We require suitably qualified candidates to fill the position below:
Open To: All Interested Candidates
Position: Project Management Specialist (Capacity Building), FSN-11
Opening Date: May 9,2011
Closing Date: May 20,2011
Work Hours: Full-time; 40 hours/week
Salary: FSN:N5,050,289.00 pa (Starting basic salary on FSN-11 Position Grade)
In add-on to the basic salary, all allowances will be paid in accordance with the Mission Local Compensation Plan. USAID/Nigeria in Abuja is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position of Project Management Specialist (Capacity Building) in the HI V/AIDS and TB Office.
Basic Function of the Position:
The Project Management Specialist (Capacity Building) provides technical and program expertise to the HIV/AIDS/TB Team and the Health Systems Strengthening Work Group. The primary responsibilities of the Specialist is to support the Health Systems Strengthening Work Group Lead in providing technical leadership to the Government of Nigeria (GoN) and others working to strengthen the capacity of local, Nigerian organizations and institutions (civil society, faith-based, public, private etcE) in the health sector to adequately respond to the needs of the populations they serve. The Specialist will focus on non-clinical policy and organizational issues in the health sector including, but not limited to, health care financing, human resources for health, health policy and governance. S/he will work to affect change in GoN health policy, and systems to institute lasting and sustainable financing, human resource for health development and responsive governance to improve performance and quality of key public health services. The Specialist provides technical advice on organizational capacity building matters to members of the HIV/AIDS/TB Team, and to other Mission staff as needed. This includes serving as COTR/AOTR for bilateral agreements or contracts, serving as Activity Manager of field support activities, participating in design of new health policy and capacity building programs/projects and evaluation of ongoing programming, advising the Mission and other stakeholders (including the Ministry of (MOH) and other donors) on best health policy and organizational practices participating in relevant sector-wide technical 3 groups with the MOH and other donors, and helping USAID/Nigeria integrate health policy and finance programs and into other areas of the Mission portfolio. He/she keeps abreast of current publications and information on policy change and National finance, :human resources for health and health systems governance in Nigeria, and related issues, concerns, and practices, and their programming in developing countries, in order to advise the Mission.
Duties and Responsibilities:
a. Program/Project Management:
The Specialist is responsible for (1) coordinating capacity building efforts within the HIV/AIDS & TB Team portfolio (2) serving as COTR/AOTR and/or Activity Manager for selected implementing partners (3) working with USAID/Nigeria-supported implementing partners to ensure high-quality services in accordance with national and international standards, innovations, best being provided; (4) monitoring and evaluating capacity building programs/projects and services through site visits, reporting, and trends analysis; (5) working in close collaboration with the MOH, policy-development institutions, think tanks, and others to ensure progress on policy and organizational reforms; (6) facilitating the development of project work plans, performance monitoring plans, and coordinates preparations for portfolio reviews; (7) participating in the review of annual, semi-annual, and quarterly reports, and request or participates in other reports as needed (8) conducting site visits to keep abreast of Work Group aspects of HIV/AIDS/TB Team portfolio with particular emphasis on health policy and systems.
b. Technical Advice and Advocacy:
The Specialist is responsible for (1 ) working with the Work Group Lead to strengthen USAID/Nigeria’s strategic and programmatic directions and supports the HIV/AIDS & TB Team efforts to address capacity building needs within the health sector; (2) supporting the design, implementation and oversight of projects and activities in human resources for health, health care financing and health systems governance with special emphasis on implementing best practices in Nigeria; (3) developing appropriate opportunities to integrate awareness of internationally recognized best practices in organizational capacity and institutional change through policy dialogue, especially in the areas health care financing and human resources for health; (4) supporting program planning and implementation across all HIV/AIDS/TB Team Work Groups, including increasing the awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS on USAID progress in the areas of economic growth, peace, democracy and governance, etc.; (5) assisting senior USG, USAID/Nigeria, Office. Team, and Work Group staff in representing USAID to a variety of stakeholders at both the national and international level in order to develop effective and sustainable strategies to meet national and international standards, and to achieve national and PEPFAR goals; (6) collaborating with other Health Systems Strengthening Work Group members in preparation and presentation of PEPFAR deliverables, and assists in monitoring Mission and USG progress toward meeting country ownership objectives; (7) supporting and advocate for broader engagement of local Nigerian organizations in the health policy processes and implementation.
