Executive Director

John Snow Health Zambia (JSH) is a Zambian company committed to working with the governments, non-governmental entities, private sector, civil society and communities to improve the provision of public health services. JSH provides research and consultation services to improve the health of individuals and communities in Zambia and the region. JSH envisions mobilizing an equitable and effective health system that increases access to high-quality services, builds safe and healthy communities, and enables improved health outcomes for all. Through the use of evidence-based strategies, program management, technical assistance, research and evaluation, education, and training, JSH enables health professionals to provide effective and innovative human-centered design solutions to achieve increased use of health services and real time data to cater to families and communities. Our team consists of dedicated, talented professionals who are resourceful, take initiative, and collaborate to reach our ambitious organizational goals. In order to achieve our mission, JSH remains a client-focused organization that is both cause-driven and sustainable. We seek to achieve the highest professional standards through an organization that is decentralized and non-bureaucratic. JSH’s culture is intended to foster innovation and risk taking, empowering employees and enabling their best performance in the service of our clients.

JSH seeks a dynamic and highly experienced candidate for the position of JSH Executive Director (ED) to be based in Lusaka, Zambia. The JSH ED leads all JSH projects in Zambia and the region and is responsible for ensuring that each assigned Project Director or Chief of Party is achieving the project’s vision and strategy, directing the project technical team, and managing critical relationships with national and international partners and other key stakeholders. The ED has overall corporate compliance and fiscal responsibility for JSH, the projects in Zambia and the region, including achieving project results, effectively communicating accomplishments, reviewing and approving financial reports, and ensuring compliance with all donor, organizational and statutory regulations. The JSH Executive Director will devote approximately 50% of his/her time to new business development for JSH. The Executive Director will report to the JSH Board of Directors Chair and lead in the development and implementation of JSH’s mission and vision. In this role it is expected that the Executive Director will:

• Avoid conflict of interest and declare interest in any transaction in which JSH is involved.
• Act with care and skill exercising caution and competence in all situations as reasonable persons would under the circumstances.
• Maintain confidentiality and not make improper use of the privileged information obtained.
• Be fair in all dealings with colleagues and stakeholders acting without bias or favor.
• Act honorably and not engage in any conduct that may bring disrepute to JSH.

RESPONSIBILITIES

JSH Corporate Leadership

• Serve as JSH leader charged with the development and execution of overall company strategy and country business plan and achievement of results.
• Develop and oversee implementation and monitoring of a 5-year business and organizational plan for JSH.
• Ensure that JSH’s financial, contractual and human resources policies are enforced and that and the company’s ethics and compliance policies are followed universally.
• Provide oversight for the JSH financial management systems and ensure that they are in line with JSH policies and procedures, donor rules and regulations and Zambian statutory requirements.
• Develop and monitor a JSH corporate budget.
• Ensure preparation and submission of complete and accurate financial reports and budget requests to JSH stakeholders as required.
• Communicate with JSH’s lawyers on questions around JSH legal requirements.
• Maintain effective working relationships with governmental and international development partners, representing JSH’s interest and results in partner forums.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with national and provincial government entities to support new business development and project implementation.
• Represent JSH and overall portfolio of JSH-projects before the Government of the Republic of Zambia and donors (Project Directors/COPs will represent individual projects to GRZ and donors).
• Maintain a strong and wide network with key partners and stakeholders in Zambia, and ensure that JSH is represented on appropriate steering and advisory groups.
• Lead relationship management of affiliation with JSI.

JSH Project Leadership

• Work with the Project Directors/Chiefs of Party to oversee and monitor quality of implementation of project activities within the work plan, ensuring that activities are performed to a high professional standard, effectively implemented and fulfil donor and JSH’s requirements.
• Take the lead on senior-level policy dialogue with donor organizations and government as JSH’s designated representative, working in collaboration with Project Directors/Chiefs of Party as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with all JSH, donor-related and statutory policies in Zambia.
• Liaise with donor personnel, including Activity Managers and Contracts Manager on funded activities.
• Ensure effective communication across the project teams and relevant stakeholders. This includes (1) providing regular briefings and updates to relevant parties (e.g., supervisors) (2) facilitating regular team meetings to share information across projects and (3) contribute to positive and smoothly functioning relationships with external partners, including international partners and national implementing partners.
• Coordinate with donor implementing partners on common objectives and activities, as needed.
• Supervise and mentor all Project Directors/Chiefs of Party of JSH.

JSH New Business Development

• Develop new business in Zambia and the region – Identify and cultivate both public and private sector clients; develop and pitch project concepts that respond to the interests of potential clients; assist in the preparation of proposals in response to RFPs.
• Collaborate with JSI/SA to identify regional NBD opportunities
• Identify and lead approaches to non-traditional funding mechanisms.
• Actively pursue innovative ideas for new business development for JSH.
• Oversee the roll-out of each new funding approach and track results.
• Build JSH team’s capacity in customer relationship management and proposal development to increase the funding base.

It is expect that the Executive Director will also perform other duties that are in aligned with the position and that are assigned by the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree or higher in Business Administration, Strategic Management, Public Health, International Development, or equivalent public health project management experience;
• At least 7 years of demonstrated experience as a team leader/senior manager of international multi-million US dollar donor-funded, public health programs;
• In-depth knowledge of USG and other donor regulations, systems and procedures;
• Demonstrated ability to design and manage complex public health programs and lead teams of specialists in a range of public health disciplines, including supply chain, HIV/AIDS, immunization, family planning, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, etc.
• Strong program and project management skills are preferred as well as experience with establishing and maintaining operations systems (general management and administration) and oversight and management of project finances;
• Demonstrable ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, USAID, and donor other organizations;
• Past success building effective project teams and mentoring and supervising both technical and administrative staff;
• Strong computer skills and excellent written and oral communications skills in English;
• Proven record of coordinating diverse, multi-level teams across different geographies;
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge and documenting experiences;
• Self-directed, with the necessary vision and drive to lead new business development in Zambia and the region for JSH;
• Ability to work in a dynamic team-oriented environment but self-managing of own time;
• Demonstrable diplomacy, management judgement, team building, and negotiation skills; and
• Willingness and ability to travel in-country and internationally.