Project Director

Our client, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) is a Christian not-for-profit organization based in Nairobi, Kenya. It is a Registered Trust of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK). The Organization’s core mandate is being a reliable supply chain for quality and affordable Health Products and Technologies, Quality Assurance and Health Advisory Services. MEDS was established in 1986 and serves clients spread all over Kenya and other regions in Africa and beyond.

MEDS has entered into a Contract with USAID Kenya and East Africa named USAID Supply Chain Strengthening. The purpose of the contract is to obtain efficient, reliable, and accountable supply chain management services for procurement, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities for HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Maternal/Neonatal/Child Health (MNCH) and Global Health Security (GHS) activities for patients across all 47 Counties in Kenya for adequate care, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases and other health needs.

The Board of Directors is seeking to recruit a suitable self-driven, results oriented and visionary Project Director with good professional and ethical standing to head the Project. The Project Director serves as a liaison and point of contact for USAID on matters related to overall program management. The Project Director will have regular contact with the Contracting Officer’s Representative and Contracting Officer and will have overall responsibility for program leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic leadership and oversight for the program;
• Serve as a liaison and point of contact for USAID on matters related to program management;
• Inform USAID about contract activities, progress against objectives and issues that arise in contract implementation;
• Cultivate and nurture strong and positive working relationships with stakeholders including USAID, Ministry of Health, KEMSA, County Government Health Officials and Health Facilities;
• Develop and implement annual work plans and budgets that reflect priorities of USAID and other stakeholders;
• Develop and nurture a dynamic and competent workforce for the project through a robust performance driven culture;
• Ensure efficient and effective performance management for achievement of project objectives;
• Prepare project budgets for resource allocation and approve expenditure for control and accountability;
• Oversee regular data collection and reporting and lead periodic reviews of performance analysis to identify issues and drive evidence-based interventions; and
• Report results of the projects’ work to Management, USAID, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree or higher in Supply Chain or a related field;
• A minimum of twelve (12) years of experience managing complex programs of similar size, scope, and complexity; or at least ten (10) years demonstrated senior management level experience overseeing supply chain management;
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in developing activity work plans, budgets, and managing implementation;
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to liaise and negotiate with key stakeholders at senior levels of US Government, Government of Kenya, and other organizations;
• Proven success in leading a Supply Chain Planning and Execution team to best-in-class performance;
• Knowledge of ERP systems, purchasing, receiving, warehousing, storage, and transportation activities;
• Experience in US Government (USG) funded programs and knowledge of USG funding compliance regulations;
• Excellent managerial and operational experience, preferably in managing large logistics projects involving coordination with multiple partners or institutions in Kenya or the region and in managing donor projects;
• Extensive experience in private sector and public-private partnerships health matters in Kenya with a preference for USAID related activities;
• Experience working with/for commercial private sector supply chain companies is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated team player with visionary leadership and demonstration of professional accomplishments;
• Strong quantitative skills, including data analysis and statistical interpretation;
• Excellent presentational and communication skills, written and oral proficiency in English; and
• Excellent past performance references.

MEDS will offer to the successful candidate comprehensive benefits package and a competitive salary structure commensurate with qualifications and experience.

If you are interested in this exciting role, please submit your application electronically including application cover letter, resume clearly articulating your accomplishments, current position and salary, contact information for at least three professional referees who must have supervised you at some point, and copy of National Identity or Passport.

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