Project Manager

Malaria Consortium is recruiting for a State Project manager to join our team in Kebbi State. Nigeria

Job purpose

The post holder will provide overall programme oversight at the state level. The Project manager will work closely with the Public Health Specialist and Country office functional teams to effectively provide overall management, coordination and harmonisation of the project. S/he will lead project implementation activities ensuring consistency with the project’s performance framework, donor expectations and in line with Malaria Consortium’s core values; while maintaining strong collaboration links with key stakeholders at sub-national level.

Key working relationships

This role involves working closely with the project team (which will be largely made up of consultants with expertise in key thematic areas) and stakeholders in the state, especially State Ministry of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency and LGA Department of Health/PHC. The Project Manager will work closely with the Malaria Consortium’s country office functional teams to ensure all study components are implemented according to relevant work plans. The Project Manager reports to the Public Health Specialist with dotted line reporting to the Senior Country Technical Coordinator.

Scope of work

The Project Manager will be responsible for delivery and achievements of the project goal and objectives and ensure that all planned activities are implemented on schedule, within budget and at the expected quality standard. S/he will oversee the provision of short term technical assistance working collaboratively with SMEP, SPHCDA and other key stakeholders.

Key accountabilities

1. Project Management (60%)

• Manage the project to ensure that all activities are implemented according to plan and milestones are achieved on time, within budget and at the required quality standards
• Lead the work plan development in collaboration with the project team and leads of the various project components.
• Ensure smooth functioning of the project’s logistics for efficient implementation of all activities.
• Coordinate the planning and assignment of human resources to the various project components, including training and mobilisation of field staff and consultants, and allocation and harmonisation of technical assistance.
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with MC country and global team
• Travel to the field as necessary to provide support and oversight to the state and national technical assistance engaged on the project.
• Maintain a good and proactive collaboration with the relevant authorities at state level, such as SMEP, SPHCDA and other stakeholders.
• Ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of the project as appropriate.
• Ensure that the project lessons and experiences are documented
• Ensure that project budgets are developed and approved on time.
• Actively oversee management of project budget, including compliance with established cost categories, monthly review and correction of transaction lists, analysis of monthly budget versus actual reports, and quarterly financial forecasting.
• Request fees, per diem, accommodation and transport payments for field staff, consultants and Malaria Consortium staff as necessary and ensure the payments are made on time in collaboration with relevant staff.
• Ensure that the project’s technical documents and reports are collected and stored in appropriate databases.
• Responsible for project reporting process management, coordinating with relevant field staff, facilitators and Consultants including drafting reports and tracking reporting time frames to ensure all reports and deliverables are submitted in advance of deadlines.
• Provide technical support to the State & LGA stakeholders by ensuring adherence to project deliverables.
• Participate in relevant Malaria Consortium’s activities and work on issues and tasks assigned by the line manager.

1. Technical performance management and Quality Assurance (30%)

• Take the lead in ensuring that the roll-out of project service delivery activities meet international standard of quality
• Implement project deliverables using the Country Technical Quality Assurance System as a guide to assure the quality of the work.
• Organise periodic and timely progress update meetings with the Public Health Specialist.
• Develop and submit regular technical progress reports including achievements and successes, challenges and lessons learned
• Document evidence and best practices that are related to the programme (abstracts, manuscripts, technical papers etc)

1. Representation (10%)

• Represent the project at internal Malaria Consortium meetings, and in consultation with the Public Health Specialist in external meetings as necessary.
• Work with the Public Health Specialist to keep state level stakeholders abreast of the project.
• Liaise, negotiate with partners and provide advice to SPHCDA, SMEP and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation of the project, communicate project plans and progress and to solicit support.

Person specification

Qualifications and experience:        

Essential

 Master’s degree in Public health, Epidemiology or any Health related field

• Mid-level management experience on health projects in Nigeria, preferably Northern Nigeria
• Work experience in project management, with a preference for health projects management
• Over 5 years working experience in development projects
• At least 2 years of those spent in projects based in the state and managing a team of 5 or more personnel/Consultants
• Work experience in donor-funded public health-related projects in budget and financial management .
• Excellent project planning, management and monitoring & evaluation skills
• Proven leadership skills and team leading

• Experience in advocacy and policy influencing
• Excellent written and spoken English and Hausa

Desirable

• Experience working on child health programmes, especially immunization and malaria programme implementation.
• Experience in leading a project at state level
• Experience managing donor grants or contracts such as Gavi, Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft office

Work-based skills and competencies:

Essential

• Demonstrable project management skills
• Strong research and analytical skills, including collecting and analysing data or information and
• Ability to manage and prioritize high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines solving problems
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to make complex information understandable to diverse audiences
• Flexible and able to adapt to a quickly changing environment by applying knowledge and experience to solve unforeseen and unexpected problems
• Results-oriented work ethic

Desirable

• Good capacity building skills especially mentoring and coaching
• Conversant with the basic epidemiology of malaria in Nigeria
• Data-driven decision-making mentality
• Excellent advocacy skills, and comfortable being a strong advocate for malaria control

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.

Qualified female candidates are strongly advised to apply.

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