Senior Program Officer Job Vacancy, Friday 4th, November 2011

OVERALL RESPONSBILITIES:

As a member of the Center for Leadership and Management, the Senior Program Officer (SPO) works under the direction of Country Portfolio Directors to coordinate the work of country support teams, ensuring that all requests for technical, contractual, administrative, financial and logistics assistance from the home office are handled in an efficient and effective manner. The SPO is the first point of contact for the field-based project staff for day-to-day project support, and coordinates all related communications with and support to the field teams. The SPO will develop, package and deliver technical products and services; assist with the strategic positioning of the Center within the organization; contribute to the Center’s knowledge management and sharing effort; and provide technical support as appropriate. The SPO is aware of and adheres to MSH procurement integrity standards in all activities

SPECIFIC RESPONSBILITIES:

A. Support to Technical Project Implementation

1. Provide skilled technical assistance to CLM staff in HO and in projects, other center staff, and to the partner organizations. The specialized management areas in which the SPO focuses could include performance improvement, financial management, project management, business planning, support of virtual programs, and other applicable management specialties.
2. Support the Project Director to develop the workplan, including Performance Monitoring Plans (M&E plans).
3. On an ongoing basis monitor literature relevant to the project's activities, including review of professional journals, attendance at conferences and collection/dissemination of relevant information.
4. Assist the Project Director and the CLM Country Portfolio Director in articulating the STTA needs to successfully implement the project’s works plans; identify suitable staff or consultants and develop and maintain the STTA Plan for the project.
5. Assist in identifying possible USAID and non-USAID funding sources and assist in the development of proposals.
6. Assist in preparation of USAID and other donors’ financial and technical reports (review, edit and finalize quarterly and program reports as requested).
7. Collaborate with other Center staff and consultants to design, refine, and adapt existing MSH technical assistance and training approaches and materials (or to develop new approaches and materials if a gap is identified) related to performance improvement, leadership development, financial management, human resource management, project management, and management development in general.
8. Prepare papers and presentations on CLM experiences internally and externally.
9. Assist the Project Director and the CLM Country Portfolio Director in the development and use of a system to monitor the implementation process of project deliverables and the quality and success of the deliverables. (applicable in complex countries or if no PO assigned)
10. In close collaboration with the Project Director and the CLM Country Portfolio Director, manage the Start-up and Close-out phases of assigned projects, including the activities and scheduling of the Start-up Teams and the preparation and implementation of the Close-out plans.

B. Financial and Contractual Support

1. Liaise with the assigned MSH Contract Officer regarding compliance with donor’s contractual and financial requirements.
2. Assist Deputy Director and Finance Associate in the preparation of the Pipeline budgets.(applicable in complex countries or if no PO assigned)
3. Support the Deputy Director to regularly review, analyze and monitor the project financial reports and communicate any over-under expenditure observations to the Project Director and the CLM Country Portfolio Director on a timely basis.
4. Review monthly expenses and follow up with accounting staff to correct mis-charges to the wrong project code, and identify other questions on expenses. (applicable in complex countries or if no PO assigned)
5. Ensure that all non-Field Expense, project expenditures are properly authorized, and task and subtask codes are correct before submitting to Accounts Payable.
6. Manage home office coordination and communication with the project’s Subcontractors. Convene and lead coordination meetings and technical input, and ensure proper review of Subcontractor’s invoices.
7. Coordinate international procurement of restricted goods (i.e. vehicles and pharmaceuticals) for the project with the relevant level MSH Procurement Officer.(applicable in complex countries or if no PO assigned)

C. Home Office (HO) Support

1. Manage the assigned country programs support teams; plan and facilitate communication with the Project Director and senior project staff; plan and facilitate coordination meetings with home office-based country support team emphasizing the need for focused and timely support. Maintain project pending list.
2. Supervise HO teams junior personnel as required
3. Coordinate work of HO team members in assuring the establishment of policies and procedures at project level, following guidelines stated in MSH Project Management Manual.
4. Ensure that proper and timely home office support is provided to expatriate staff including to/from post travel.(applicable in complex countries or if no PO assigned)
5. Ensure that staff, including those providing short-term technical assistance (STTA) and consultants, comply with MSH project management policies and procedures, and oversee the support provided for their logistics and travel. Initiate and maintain communications with outside consultants, before, during and after the assignment.
6. Work with the Project Director and Deputy Director to identify potential cost share opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree, or equivalent experience, in Business Administration, Finance, Public Health Management, or related international development field.
2. Significant (at least 3 years) experience managing overseas projects, preferably with USAID funding.
3. Significant time spent working and traveling in developing countries. Demonstrated sensitivity to developing country issues.
4. Demonstrated managerial and supervisory skills.
5. Solid command of financial management concepts and execution.
6. Understanding of contractual and compliance issues.
7. Ability to work independently.
8. Demonstrated good judgment for decision making.
9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability in consensus building, and to constructively lead a team.
10. Fluent English; ability to speak a second language strongly desired.
11. Strong computer skills; MS Office, MS Project, Power Point preferred.
12. Ability to travel internationally up to 25% time.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap, or status as a disabled or Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. www.globaljobscareer.blogspot.com, 

How to apply: 

To apply for this position, please visit the Employment Opportunities section of our website at https://jobs-msh.icims.com/jobs/4442/job