Country Representative: Namibia
Background and Reporting Structure
The International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) is a global network that works with local partners to develop skilled health care workers and strong national health systems in resource-limited countries. I-TECH promotes local ownership to sustain effective health systems. I-TECH envisions a world in which all people have access to high quality, compassionate, and equitable health care.
I-TECH is a global health program of the University of Washington (UW) Department of Global Health in Seattle, in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco. I-TECH operates programs and employs staff in multiple countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean Region. I-TECH, as a center within the UW Department of Global Health, acts as the administrative home for numerous sponsored projects and has received delegated authority from the department to maintain policies and procedures that protect the interests of its faculty/Principal Investigators (PIs) and the University. A key objective for I-TECH is to assure that PIs working through the I-TECH network and country programs have the authority and support they need to assure that their work is carried out as they direct, in a timely manner and compliant with UW and sponsor policies.
In Namibia, I-TECH is an implementing partner for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global AIDS Program (CDC GAP). With funding from CDC and HRSA, I-TECH collaborates with the Ministry of Health and Social Services and local stakeholders to implement innovative programs to improve the care and treatment of HIV at 12 facilities in three regions as well as to implement high-quality VMMC services in two regions. I-TECH has clinical and programmatic staff based in all regions in which it works as well as a main office in Windhoek, Namibia.
The I-TECH Country Representative, with support from the Seattle HQ Senior Program Manager and other HQ staff, is responsible for ensuring the fulfillment and administration of project activities in Namibia. The Country Representative is accountable directly to the PIs for carrying out the activities of the awards in Namibia, and to the I-TECH Managing Director for assuring compliance with human resources, legal, and financial management. The Managing Director is accountable to the Chair and to PIs to ensure that I-TECH effectively supports project implementation and compliance with accepted grants management practices. This dual accountability assures that PIs are able to control the quality and cost effective implementation of work for which they are ultimately accountable, and that I-TECH is accountable to PIs and to UW and its governing bodies for maintenance of past, present, and future assets in a long-term sustainable infrastructure.
General Function
The position of Country Representative requires an individual with demonstrated expertise in public health program management and capacity development. The position requires effective communication with both domestic and international staff, the CDC Country Office in Namibia, local Ministry of Health and Social Services and other governmental bodies, US-based funders and other implementing partners within and beyond Namibia. The Country Representative must provide leadership in developing sustainable programs and cope with rapid changes in both funding and programmatic direction as dictated by the funder, and effectively use available resources to meet those expectations. In addition, the Country Representative is required to use sophisticated problem-solving skills and to successfully interface and communicate within the organization, across the I-TECH network, and externally to local stakeholders. This position will take responsibility in fulfiling I-TECH’s scope of work by managing the implementation of I-TECH training, technical, and program activities to ensure that work plans are developed for each activity and deadlines are met.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a dynamic program which scopes of work vary based on award activity, the following duties are considered examples, and it is not an exhaustive list. As stated above, the primary function of this position is to ensure fulfilment of I-TECH’s scope of work.
Program Leadership (50%): Success is measured by the extent to which the I-TECH Country Representative advances the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Examples of activities:
· Ensure full implementation of grants to the maximal extent possible. This will be evaluated based on the deliverables in the work plan. In the pursuit of this goal the following responsibilities are important to success:
o Provide a high level of technical and administrative expertise to ensure success;
o Seek out the highest and most effective technical standards;
o Seek out and follow the most effective administrative standards;
o Maximize the cost effectiveness of all activities.
· Ensure a seamless working relationship between the country program and Headquarters staff, including PIs and Senior Program Managers, and participate in frequent (up to weekly) call with PI’s, Senior Program Managers and senior staff.
· To the extent applicable under the grant, advance the work of I-TECH to achieve its 2011-2015 strategic priorities, which are:
o I-TECH is positioned as a leading organization in health systems strengthening—using the World Health Organization (WHO) framework.
o I-TECH’s approach to capacity development emphasizes local ownership, transition, and the sustainability of local programming.
o I-TECH is recognized as a university-based network that provides effective global health programming and technical assistance.
o The I-TECH network is supported by a diversified funding portfolio.
o The I-TECH network strengthens its capacity to serve as an effective global health partner to donors and governments.
· Lead productive working relationships with national government representatives, local and international non-government organizations, and funders, including CDC’s Global AIDS Program in-country staff.
· Scan the horizon strategically for opportunities to strengthen the national health system.
· Communicate outcomes to shape planning and policy.
