Project Manager

Malaria Consortium is recruiting for a Project Manager SMC VAS to join our team in Niger State, Nigeria

Job purpose

To lead the delivery an integrated campaign project of SMC and VAS in Niger and Bauchi states, with the aim of contributing towards the reduction in childhood mortality in the targeted states. The manager would also provide leadership and stewardship to the project team and maintain collaborative links with the project’s key stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels.

Key working relationships

The Project Manager would be working with the SMC state team and stakeholders in Niger and Bauchi states, especially the State Ministries of Health and LGA Departments of Health/PHC, to manage the add-on of VAS to the SMC rollout and implementation in the project states. S/he would report to the Public Health Specialist (PHS).

Scope of work

The Project Manager (PM) would support the project activities at national and state levels, working with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure timely project delivery to achieve given targets and objectives.

Key accountabilities (percent of time spent on each area)

Project Management (60%)

• Work with the relevant personnel in the country office, Bauchi, and Niger states to lead activities for smooth project start up and planning in line with the SMC Malaria Project Implementation Plan, including line managing the Research/M&E Officers at both states.
• Work with the relevant personnel to prepare all necessary project start up and planning tools on time, including the use of technology.
• Work directly with the Public Health Specialist (PHS) and be responsible for coordinating overall project implementation in the states and see that activities are carried out on time and within budget.
• Liaise regularly with the PHS to provide timely and comprehensive updates and reports as required.
• Liaise with other partners relevant for successful SMC-VAS implementation in the states.
• Lead stakeholder mapping, analysis, and engagement for the project to get their buy-in and ensure effective implementation of SMC-VAS integration activities in the states.
• Work with SMC State Programme Managers (SPMs) to ensure the SMC-VAS integrated campaign is carried out according to guidelines, and in compliance to donor funding requirements.
• Organize and participate in the training of state, LGA and community volunteer’s teams involved in the distribution activities.
• Participate in the state and LGA level microplanning meetings for the distribution activities.
• Be responsible for timely financial accountability for any disbursed funds for project activities in the supported states.
• Work with the project team to review and implement annual work plans and ensure all donor programmatic requirements are met.
• Work closely with the PHS, MEAL Specialist and M&E Managers at the country office to prepare the project monitoring and evaluation plan and work with the project team to implement it.
• Work with the country finance team and project finance associate to prepare and track progress of project and activity budgets.
• Be responsible for project budget management and reporting.
• Be responsible for preparing and submitting routine, quarterly and annual project progress reports on a timely basis.
• Work with finance team and PHS to prepare quarterly financial reports.
• Work with the relevant country personnel, the PHS and PD PF-SMC, to prepare an exit strategy and to implement it, to see to the smooth end of the project.
• Work with the PHS, country and state office teams to develop and implement a communications strategy.
• Coordinate the documentation of SMC-VAS co-implementation activities in form of activity-specific reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Contribute to coordination meetings in form of progress updates and power point presentations.
• Be responsible for quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination.
• Be responsible for building functional partner relationships among the project’s stakeholders.
• Oversee project partner’s inputs and subcontractors’ activities to deliver harmonized, aligned, and effective outputs.
• Manage risks to Malaria Consortium including financial, reputation and security in a challenging environment.

Technical contributions (30%)

• Work with the project teams, PHS, Programme Directors and the Senior Country Technical Coordinator (SCTC) to determine technical support needs to implement the project effectively and with high quality.
• Contribute to the development and production of dissemination documents to allow wider sharing of Malaria Consortium’s experiences, lessons, and successes.
• Work with country team and stakeholders to co-design the campaign implementation strategy.
• Lead the timely quantification and procurement of commodities and tools for the project.

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

Representation (10%)

• Work with the West & Central Africa Programme Director (WCAPD), SCTC, Programme Director/SMC and PHS to participate in national level meetings and workshops to represent Malaria Consortium at programmatic and coordination events.
• Work with the WCAPD, SCTC, Programme Director/SMC and PHS to keep key national stakeholders abreast of the project.
• Exert influence and advocate for Malaria Consortium’s key technical positions and promote best practice in SMC-VAS interventions.

Person specification

Qualifications and experience:        

Essential:      

• 10 years post-graduation and postgraduate or master’s degree in public health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty is a minimum requirement.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management at national level.
• Demonstrated considerable experience (at least 7 years) in malaria control programming at national or state level in developing countries, with at least 3 years in malaria campaign implementation.
• Excellent project planning, management, and monitoring & evaluation skills.
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Proven leadership skills and team leading.
• Experience in advocacy and policy influencing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable: 

• Working knowledge of child health policy and implementation in Nigeria
• 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
• Working knowledge of the EPI programme and vitamin A delivery

We need to keep beneficiaries safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to safeguarding. Please find our Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy and Privacy Notice here.

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.

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

Qualified female candidates are strongly advised to apply