Zonal Program Manager

Malaria Consortium is recruiting for a Zonal Project Manager to join our team in Jos.

Job purpose

The main role of each of the three Zonal Programme Managers (ZPM) is to support the Programme Director (PD) to manage a cluster of states in his/her zone by providing direct programme management support to the State Programme Managers (SPMs). Each ZPM would support the effective, efficient and equitable management of programme activities and resources by the SPM; and provide leadership and stewardship to the programme team and maintain collaborative links with the programme’s key stakeholders at national and sub-national levels.

Key working relationships

Each ZPM would line-manage the SPMs within his/her zone, supporting them in the achievement of programme objectives, targets and deliverables within the expected timelines and approved budgets. They would work with the state teams and stakeholders in the respective states, especially the State Ministries of Health (SMoH) and LGA Departments of Health/PHC, to support the rollout and implementation of the SMC activities in these states. Each ZPM would report to the PD and liaise with the country technical team through the dotted-line management by the Senior Country Technical Coordinator (SCTC).

Scope of work

The ZPM would support the programme activities at zonal and state levels, overseeing the assigned cluster of states to ensure timely project delivery of the programme to achieve given targets and objectives within schedule and approved budgets.

Key accountabilities (percent of time spent on each area)

Project Management (60%)

• Work with the programme team and other relevant personnel in the country office to lead activities for smooth project start up and planning in line with the SMC Malaria Project Implementation Plan.
• Work with the relevant personnel to prepare all necessary project start up and planning tools on time.
• To support the respective SPMs to build and performance manage an effective and technically unsurpassed SMC project team in the cluster states.
• Work with the PD to support the SPMs that are responsible for coordinating overall project implementation in their states and see that activities are carried out on time and within budget.
• Liaise regularly with the PD to provide timely and comprehensive updates and reports as required.
• Line-manage the SPMs for an effective and technically sound SMC project team in the states.
• As may be required, support the SPMs to liaise with state stakeholders to get their buy-in and ensure effective implementation of SMC activities in the states.
• Support the SPM in the engagement with high level stakeholders as may be required and use the opportunity to build the capacity of SPM in influencing and engagement at policy level.
• Ensure the drug distribution campaign is carried out according to guidelines, on schedule and in compliance to donor funding requirements.
• Support training of state, LGA and community volunteer’s teams involved in the distribution activities in the assigned states.
• Participate in the state and LGA level microplanning meetings for the distribution activities.
• Support the SPMs for timely financial accountability for any disbursed funds for project activities in the cluster states.
• Duty of care on all campaign personnel.
• Work with the SPMs and project team to develop and implement annual work plans.
• Work closely with the PD to prepare the programme monitoring and evaluation plan in conjunction with the Project M&E and Research Manager. Support the project teams to implement the plans.
• Work with the Country and Project Finance teams to support the SPMs in the preparation and tracking of progress of project and activity budgets.
• Be responsible for zonal project budget management and reporting.
• Support the SPMs who are responsible for preparing and submitting to the PD, quarterly project progress reports; including narrative reports on a timely basis.
• Work with the relevant Country office personnel, PD and SPMs to prepare an exit strategy and to implement it, to see to the smooth end of the programme.
• Coordinate with other donors and implementers to ensure complementarity of implementation of the SMC malaria project in project states by leveraging resources and harmonizing efforts where possible.
• Work with the Country Communication Manager, the Senior Country Technical Coordinator (SCTC), Technical Specialist and PD, for social mobilization to see that a programme communications strategy is developed and implemented.
• Coordinate the documentation of SMC supported activities at the states in form of activity-specific reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Contribute to SMC coordination meetings in form of progress updates and power point presentations.
• Be responsible for quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination.
• Support the SPMs in the building of functional partner relationships among the project’s stakeholders.
• Oversee project partner’s inputs and subcontractors’ activities to deliver harmonized, aligned and effective outputs.
• Support the SPMs in the management of risks to Malaria Consortium including financial, reputation and security in a challenging environment.

• Work with the programme Senior M&E Officers, M&E Manager, Operational Research Specialist and Research Manager to ensure that high quality project data is collected, analysed and disseminated to relevant stakeholders at all levels.
• Support the SPMs to review the security context of cluster states and adaptation for SMC implementation along MC security guidelines, policies and tools, while the overall security management rests with PD and WCAPD.
• Draw cross state lessons and experience sharing including on value for money (VFM) parameters and support the PD and Programme Technical Specialist (PTS) on overall effectiveness of the programme.
• Contribute to overall knowledge management of the programme.

Technical contributions (10%)

• Work with the programme teams, PD and the SCTC to determine technical support needs to implement the project effectively and with high quality. Liaise with the SCTC to obtain regional or global technical support.
• Contribute to the development and production of dissemination documents to allow wider sharing of Malaria Consortium’s experiences, lessons and successes.
• Be part of the research team.

Technical performance management and Quality Assurance (20%)

• Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating programme performance within states of coverage.
• Keep abreast with evidence and best practices that are related to the project.

Representation (10%)

• Work with the West and Central Africa Programme Director (WCAPD), SCTC and PD to participate in national level meetings and workshops to represent Malaria Consortium at programmatic and coordination events.
• Work with the WCAPD, SCTC and PD to keep key national stakeholders abreast with the programme.
• To exert influence and to advocate for Malaria Consortium’s key technical positions and promote best practice in SMC interventions.

Person specification

​Qualifications and experience:        

Essential:      

• Postgraduate or master’s degree in public health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty is a minimum requirement; with minimum 10 years post graduate experience.
• Extensive experience of working at national or state level in developing countries.
• Excellent project planning, management, and M&E skills.
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Proven leadership skills and team leading.
• Experience in advocacy and policy influencing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable: 

• At least 2 years’ experience on SMC-supported project.
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft office

Work-based skills and competencies:           

Essential:      

• Proof of strong interpersonal and negotiating skills.
• Experience in using participatory adult learning techniques and previous experience in mass drug distribution campaign activities.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills are also needed.
• Understanding of public health issues in Nigeria.

This role is conditional of Malaria Consortium securing funding for this role. 

Due to the nature of this role we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and the role might be filled and closed before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged.

This is a fixed term contract for the period of  24 months. 

To apply for this position you will need to have the right to work in Nigeria.

The Company

Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the prevention, control, and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable populations.

Our mission is to save lives and improve health in Africa and Asia through evidence-based programmes that combat targeted diseases and promote Universal Health Coverage.

Qualified female candidates are strongly advised to apply.