Health Systems Strengthening Director | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2023

Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development consulting company that operates in over 80 countries and is dedicated to helping people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives.

Chemonics is seeking a Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Director for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Strengthening Local Health Systems (SLHS) program in Bangladesh. The program focuses on improving health outcomes for all Bangladeshis by strengthening the local health systems ability to deliver quality, equitable, and integrated health services.

The HSS Director reports directly to the Chief of Party. S/he will work with local level health authorities (district health administrators, facility managers, etc.) to ensure the implementation of high impact, evidence-based targeted HSS interventions at/below the district level to meet program objectives. S/he provides technical and programmatic leadership in design and implementation of key program activities throughout the targeted districts and oversees the work of technical staff/consultants.

This anticipated as key position that is contingent upon USAID approval and funding.

Responsibilities include:

• Leads the co-creation of evidence-based, localized, and context-specific HSS interventions in close collaboration with local actors/stakeholders, including the co-design, planning, roll-out, and monitoring and evaluation of interventions that address systemic issues preventing the delivery of high quality and equitable health services in target districts;
• Leads capacity building efforts that strengthen the local authorities’ capabilities in evidence-based district-level planning, budgeting, and resource optimization;
• Oversees assessments of various types/levels of health facilities and programs in the targeted districts to gauge preparedness, facility readiness and identify operational bottlenecks and performance gaps to be addressed;
• Collaborates with local stakeholders and project technical staff/consultants to innovate, synthesize, test, document, and disseminate novel and creative approaches to holistically address local health system challenges.
• Represents the project in shared learning activities and t national/ international events;
• Provides overall technical leadership and guidance to the project team, monitors country-level activities, and dynamically reviews technical support needs and responses using MEL processes and feedback loops;
• Adopts appropriate mechanisms for reporting the results of project activities to the COP including developing progress and annual reports;
• In collaboration with the COP, ensures that the program is delivered according to the contractual requirements of USAID and the Government of Bangladesh/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) i.e., that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules, and other requirements or criteria are fulfilled;
• Maintains good working relationships with federal and local health officials, government ministries, implementing partners, international/national NGOs, community and other key stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree is required;
• Minimum 7-10 years’ of professional experience designing and implementing health system strengthening activities, including quality improvement, advancing equity and access, and/or developing human resources for health;
• At least five years of senior program experience working and living in Bangladesh or in the Asia region;
• In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations, donors and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team settings;
• Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments is important;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Commitment to local ownership of the project/process and ability to propel locally-led solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public health or related field;
• Personal and professional commitment to health system capacity building, and addressing health equity issues;
• Demonstrated commitment to innovating and adapting, delivering results, creativity in problem solving and decision-making;
• Knowledge of national language preferred.