Care International in Kenya seeks to fill the following positions.
Health Programme Director
Reference-HPD-20/2010
The Health Programme Director is responsible along with the CD and ACD P for maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners working in the health sector.
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Health Programme Director is responsible for:
- Strategic leadership in the areas of health programme design and proposal development and at the same time effectively oversee health project implementation, donor reporting, project budget management, monitoring and evaluation of ongoing activities.
- Leading strategic health programme planning to promote a shift from disparate and distinct projects in different sectors to a health programme approach that builds synergy between various emergency and development health initiatives which support a specified impact group to overcome poverty and social injustice.
- In addition, the Health Programme Director will help to mobilize resources and funding to ensure the country office responds effectively to health emergencies in Kenya.
- Overseeing the development of coherent health programme strategies to promote maternal health and to empower of women and girls.
- Managing a team of professionals focused on the design, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-donor health programmes that should effectively address the underlying causes of poverty, by improving health service provision, promoting social equity, and creating an enabling environment for beneficiaries in line with CARE’s Programming Principles.
- The Health Programme Director will directly oversee all health projects being carried out in the field to ensure high quality implementation, compliance with donor and contract requirements and best practices.
Responsibilities and Tasks
Staff Management
- Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated health programme team.
- Ensure the proper implementation of CARE’s performance management system for direct reports, including job description and IOP development, regular feedback, midterm reviews and annual performance appraisals.
- Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching, as well as disciplinary actions.
- Participate in the orientation and lead on-the-job training, identify necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies for direct reports.
- Ensure that space and incentives are available to allow staff to develop and innovate.
- Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new senior health program staff.
Programme Quality
- Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health/AIDS/OVC programs and projects and ensure that they are in line with country office strategic plan and program strategy and with the CI Programming Principles.
- Ensure systems and plans are in place to guarantee that CARE Kenya’s health programs/projects are designed and implemented based on sound analysis, address the underlying causes of poverty and achieve measurable positive impact on the poor and marginalized.
- Take the lead in identifying and securing funding for those programmes through the development of concept papers and proposals, respond to requests for proposals from donors and members.
- Ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact on underlying causes of poverty and that program lessons are being used to promote improved programming and learning.
- Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems enhance accountability of the country offices vis-à-vis the communities with whom we work as well as other stakeholders (civil society, donors and government counterparts).
- Support the Emergency Project Manager and ACD-P in the development and regular updating of health components of an appropriate emergency preparedness plan and ensure that disaster risk management is integrated in CARE health programs.
- Work with the CD to oversee the development and implementation of an advocacy agenda that supports health programs and, if possible, is in line with national and CARE International health priorities.
- Ensure that HIV and AIDS is mainstreamed in all activities.
- Ensure GED issues are properly considered and addressed in all programs/projects.
Programme Management
- Ensure that CARE health programmes and projects are managed in a manner which achieves stated goals and objectives, is in line with CARE policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations, and demonstrate sound resource management.
- Ensure that qualified staff and appropriate policies, procedures and systems are place to properly manage CARE’s health programs/projects.
- Monitor the CO health programs and projects to ensure that they are implemented in a professional manner in line with the project proposal and with donor rules and regulations through project visits and the review of annual implementation plans and activity reports.
- With support from the Internal Audit and M&E, ensure proper management of financial and other resources entrusted to CARE’s health programmes and projects, including the review and approval of health program/project budgets (including project matches) and the monitoring of budget reports (including the proper recording of matches).
- Ensure donor and government reporting is done according to agreed upon standards and in a timely manner.
- Work closely with units in Programme Support (finance, procurement, HR, Fleet, logistics etc.) to ensure proper coordination exists for efficient health programme implementation.
- Regularly review and ensure that the most efficient CO health program management structure is established and functional in order to ensure health program quality and the cost efficient achievement of project objectives.
Reflective Practice and Learning
- Ensure that the health program remains dynamic, with opportunities for innovation and personal growth by promoting a culture of, and mechanisms for, reflective practice and learning at all levels.
