Job Title: Regional Program Specialist
Hiring Organization: International
Medical Corps
Location – Locality: Nairobi
Location – Region: Kenya
Industry: Healthcare
Job Type: Full
Time
Salary: KES
Competitive
Date Posted: 03/08/2024
Reporting
directly to the LEARN Deputy Chief of Party, the Regional Program Specialist
will manage the roles and responsibilities outlined below. The successful
applicant will have a demonstrated track record working on U.S.
Government-supported programs. Prior experience or understanding of infectious
disease, health systems, risk communication and community engagement is highly
valuable. The applicant will also have experience working effectively as a part
of diverse staff teams, and contributing to successful collaborations with
donors, organizational HQ, regional, and country program offices, host-country
ministries of health, and civil society.
Job
summary
The
Regional Program Specialist for the LEARN project will oversee and provide
crucial technical and management guidance for the capacity development of Local
and National Non-Governmental Organizations (LNNGOs) in responding to
infectious disease outbreaks. This role is pivotal in ensuring the capacity
development of selected LNNGOs in support of effective networks of local first
responders in LEARN’s priority countries. With expertise in Risk Communication
and Community Engagement, as well as infectious disease response programming,
the specialist will contribute to improving LNNGO readiness and multi-sectoral
response to outbreaks.
The
Regional Program Specialist will provide technical support on program design
and implementation, adhering to International Medical Corps (IMC) quality
principles and donor guidelines. They will actively contribute to preparing
annual program plans and reports, and support program coordination across the
LEARN project consortium. The specialist’s program management abilities and
technical expertise will play a crucial role in achieving project deliverables
and objectives while improving the timeliness, reach, and coverage of
multi-sectoral responses to infectious disease outbreaks across sub-Saharan
Africa.
To
perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each
essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.
Main
Tasks And Responsibilities
- Assist
LEARN project leadership in the effective administration and management of
operations across Human Resources, Finance, Compliance, IT, Logistics,
Procurement, Volunteer Engagement, Communications, and Program Quality,
ensuring highly efficient program implementation.
- Support
the development and implementation of and attend IMC’s project kick-off
meetings with the selected LNNGOs as well as monthly and quarterly LEARN
project management meetings, and other meetings at direction the DCoP and
program leadership team.
- Assist
consortium members with the understanding of required policies and
procedures as per the requirements of the donors and best practices
(procurement, financial reporting, child safeguarding, etc.)
- In
collaboration with the CoP and DCoP, serve as the primary liaison with
members of other International Medical Corps departments who are not
assigned to the Regional Team but who provide programming, logistical,
legal, security, human resource and communication oversight, input and/or
supervision, including country program teams.
- Raise
the profile of International Medical Corps, its work and the LEARN program
through active participation in forums, conferences, workshops, outreach
events, and communication opportunities, as needed.
- Foster
excellent working relationships with stakeholders, including consortium
members.
- Act
as liaison for the LEARN program with the partners and LNNGOs, advocating
for the needs of the program.
- Foster
a continuous understanding of the program operating environment.
- Collaborate
seamlessly with HQ and regional program staff to ensure the timely update,
accuracy, and relevance of all reporting, program data, and financial
information.
- Provide
robust support to LEARN project and assigned country leadership, ensuring
effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning for planned and implemented
programs through regular communication and as needed, field visits.
- Support
as needed the deployment of technical expertise, helping to ensure the
meticulous design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs
in all assigned country programs.
- Collaborate
with program leadership to develop comprehensive budgets and work plans,
maintaining a vigilant approach to effective budget monitoring, reporting,
and financial management for assigned countries.
- Support
timely and adequate cooperation with Grants and Finance teams regarding
review and approval of agreements (MOUs, contracts, etc.).
- Facilitate
program team with, in consultation with Grants and Finance teams, sub
partner relationships, including subcontract management and
review/approval of sub reports.
- Facilitate
liaison with the Marketing and Development Department, ensuring a thorough
review of all outgoing media communications for assigned countries.
- Champion
the implementation of robust safety and security management policies in
accordance with relevant IMC global personnel safety and security
policies. Collaborate with the Security Advisors to receive and monitor
incident reports from country programs, ensuring diligent follow-up and
compliance.
- Provide
essential support to project leadership on intricate legal issues,
necessitating organizational review and risk management.
- Perform
problem solving and mitigation as needed.
- Perform
other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this
document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and
not necessarily all inclusive.
Minimum
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s
degree in a relevant field
- Minimum
5 years of work experience in the humanitarian sector/with NGOs, with at
least 3 years of field-based experience in the health and program
management sectors.
- Good
skills and experience in all aspects of program cycle management – design
and development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
- Experience
in organizational capacity development, training, mentoring, and coaching
- Proven
experience in field-level representation with key stakeholders and
co-ordination with other NGOs/UN.
- Strong
analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan
strategically.
- An
excellent team player with good skills in teamwork and a consultative
approach to decision making.
- Excellent
communication skills, both oral and written, including a good track record
of report writing
- Politically
and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy
- Full
professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written; professional
proficiency in Arabic is a plus.
- The
capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in
difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
- Commitment
to the values, mission, and principles of International Medical Corps
- Typically,
a bachelor’s degree in public health, Social Work, International
Relations, Business Administration, International Development. Equivalent
combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as
appropriate.
- Ability
to effectively present information and respond to questions from
management and field programs.
- Outstanding
organizational skills.
- Excellent
communication skills, both oral and written.
- Excellent
self-motivation skills.
- Experience
in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, and the
ability to deal with a broad spectrum of people.
- Ability
to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently.
- Excellent
ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced and constantly changing
environment.
- Be
flexible and possess the ability to cope in stressful situations.
- Be
creative and possess the ability to work with limited resources.
- Strong
analytical and research skills.
- Ability
to assess field program needs.
- 75%
travel required.