Vacancy Announcement from Save the Children
Program Manager – MCGL
The Opportunity
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfill their potential. We work together, with our partners from civil societies and government, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. We reached approximately two million populations and invests over 40 million US dollars annually to reach more children than ever before, through programs in Health, Nutrition, Education, Protection and Child Rights and Governance, Livelihood, HIV and AIDS, and Humanitarian crises.
The postholder will be responsible for managing the overall USAID-funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) project, which includes focuses on high quality nurturing care for all newborns, including Small, Sick Newborns (SSNB), Quality of Care (QoC), intrapartum nutrition and maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR). The project runs in close collaboration and partnership with the Government of Nepal, UN agencies Non-Government Organizations and the technical support team at Save the Children US (SCUS).
S/he will closely coordinate with the Family Welfare Division of the MOHP, USAID, USAID’s Suahaara II project, USAID’s SSBH project, and other line agencies supporting maternal and newborn health programs in Nepal. S/he will provide technical inputs and provide technical inputs to health and nutrition program design, research, surveys and monitoring as required. S/he will be accountable for the timely implementation and monitoring of the project activities and budget. In addition, the position holder will lead the day-to-day operations and management of the project activities, including the recruitment and management of a data consultancy firm.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Technical responsibilities
- Lead and provide strategic, managerial and technical support to all components of the USAID-funded MCGL project to ensure the correct and timely implementation of activities.
- Lead and provide technical inputs in implementing a comprehensive model for SSNB care to be tested in selected facilities through relevant government bodies, professional associations and key stakeholders
- Lead the technical discussions of the stakeholders to review WHO SSNB WHO SSNB standards, help in identifying gaps in current implementation and prioritize select quality statements for testing and implementation through existing mechanisms of government and partners
- Lead communications with bilateral projects, such as SSBH or Suahaara, to ensure that the MCGL project has an effective and collaborative working relationship to achieve shared objectives.
- Lead and be accountable for activities contributing to improved quality of nutrition and quality of care for SSNBs, including one formative assessment to understand health providers’ and families’ perspectives on practicing nutrition behaviours for SSNBs (during inpatient care, during post discharge follow up care); and a second formative assessment on intrapartum nutrition practices during in-facility deliveries for low-risk mothers.
- Lead activities to prioritize quality improvement (QI) measures and build capacity of managers to use these measures to improve postnatal care for women and newborns and care of SSNBs.
- Build capacity of team members on newborn health and QI as required.
- Lead regular and open communication with MCGL HQ regarding progress on technical aspects, budget management, data collection agency recruitment, and proactively advising of potential challenges and proposing mitigating measures, as relevant. Given the time difference between Kathmandu and Washington DC communications (e.g. weekly coordination calls) may take place out of standard office hours.
- Provide overall support to Maternal and peri-natal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) activities at federal and provincial level with support from team
- Lead MCGL team in consultation with line agencies and government stakeholders.
- Work in close coordination with the Sr. Program Manager, Health Advisor, MCGL HQ team and the Family Welfare Division to provide technical support to implement project activities
- Develop, conduct and track activities as outlined in the workplan and budget, provide inputs for reports as required, and ensure timely budget spending (as budget holder for the project).
- Manage the MCGL/Nepal team and provide mentoring support as and where required.
Managerial and financial responsibilities
- Coordinate with partners in country for consultation meetings e.g. USAID-funded SSBH, WHO, UNICEF, etc.
- Manage the project (programmatic, financial and human resources) in line with the approved project documents, including recruiting and managing data collection firm, in consultation with supervisor and ensure quality results.
- Oversee day-to-day operations and management of activities for each of the project components-ensuring coordination between the team members in different components to ensure that all components are on track.
- Maintain regular communication and provide updates to donors, governmental stakeholders, MCGL headquarters team and external consultants for technical and operational aspects of the project.
- Ensure timely planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and documentation/reporting of the project activities.
- Regularly monitor financial expenditures and ensure adequate burn rate of the project funds with support from finance department.
- Identify and manage national consultants providing short-term technical assistance to project activities, as planned and when required.
Documentation, reporting, research and learning
- Responsible for preparing donor reports on MCGL project
- Lead and Manage the learning agenda for MCGL-led research activities.
- Ensure that all donor reports required by Save the Children are produced on time and are of a consistently high quality.
- Organize and participate in learning and knowledge-sharing events at national and sub-national levels.
- Take lead in program progress documentation, evaluation and research and coordinate the dissemination of achievements and lessons learned with wider stakeholders, including global audience(s)
Additional responsibilities
- Provide technical inputs in MNH related issues, including support to the country strategy and learning agenda.
- Represent research programs at national and international level, as and when required.
- Support SC Health and Nutrition teams for smooth operations and quality results as and when required.
- Update the SC country office, Health and Nutrition departments, government counterparts and External Development Partners regarding project progress, challenges, the way forward and sustainability approaches of the key achievements.
Occasional Significant Duties:
- Represent SC within regional, national and international forum as per need.
- Work as a resource person with different external visitors.
- Participate in strategic planning process.
- Work as team member in an emergency situation.
Support Save the Children’s dual mandate of development programs as well as Humanitarian response for children and communities
Qualifications and Experience
- MBBS with DCH/MD in Pediatrics, community medicine or relevant stream/Master of Public Health /MSc in Public Health/Master in related public health field. (PhD Preferable)
- At least 7 years of progressive work experience in health projects (5 years for GSI group).
- Work experience in new-born health will be preferred.
- Experience working effectively with government bodies, professional organizations preferred.
- Experiences in USG funded programs desirable.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent leadership and managerial skills.
- Comfortable taking the initiative with the ability to work independently.
- Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PPT, data analysis software e.g. Nvivio, and other basic computer software).
- Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple competing demands, able to work to tight deadlines under pressure.
- Proficient in writing technical and programmatic reports that document program direction and results.
- Good and clear oral and written communication skills.
ATTRIBUTES
- Reliable, trustworthy and committed team player.
ESSENTIAL
- Report writing
- Advocacy and lobbying
- Representation and negotiation
- Analytical skills, collaboration
- Monitoring and evaluation
DESIRABLE
- Experience in research
Required No.(s): 1(Nepali Citizens only)
Contract length: Fixed Term
Location: Based in Kathmandu, Country Office
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
- No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
- All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
- Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.
Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Location: Kathmandu
Employee Status: Fixed Term
Closing Date: Dec 19, 2021
