Project Director (Mayi & Mwana Project) Re-advertised

  • Full Time
  • Lusaka, Zambia
  • TBD / Month
  • Applications have closed

Catholic Relief Services - Zambia Country Program

BACKGROUND:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identify is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as part of our staff and as partner’s people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and commitment to serving those in need. Since 2000 CRS Zambia has been implementing a number of programmes to support vulnerable communities in Zambian. Recent programming areas include: nutrition, agriculture, food security, HIV/AIDS, WASH, financial inclusion, and early child development.

CRS will be implementing the 3-year Mayi & Mwana project in target districts to improve antenatal and postnatal health services in health facilities, improve health seeking practices by women and improve coordination among district and provincial teams within the MoH, thereby reducing the incidence of maternal and newborn mortality in target districts. Mayi & Mwana will address barriers to positive health outcomes for mothers and newborns in Petauke, Sinda, and Katete districts in Eastern Province utilizing a district health system strengthening approach to improve timely access to high quality care for pregnant women and newborns. CRS will tailor the program to specific community needs and will address supply and demand side barriers to women’s access to quality emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC).

JOB SUMMARY:

The Mayi and Mwana Project Director is responsible for providing supervisory and management support to the project team. S(he) will report to the Head of Programs. In collaboration with the HoP, s/he sets standards for program management and technical support. S/he will monitor program implementation; maintain relationships with project partners and key stakeholders for good project implementation; contribute to development of quarterly and annual work plan; support teams that are mandated to strengthen the capacity of designated health facilities, management of the budget, and timely reporting. S/he will develop/utilize systems to track program achievements.

The primary function of this position is to strengthen the capacity of Maternal and newborn programming and services in health facilities within targeted districts and promote health seeking behaviors among pregnant women. This position requires seamless cooperation, coordination, and communication with the provincial and district ministry of health teams, other cooperating partners working within the catchment area and health facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The PD will primarily be responsible for the technical strategy and implementation of the project. S/he will be responsible for communicating/liaising with the Provincial health office, District health offices and health facilities, the development of quarterly and annual work plans, management of all field-based teams, planning and tracking of annual targets, and ensuring appropriate use of resources. S/he will assist identify areas of concern within the project and work with the program team to find viable solutions. S/he sources, supervises, and mentors project teams. S/he will work with the M&E team to ensure continuous quality improvement. The PD will also work with other CRS Zambia projects to ensure communication across the country program.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Technical/Clinical Management

  • Serve as point person for technical/clinical aspects of the project
  • Carry out technical/clinical assistance visits to the field based on need, ensure Program implementation is progressing as planned and provide on the job training where appropriate to improve program quality.
  • Support resource partners and targeted health facilities to overcome barriers in the delivery of quality maternal and newborn child health services
  • Lead all program level trainings and mentorship activities, aiming to improve capacity in MNCH implementation.
  • Collaborate with the health system strengthening team in assessing health facilities, discuss any gaps and solutions in line with maternal, neonatal and child health standards
  • Coordinate with other program officers, internal staff, and cooperating partners to ensure synergies between relevant stakeholders to improve activity implementation.
  • Contribute to the timely and accurate completion of all periodic project reports
  • Contribute to the compilation of the mid-term and final reports on project and lessons learned
  • Ensure quality and accuracy of timely data on program progress and to ensure course corrections as and when needed
  • Assist with Provincial level MNCH data analysis and feedback to National Levels
  • Support the integration of Sustainability/Transition plans to the district/provincial health office’s activities.
  • Serve as a resource person for the Mayi & Mwana project.

Program Development

  • Foster linkages between Mayi & Mwana project and with other community stakeholders
  • Develop resource manuals for Mayi & Mwana project support programming
  • Support the management of the project and other community development activities related to the project.
  • Identify potential areas of concern within the project and work with the project team to find viable solutions.

Strategic Issues

  • Follow up and monitor all MOH programmatic MNCH guidance for adapted implementation
  • Develop/Implement tools to monitor progress towards closing District MNCH gaps
  • Assist with the harmonization of project activities.
  • Identify and document case studies, best practices and lessons learnt
  • Network with key MNCH implementing agencies and organizations in Zambia.

Staff Training

  • Facilitate staff training and development
  • Provide new staff member orientation, as needed
  • Conduct in-house workshops, as requested

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Head of Programs, MEAL Coordinator

External: Provincial Health Director (PHD), District Health Director (DHD), District Health Information Officer, and District Clinical Care Officer. MNCH partners working in the Province

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Medical Doctor, or an advanced degree in a public health or medically related field with strong MNCH experience.
2. Good knowledge in public health research
3. Ten years’ experience in health systems strengthening and programming in resource-poor settings at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations.
4. Excellent analytical skills,
5. Proficiency in MS Office suite (including Word, Excel, Outlook Express, PowerPoint) and Internet Explorer; SPSS and Epi-info, a plus.
6. Five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, familiarity with international Donor procedures.
7. Good command of spoken and written English.
8. Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills; Ability to work independently and under pressure
9. Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Important Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicant Instructions: Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to: [email protected]. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is 02nd September 2020. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.


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