Job Description
Position: Chief of Party
Location: Kigali, Rwanda Division: International Health (IHD)
Contract: Vector Control TO1 Supervisor: Project Director
Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Vector Control Task Order 1. Task Order 1 will support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control approach with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria. Abt has implemented indoor residual spraying (IRS) for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality IRS programs and gathering the most comprehensive vector control entomological data in the world. Under this contract, Abt will expand entomological monitoring to guide programs focused on insecticide-treated mosquito nets and IRS and continue to assist PMI in reducing the burden of malaria through IRS and capacity building in 25 African countries where malaria is endemic. Abt also will continue to support PMI in IRS monitoring and evaluation, as well as environmental compliance.
Under the supervision of the US-based Project Director, the Chief of Party manages, and supervises the successful implementation of the Vector Control TO1 Project, and acts as the primary liaison between the project and the local USAID mission, the Ministry of Health’s Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division (MOPDD), other government agencies completing malaria control activities, and various other malaria stakeholders in-country. The COP is required to provide overall strategic direction, operations management, technical leadership, and financial and administrative compliance for all project activities to assure IRS campaigns meet desired outcomes, are completed on-time, and within budget.
Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:
- Represents Abt Associates and the VC TO1 Project to the PMI Advisor of the USAID Mission, the Ministry of Health, the MOPDD, and other key stakeholders.
- Carries full authority and accountability for project decisions, as delegated by the US-based Project Director.
- Sets and pursues a results-oriented program strategy in coordination with the project team and in consultation with USAID, other partners and stakeholders.
- Leads the development and production of all deliverables, including annual country work plans, semiannual reports, and End-of-Spray reports.
- Ensures that all country planning activities, spray operations, technical compliance measures, and other deliverables are achieved in a timely manner.
- Develops a capacity-building plan for transferring IRS knowledge and skills to local institutions, and develops important connections for assuring an increased role of local institutions in IRS campaign planning, implementation, and monitoring.
- Ensures that gender initiatives increase the participation of women at all levels and in all aspects of IRS programming, and ensures their safety.
- Supervises and mentors the Operations Manager, Technical Manager, Finance and Administrative Manager, and others as needed.
- Ensures that staff, team members and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities and comply with contract requirements, USAID and Abt policies and procedures.
- Oversees the development and timely implementation of monitoring plans for all project activities and ensures that data required for USAID performance benchmarks and results frameworks are produced.
- Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with USAID and Abt Associates requirements, procedures and practices.
- Ensures that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared.
- Maintain regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, in regards to project updates and general project management aspects.
Qualification requirements include the following:
- Master Degree (minimum), or a Doctorate Degree (desirable), in Public Health/Health Administration (or other relevant health specialization) or Business Administration. Candidates with Medical Degrees are also desirable.
- 15 years of relevant international health experience, including significant experience in the area of malaria prevention and control.
- Experience in the geographic/cultural region of the project is preferred.
- At least 5 years of senior project management experience in large international health projects/programs.
- Demonstrated leadership in management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, ranging from 10 to 30 employees.
- Experience managing a fast paced, results-oriented, deadline-driven project.
- Significant ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, ministry officials, and other development partners.
- Experience developing and communicating a project vision, aligning key stakeholders around the vision, and assuring the vision is translated into efficiently implemented program activities.
- Fluency in English (minimum) and Kinyarwanda (desirable)
- Ability to communicate and write reports and other professional documents in English.
How to Apply: Candidates who meet the above minimum requirements should submit application letter and detailed CV with contact information (including telephone & email) indicating the Title of the position they are applying for to:
Before October 25, 2019.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
