Project Manager-Primary Health Care Support

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base: Gambella

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: EMS09

Salary: 1,117 USD

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of position:

Action Against Hunger (AAH) has received a new award to implement a project in tittle “Integrated basic services and livelihoods for refugees and host communities in Gambella regional state”. The project will be implemented in the Gambella region, Ethiopia, and funded by European Union (EU).  The project aims to improve the lives of the refugee population and host communities in Gambella regional State, Ethiopia. The project will be implemented by Action Against Hunger and ZOA in a consortium arrangement. This action, through an integrated and multi-sector approach, seeks to address the WASH, health, and food security needs of refugees and host communities in Gambella Regional State. Activities will focus on improving the health status of specific target beneficiaries, access to safe WASH, and agricultural production to improve access to food, specifically animal products and market. This will be addressed with a particular focus on women, as their work burden, vulnerability, and protection risks have disproportionately increased in recent times. Action Against Hunger will implement the health aspect of the project.

The Project manager for primary health care support will be based in Gambella and serve as the main point of contact for all elements of the project under the direct supervision of the Senior Nutrition and Health Manager. S/he is expected to capacitate, encourage, supervise, and guide the health team in the respective project intervention areas to make sure that prioritized Reproductive Maternal Newborn, Child, and Youth-Health (RMNCY-H) services are provided to project beneficiaries by the highest standard possible and in accordance with AAH and Donor standards/requirements. The Program Manager is further expected to strengthen and maintain productive working relationships with sectoral and department heads within the organization and also with local government authorities, beneficiaries or clients, and other partners operating in the host and refugee settings. Additionally, S/he will represent Action Against Hunger in regular local-level Health sector task force meetings and coordination platforms in the host as well as refugee community.  S/he contributes to the successful implementation of the project by providing high-level oversight of project activities in close collaboration with the capital-based Health Expert-DHoD-Nutrition and Health, field-based colleagues, ZOA field representative, Key government, and NGOs focal persons.

Purpose

• The Project Manager-PHCS will be primarily responsible to provide an overarching oversight of the health component of the consortium project based on the Action Against Hunger USA, Ethiopia mission. She/he will serve as the main point of contact for all matters related to the project. S/he provides technical support and supervision to the team on the services, monitors, and analyses the implementation of project activities to improve service delivery quality in the refugee camps and host community supported by Action Against Hunger.

Engagement

• The Project Manager-PHCS is expected to engage internally with the Health and Nutrition, WASH, FSL, PGMHPSS, MEAL, Finance, GRD, Logistics, and HR departments as well as the focal person of ZOA, other partners, and humanitarian actors on regular basis during the implementation of the project. Externally the incumbent is expected to engage with relevant government line authorities, including RHB, health cluster, and various working groups. S/he will engage with health-related working groups within the camp and represents Action Against Hunger on similar platforms.  

Delivery

• The Project Manager-PHCS will oversee the implementation of project activities for the Action Against Hunger project staff in Gambella, Ethiopia. In addition and specifically, S/he together with the rest of the project staff should ensure the integration of health facilities, linkage to the camps into the regional health system is strengthened as per standard as well as integration with other ongoing AAH interventions in the area and with ZOA for effectiveness and target achievement. Moreover, S/he should strive to ensure the quality standard of programmatic endeavor in the project. S/he leads and monitors the day-to-day activities in intervention areas in close coordination with project supervisors, provides technical oversight to the health response, undertakes regular supportive supervision to the team, and ensures program delivery and data quality in accordance with the existing procedures, standards, and MEAL system. S/he further aims to meet the quality standard of reports that are related to Action Against Hunger, donors, and other stakeholders. Supports the operational coordination of the project at various levels, and ensures the beneficiaries have received the right service.

II. Essential Job Duties

Led, coordinated, Designed, Implement and Monitor project activities.  (60% LoE)

• The Project Manager-PHCS will have the primary responsibility of leading, coordinating, designing, implementing, and monitoring the health project activities in the Action Against Hunger Ethiopia mission.

Specific duties include:

• Serve as the point of contact and liaise with relevant government authorities, including MoH for project update provision, report submission, and the like.

• Provide overall strategic guidance and support to the health team, including the RMNCY-H supervisors and health officers, and existing health and nutrition team at the refugee camp and host community level on effective and efficient implementation of the health project in line with the country strategy, technical framework, and donor requirements.

• Coordinate the implementation of the project in close consultation with other project staff based in Addis.  

• Overall Management of both the technical and administrative aspects of the health project.

• Ensure a strong and functional service, referral linkages, and network within and outside the refugee camp/host community for RMNCY-H service (ANC, PNC, SRH including FP, STI treatment and HTC, GBV, IMNCI, EPI…).

• Ensure and support the implementation of project activities according to the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) stipulated in the health project.

• Work closely and coordinates with field colleagues to set up a proper project management structure and system.  

• Develops and maintains SOP, leads project implementation strategy, and project management for effective and efficient implementation.