- Establish mechanisms for knowledge sharing and learning between health projects and other programs within the country office, other offices in the region and with partners.
- Establish a reward system and model a culture that recognizes and supports innovation, risk taking and leaning.
- Ensure the country office actively participates in organization wide and regional health learning initiatives related to CARE’s priority program themes and approaches.
- Ensure that lessons learned are consolidated and used to inform ongoing and future practices.
Programme Strategy
- Using a programme approach, work with staff and partners to guide the formulation of a coherent longer-term strategy combining related projects in line with CI Programming Principles to address the underlying causes of poverty and achieve measurable positive impact on improving livelihoods, changing social position and creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.
- Review and revise the health component of CARE Kenya’s Long Range Strategic Plan.
- Lead the preparation and implementation of a Health Programme Strategy in line with the Long Range Strategic Plan, national development plans, CARE Canada and CI strategic plans, and CARE programming principles and programming priorities.
- Lead the preparation of health programme strategies based on sound contextual analysis and that target specific underlying causes of poverty and social injustice, in line with CARE’s Unifying Framework.
- Ensure that all programs and projects designed and implemented are in line with those programme strategies and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Strategic Plan.
- Oversee periodic review of the operating environment and ensure CARE’s role and operating model are in line with that environment.
- Seek strategic partnerships necessary to promote CARE’s vision and programming principles and ensure that those partners understand the health programme strategies.
External Relations and Partnerships
- Develop and enhance relationships between the CO and other parts of CARE and external organizations so that CARE can maximize its impact on poverty and social justice.
- Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant counterparts/departments of the government, CI members, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, and foundations, international and national NGOs, CBOs and other civil society organizations in the health sector.
- Identify issues to be addressed to heighten donor and government accountability and maintain a positive image and good visibility for CARE amongst these groups.
- Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks and social movements.
- Contribute to national dialogue on poverty reduction strategies and related issues.
- Ensure timely reporting and communications with CI members, donors, government and other key actors.
- Ensure cordial media relations and act as CARE health spokesperson as required.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree in health related field
Desired
- Master’s Degree in health management or development management related field
Experience
Required
- 5 years in senior management position in health development field
Desired
- 8 years in a senior management position in health development field
- including 2 years experience in coordinating programmes in health/nutrition/AIDS/public health
- 2 years experience in Kenya
Technical Skills
Required
Programme Management
- Demonstrated experience in leading strategic and operational planning
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a very complex international setting
- Extensive conceptual skills including development of health programme strategy
- Advance writing skills in English
- Demonstrated experience in budget development and programme design (including concept preparation and proposal development), implementation and evaluation
- Experience in health emergency related activities
People/Relationship Management
- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
- Ability and interest to coach and develop staff
- Experience with performance management
- Experience with the management of a diverse workforce
- Strong representation and negotiation skills
- Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments
- Demonstrated cross cultural communication skills
Financial Management
Knowledge and experience with financial management as demonstrated by:
- Ability to manage a complex budget
- Donor compliance and reporting
Information/Knowledge Management
- Ability to establish a learning culture within the country office
External Relationships/Fundraising
- Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international NGOs, UN agencies
- Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts.
Desired
- Experience and knowledge of operationalizing a rights-based approach
- Experience in programme design and oversight in health/nutrition/AIDS sectors
- Demonstrated experience with proposal development with range of international donors (i.e. Global Fund, UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, USAID, EU, ECHO, DFID, CIDA, UNHCR, WFP…)
- Experience and knowledge working with SCALA financial system
- Experience and skills in organizational change processes
Applications:
If you feel that you are the right candidate for these positions, please send your application letter quoting the reference number on the subject field together with an updated CV, complete with email & telephone contacts of three professional referees and expected salary to: The Human Resources & Development Manager, CARE International in Kenya.
Email: hrmanager@care.or.ke by 3rd September 2010.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer
