OPPORTUNITE - COUNTRY DIRECTOR

HELEN KELLER INTERNATIONALRECRUITS

COUNTRY DIRECTOR

Country Program Overview:

HKI started its programs in Côte d’Ivoire in 2000. HKI supports government’s efforts to reduce child morbidity and mortality, by supporting national initiatives for maternal and child survival. In particular, HKI is actively involved in the fight against malnutrition by implementing a wide range of activities including: vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) and agricultural for nutrition programs targeting small holder women farmers.

HKI also plays a key role in the definition of health and nutrition policies and guidelines in the country, and is part of several steering and consultative committees concerning child health and nutrition and health systems strengthening. HKI is also a member of the SUN Technical Committee for Côte d’Ivoire. Efforts need to be made to develop new strategies and approaches to achieve universal coverage for vitamin A supplementation using both routine health services and child health days.

Finally, HKI regularly implements projects for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). HKI provides technical assistance and financial support to the national programs involved in the control of NTDs in their work to map diseases and provide treatment through mass drug administration for onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis and soil transmitted helminthes, with a focus on elimination.

HKI-Côte d’Ivoire works with several institutional partners (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Animal Resources, Ministry of Solidarity and Family, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Commerce), research institutions, UN agencies, international and local NGOs and the private sector in the areas of public health, mother and child nutrition, food security, and the control of NTDs. HKI works nationwide for most of its policy work, but has also specific activities (including pilot initiatives) in 13 health districts.

HKI Côte d’Ivoire has positioned itself with a technical-assistance strategy. The program has an annual operating budget of around $2 million, with a slender but highly competent technical and administrative staff and programs focusing on quality and efficiency. HKI’s program in Côte d’Ivoire has been receiving funding by a various donors, including that Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and various foundations. Fundraising for the country program is both a challenge and priority for the near future.

Scope of the Position:

The Country Director (CD) has overall responsibility for supervising the implementation of HKI-Côte d’Ivoire programs and management of the office, including performance management of staff, to achieve the HKI mission and the objectives established in grants. The CD is responsible for representing HKI and securing additional funding for project activities in Côte d’Ivoire; support and expand HKI’s contribution to policy work in public health and nutrition in the country; developing and implementing strategic and annual plans to further the HKI’s mission in Côte d’Ivoire; program design, proposal development, implementation and reporting; financial and grants management; operations, security, and human resource management. This position is based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with travel to field sites. The CD reports to the Regional Director for West Africa (based in Dakar) and works closely with other staff members at HKI’s Africa regional office and headquarters. The CD leads and directly supervises the country management team, including the finance manager, the manager for administration and human resources and the different project managers.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Overall Management and Leadership
• Implement and periodically update HKI-Côte d’Ivoire strategic plan.
• Make rapid adjustments to HKI program, in line with our mission, but responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving political situation.
• Generate funding from international and bilateral agencies, donor agencies, corporations, and individuals in collaboration with national, regional and headquarters staff in alignment with the country office’s strategic plan.
• Manage financial resources and provide oversight for grants.
• Manage key project personnel including supporting their ongoing professional development.
• Provide vision and direction for overall program design and proposal development; program implementation and reporting; grant management; financial planning; and human resource planning and management.
• Represent HKI in formal and informal meetings with government officials, international donor agencies, and national technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.

Programmatic

• Provide technical input to the government, international donor agencies and technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.
• Oversee research design, dissemination of information gathered and advocacy to advance programmatic and policy changes.
• Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity.
• Ensure implementation of strong program monitoring, evaluation and learning functions.
• Disseminate findings from HKI projects that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in Côte d’Ivoire and internationally.
• Keep national partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program.

Financial and Administrative

• Work with HKI Regional Office and Headquarters to manage the development and implementation of annual country budgets.
• Prepare financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements.
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the guidelines established by the HKI Finance and Accounting Department and the Grants and Contracts Management Department.
• Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements.
• Hire and manage personnel for Côte d’Ivoire projects in compliance with HKI policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Qualifications:

• Minimum seven years of field experience in international public health or nutrition programs including demonstrated experience in program development, implementation and evaluation, plus a minimum master’s degree in public health, nutrition or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in, or willingness to learn about, nutrition and NTD control is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.
• Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding including donor cultivation and grants writing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff and other administrative and financial activities in developing country programs – five years’ experience in a management position.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and create budgets and monitor financial status.
• Experience in managing USAID or European Union projects and familiarity with their respective policies and regulations.
• Ability to design and implement workshops, seminars, surveys, monitoring systems and evaluations
• Experience in research design, data analysis and interpretation.
• Computer literacy, including use of Internet, word processing and spreadsheets. Experience with data analysis and cell phone data collection will be an advantage.
• Fluency in both English and French required: Excellent oral and written English language skills, good oral and written French language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications.
• An ability to maintain balance when under stress.
• The initial contract is for two years with possibility of renewal.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to: noting the job title in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Email : HKI.Recruitment@hki.org

No calls, please.

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