c. Other
The Specialist is responsible for (1) maintaining a liaison between USAID/Nigeria and the GoN as well as with other stakeholders on issues related to institutional capacity building and organizational change for sustainable response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria; (2) providing technical guidance and leadership at the national and sub-national levels including participation in government-led health partners meetings; (3) keeping abreast of trends, policies, GoN needs, and other donor programs in the sector, and advises the USG Team in the implementation of best practices; (4) supports ongoing and constantly improving relations with the GoN, USAID/Nigeria-supported implementing partners, other USG agencies, and external organizations and counterparts; (5) ensures capacity is developed in the technical aspects of health policy and sector reforms; (6) participates in budgeting and financial analysis with other Work Groups, and with other groups and/or teams in areas related to health systems and policies; (7) mentors Project Management Specialists and Assistants and Administrative Assistants in the Work Group, and backstops other Health Systems Strengthening Work Group members.
The Specialist performs other duties as assigned and/or required.
A copy of the complete duties and responsibilities is available in the Human Resources Office. Contact (09-461-9319).
Minimum Requirement
1. Education: Applicant must possess a Master’s degree in one of the followings fields of study is required: Public Administration, Organizational Management, Finance, Business Administration, Public Health, International Relations, Development or Policy.
2. Experience: Five to seven years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in health policy development, organizational capacity building and health sector reform is required. Experience must have provided for work in a health policy, human resources for health and/or health financing capacity-building role, and the opportunity for performing project design, program planning, and/or implementation work. At least two years of this experience should be in a developing country setting, and/or in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of health systems strengthening and organizational capacity building intervention in the public health sector, donor organizations, and private sector institutions including civil society organizations. Demonstrated state-of-the-art knowledge related to health policy development or national or public finance, and experience working or collaborating with other donors, governments, international organizations, etc. is required.
3. Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English oral and writing ability is required.
4. Knowledge: Knowledge of the major issues affecting people with or affected by HIV/AIDS/TB in all geographic regions in Nigeria is required, including technical, social, and cultural aspects. State-of-the art, specialized knowledge of organizational capacityty and health sector reform for sustainability and local ownership is required. A demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of GoN policies and programs in the sector is required. A thorough knowledge of the Nigerian economic political, social, and cultural characteristics, and the history of development assistance, in particular as it relates to heath policy, financing, human resources for health, service delivery and governance in Nigeria, including current trends and directions, is required.
Further the candidate should be able to demonstrate some familiarity with USAID’s global procurement reform agenda USAID FORWARD (http://forward.usaid.gov/home or http://www.usaid.gov/press/factsheets/2010/fs101118.html).
5. Skills and Abilities: Must be able to work effectively with mid- and senior-level public and private sector officiate from the GON and implementing partners. Must be able to work effectively in a team environment, and coordinate well with others. Must be able to develop effective and collaborative manager-to-manager relationships with implementing partners. The work requires excellent writing and computer skills, in order to develop presentations, reports, etc. Diplomacy, tact, cultural sensitivity, and Team participation are required, in order to establish and maintain effective working relationships within USAID/Nigeria, and with tie Nigerian public and private sectors. Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to multi-task and stay organized in a complex, frequently changing environment is a requirement. Demonstrated advanced analytical skills and problem solving, as well as the ability to effectively manage stress and conflict, is required.
Selection Process:
It is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.
Additional Selection Criteria:
- Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy
- Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
- Current employees who are qualified will be given preference
- Only successful applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be notified.
- The Human Resources Office will NOT accept applications or resume submitted in U.S. Government official envelopes
- The minimum requirements must adequately addressed in the cover letter of your application package . Failure to do so will disqualify your application.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following, or the application will not be considered.
1. A type-written application specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae, listing all job responsibilities plus
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above
4. Please indicate position title and vacancy announcement number on the top right subject line of the application letter
Submit Application To:
USAID Nigeria
ATTN: Human Resource Office
c/o U.S. Embassy
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District
Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Point of Contact
Tel: 09-461-9300 ext 9319
Closing date for this position is May 20th 2011. An equal Opportunity Employer.
