (all required unless otherwise indicated)

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent
• Post-graduate qualification in business administration, public health, public management or related field (desirable)
• Health Financing qualification e.g. WHO e-Learning Course on Health Financing Policy for universal health coverage (UHC) - desirable

Personal Attributes (all required unless otherwise indicated)

• Strong supporter of the cause of family planning and a woman’s right to safe abortion
• Energy, drive and unwavering commitment for MSI’s mission, with the ability to push boundaries, make tough decisions and challenge others in line with MSI’s mission.
• Passionate about MSI’s clients and strives to consistently meet and exceed expectations, putting the clients at the centre of everything and ensuring we deliver high quality, high impact services that meet their individual needs
• Comfortable and familiar with working in organisations that are in “change management” and therefore can manage ambiguity with ease
• Willing and able to “roll up sleeves” to get things done and lead by example
• Ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated in defining goals and objectives
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment and across disciplines and cultures
• Passion for service excellence and improving quality
• Right to work in country of residence
• Equally comfortable providing remote, virtual support as in person, face to face support
• Ability to travel extensively (up to 30% of the time and subject to Covid-19 restrictions easing)

MSI Behaviours and Values

Team Member

Work as One MSI

• You contribute, use, and share accurate data and evidence to improve understanding, insight and decision-making across MSI, enabling us to maximise our ability to influence others.
• You share relevant knowledge, expertise and resources to strengthen teamwork and prevent duplication of effort.
• You actively work as part of a team, providing support and flexibility to colleagues, demonstrating fairness, understanding and respect for all people and cultures.
• Show courage, authenticity and integrity
• You hold yourself accountable for the decisions you make and the behaviours you demonstrate.
• You are courageous in challenging others and taking appropriate managed risks.

Develop and grow

• You seek feedback to enable greater self-awareness and provide the same to others in a way which inspires them to be even more effective.
• You manage your career development including keeping your knowledge and skills up to date.

 Deliver excellence, always

• You strive to consistently meet and exceed expectations, putting clients at the centre of everything, and implement smarter, more efficient ways of performing your role.
•  You build and maintain effective long-term working relationships with all stakeholders, and are a true MSI ambassador.

Leadership (For Leaders only)

• You inspire individuals and teams, through situational leadership, providing clear direction.
• You seek and provide opportunities which motivate team members, helping to develop skills and potential whilst strengthening MSI’s talent and succession pipeline.
•  You are aware of emerging developments in our sector, demonstrating strategic insight about our clients and business and encourage this in your team.
•  
• You articulate a vision of the future which inspires and excites others.

MSI Values

• Mission driven: With unwavering commitment, we exist to empower women and men to have children by choice not chance
• Client centred: We are passionate about our clients and dedicate our efforts to delivering agreed objectives to the highest possible quality
• Accountable: We are accountable for our actions and take responsibility for everything we do to ensure long term sustainability and increased impact.
• Courageous: We recruit and nurture talented, passionate and brave people who have the courage to push boundaries, make tough decisions and challenge others in line with our mission

Number of Position: (01)

Duty Station: MSIE Support Office, Addis Ababa

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: As per MSIE Salary Scale

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should mail only their motivation letter and C.V, within ten (10) days from the date of this announcement to:

 Human Resources, Marie Stopes International Ethiopia

Through the following e-mail address: HumanResource@mariestopes.org.et

 Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact shortlisted candidates, and we are unable to provide any feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Please mention the title of the position and work place you applied for on the subject line of your email. 

CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

MSIE STRONGLY ENCOURAGES FEMALE CANDIDATES TO APPLY!