· Promote I-TECH’s sustainability through new business development, diversification of I-TECH funding sources, and development of I-TECH’s technical expertise. Examples include expanding scope of current programs and adding new programs.
· As requested, serve as the liaison for university academic work in-country.
· Use and promote I-TECH Operating Principles in all facets of work.
Project Management (25%): Success is measured by the extent to which the Country Representative applies I-TECH’s Management Practices to assure programs are planned and implemented with high quality, on time, and under budget. The Country Representative will assure the following activities are accomplished:
· Plan budgets and workplans for multiple funding sources.
· Assume overall accountability for attainment of program goals, objectives and deliverables.
· Employ and promote I-TECH Management Practices using a team-based management approach.
· Develop and implement a country program monitoring and evaluation plan.
· Submit regular reports to funders and stakeholders. Respond in a timely manner to ad hoc reporting requests from CDC-Global AIDS Program, DoD, USAID, HRSA, UW, UCSF and other partners.
· Communicate regularly and substantively with I-TECH headquarters on all project activities.
Operations, Fiscal, and Human Resource Management (25%): Success is measured by the extent to which in-country capacity is strong, risk is managed, financial and operational systems and policies are employed, and excellent human resource practices are applied. The Country Representative assures the following activities are accomplished:
Operations and Safety
· Oversee development, application and regular updating of written policies and procedures for country office operations. Assure concordance between country project policies and procedures and I-TECH, UW, funder and national government requirements and regulations.
· Oversee all administrative, logistical, security and risk management functions for the country office.
· Ensure that I-TECH meets all requirements to be recognized as a legal entity by the host government.
· Lead the implementation of recommendations from operations assessments.
· Oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of in-country contracts and vendor agreements.
· Oversee the implementation and use of I-TECH’s Global Operations Manual at the country project level, with emphasis on in-country capacity development to attain or surpass standards.
Finance
Assure financial systems meet UW requirements.
· Based on delegated authority, provide oversight for all funds spent in-country and assure grant allowability.
· In collaboration with country office staff, prepare and monitor internal budget reports (e.g. budget projections, burn rates, monthly budget reports by activity code). Prepare forecasts, and consider program implications.
Human Resources
· Apply I-TECH, DGH and UW principles throughout all aspects of staff oversight. Embody and engender those qualities that support an effective, efficient, inspired workplace.
· Ensure that all contracts and employment packages are consistent with local practice and labor law.
· Hire, coach, evaluate, discipline and/or discharge employees as necessary.
· Identify and lead staff professional development initiatives at the individual and group levels.
REQUIREMENTS
Master’s in Public Health, Health Administration or related field; and five years of related work experience, with a leadership role in complex, multi-faceted public health programs; to include at least three years of experience in a supervisory role, including supervision of managers, technical experts, and support staff.
· Superb knowledge of and practical experience with health systems in Namibia;
· Experience in designing and implementing HIV-related programs;
· Able to provide strong leadership and representation with staff, donors, partners, CDC and Ministry of Health;
· A commitment to scholarly work and generation and dissemination of knowledge;
· Highly skilled program manager,
· Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methods;
· Experience with budget development and management, and monitoring of fiscal systems;
· Working knowledge of US government and other grants and contracts systems, to advance project progress and comply with funder directives;
· Employee and partner relations skills, including demonstrated ability to bring together diverse professionals into a functioning, effective work team; fostering tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate communication;
· Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective collaboration with diverse partners;
· Fluency in English including reading and writing and the ability to read and understand technical documents and journals and write letters, administrative, technical reports and scientific papers for publication in English language journals;
· Successful public presentation skills;
· Demonstrated ability to interact with persons from a variety of professional disciplines and from different levels of society in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner;
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, with balance between strategic leadership and attention to detail;
· Computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
MD or Ph.D. with strong public health and administrative skills.
· 5 – 10 years of project management experience in Africa, preferably in Namibia;
· Experience in public health program planning and evaluation;
· Demonstrated experience working closely with government public health officials and agencies at all levels in a balanced and supportive capacity;
· Willingness to undergo further training and professional development in topic areas relevant to this position.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The Country Representative must be available and willing to travel domestically in remote areas and internationally up to 15%. The position requires participation in conference calls and internet meetings outside of business hours several times per week in order to accommodate the time difference between the country office and HQ.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a resume or CV and covelr etter to jobs@go2itech.org. This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by December 31, 2015. This position is open to international applicants, however Namibian candidates will be given preference.
