Project Manager

Amref Global Health Security Unit

Global Health Security seeks to build strong and resilient public health systems to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats wherever they occur. The Amref GHS Unit, coordinated from Nairobi, Kenya, strengthens health systems’ capacity to reduce vulnerabilities to emerging and re-emerging disease threats for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The Unit is complementing the health security efforts of regional partners such as the Africa CDC, national players through the Ministries of Health, and other strategic partners to protect the lives and livelihoods of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Rockefeller Foundation has partnered with Amref to oversee the implementation of the ‘Increasing Access to Covid-19 Vaccines through Local Implementation project’. Through this support, Amref will make sub-grants to local organizations in multiple Vaccination Action Network (VAN) countries to implement activities that accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations by addressing demand-side barriers. Leveraging Amref’s extensive experience implementing COVID-19 vaccination programs and sub-granting to community-based organizations (CBOs), we will support activities primarily to enhance (1) demand creation for COVID-19 vaccines, with some additional support for (2) building health worker capacity and (3) vaccine administration to complement demand generation as needed.

Job Summary

The Project Manager will provide technical support and leadership in complementing government efforts to increase vaccination coverage in the region under the Rockefeller-funded Project. More specifically, the Project Manager will manage Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) to align their implementation strategy to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccination priorities and monitor the achievement of project deliverables as per the overall project’s objectives.

Job Responsibilities

Project management (70%)

• Provide leadership and management to LIPs in micro-planning to ensure alignment with MOH priorities in the respective countries.
• Provide day-to-day management of the Project in line with Amref and donor policies and regulations.
• Ensure timely and efficient achievement of the project’s objectives by coordinating LIP project implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide technical support to strengthen the capacity of LIPs to align with MOH priorities and enhance COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
• Provide technical guidance in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) and evidence generation across countries to inform GHS strategic priorities, continuous quality improvement, and development of knowledge products.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (10%)

• Support country LIP teams in developing MEAL frameworks aligned to the country micro plans.
• Ensure timely technical and financial reporting following donor-specific requirements and in compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Lead in weekly stakeholder review meetings and prepare technical reports relating to the Project as per donor requirements and internal purposes.
• Liaise with relevant departments to increase the visibility of the Amref health security efforts.
• Provide technical input and oversight in developing knowledge products and promote continuous multi-country learning to inform COVID-19 vaccination efforts across the sub-Saharan region.
• Provide technical input in the growth of the GHS program portfolio and overall management of health initiatives in the sub-Saharan region.

Human Resources Planning and Management (10%)

• In consultation with Amref HR offices and regional partners, determine project staffing requirements.
• In consultation with the HR department, lead in reviewing direct reports staff capacities, to effectively contribute to Amref’s GHS ambition.
• Identify staff development needs, provide coaching and mentoring, and link to training and development opportunities to spur performance.
• Drive the Amref staff culture initiatives to enhance collaboration across the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or related field.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 6-8 years relevant work experience in management of national and regional health programmes.
• Solid experience leading diverse teams and preferably managing a regional hub.
• Demonstrated experience of contributing to national/international public health emergency discourse to influence public health programming.
• Experience and strong reputation working with or liaising with government institutions and multilateral organizations and institutions would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership showing strategic thinking in design and execution of projects, including steering work planning, managing and mentoring colleagues, and overseeing compliant and cost-effective use of resources to deliver on objectives.

Skills and Abilities

• Proven management experience in supervision of staff in cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills and the ability to interact effectively with others, both internally and externally.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to perform multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines while maintaining accuracy and quality.