• Assess the training needs and gaps of the team and plan to organize appropriate training in a timely manner.

• Ensure that the findings of the project assessments are properly documented, disseminated, and translated into action and decision-making processes.

• Ensure the timely and consistent procurement, availability, and utilization of medicines and medical supplies, and equipment in all implementation areas of the health project.

• Ensure the availability and proper utilization of standard manuals, guidelines, and SOPs at each care provision center for ease of reference and harmonized service delivery approach.

• Closely support and assist in the pharmaceutical management system in the refugee camp and host community for a standardized and uniform practice throughout the project implementation period.

• Inspire and motivate the team to achieve and maintain desirable project performance outcomes as per the standard and guidelines.

• Coordinate with other sectors and thematic areas in Action Against hunger such as health and nutrition, WASH, FSL, and Protection Gender MHPSS/ program managers, and ensure effective integration of services at each service delivery point in the refugee camp as well as host communities to maximize impact and benefit.

• Develop or adapt a minimum project-specific monitoring standard checklist in collaboration with the MEAL department, field-based colleagues, and focal persons from ZOA.

• Oversee and support the data collection and analysis of the project and ensure a high level of data accuracy through periodic data quality checks

• Ensure close coordination and, smooth and clear communication between Action Against Hunger and ZOA.

• Performs other duties as assigned by her or his line manager.

Support and assist regular project development and set up (30% of LoE)

• Develop a project-specific Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), project procurement plan (PPP), and supply plan (SP).

• Regularly follow project budget utilization in collaboration with the finance department based on the latest budget follow-up Units (BFUs) and provide regular guidance and support to the team for efficient budget utilization.

• Initiate and participate in regular base-level BFU and APR review meetings; provide up to dated information and inputs in a manner that would enhance the timely and effective implementation of the project.

• Undertake and participate in regular meetings at the regional level

• Assist in the coordination of effective procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution of project-specific commodities and supplies in close consultation with other project staff.  

• Provide regular supportive supervision, mentoring, and coaching of the nutrition and health team in the refugee camp in a manner that supports the growth of internal capacity using standardized and harmonized checklists.

• Hire and train (e.g. RMNCY-H supervisors, Health officers) for the project in line with HR procedure and in coordination with other project staff.

• Collaborate closely with key departments with Action Against Hunger for the smooth implementation of the project.

• Organize regular capacity building and project-specific review meetings in consultation and coordination with other project focal persons and PMs

• Ensure adherence to standard project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation tool across all bases.

Partnerships and engagement (10% of LoE)

• Represent Action Against Hunger and participate in regional and district-level Health taskforce and coordination platforms to provide updates and receive guidance.

• Lead and facilitate donor field visits to respective operational areas in Gambella and assist in the provision of the necessary inputs.

• Share minutes and summary of action points of relevant coordination and joint meetings attended.

• Serve as the regional point of contact for the health project.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• S/he will directly supervise RMNCY-H supervisors, project MEAL officer, and communication officer in the Gambella base.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Undertake budget follow-up for the project activity in close consultation with the Head of the Department of Nutrition and Health.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of an operational base. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance.

• Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as needed or required by partners.

• Must be able to travel coach fare for standard domestic and international business travel if appropriate.

• While in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

• The candidate must be able to travel to remote locations, often over poor road conditions. 

Gender Equality Commitments

• Foster an environment that reinforces the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.

• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.

• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

• Value and respect all cultures.

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)

• Beware of the minimum operating standards of SEA

• Protect and prevent others from SEA.

• Report SEA.

• Strictly comply with AAH child protection and SEA policies. 

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, public health, or related field from an accredited university or college and at least 8 years of relevant experience  in RMNCY-H program implementation, health coordination, and health system support public health programs

• A Master’s or another advanced degree in a similar field of study with more than 5 years of relevant experience is preferred.

• Experienced in managing health programs and staff in a senior management position and Previous experience in managing projects funded by the EU is desired.

• Familiarity with the national and regional RMNCY-H programs and strategies, policies, and anticipatory plan of action for crisis response is desired.

• Exposure and participation in national and subnational health coordination and technical working groups are preferred. 

Required Skills:

• Ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks with minimum supervision.

• Good strategic and analytical ability with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Embracing Diversity, Self-Awareness, and Self-Regulation, good experience in staff management and capacity building.

• Desirable project management skills, including preparation of quality report writing skills.

• Experience in organizing and participating in field-level assessments and program monitoring and evaluation exercises.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills, networking, and representation skill.

• Knowledge and skills in MS Office Suite are required

• Genuine interest and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.

 Language

• Fluency (written and Spoken) in English is compulsory.

• Knowledge of more than one local language, including Amharic, Anuak, and Nuer is a plus

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Project Manager-Primary Health Care Support” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following address:

Through THIS LINK

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be, communicated on and the selection process includes technical tests and an interview.

Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment