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Job Title:Country Director, Nigeria

Location:Abuja, NigeriaPosting Date:05/08/2013Deadline Date:05/29/2013Description:

JSI's integrated field office in Nigeria manages operations for the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) Project, USAID | DELIVER PROJECT (two separate Task Orders), and a flexible number of smaller grants or contracts for related activities under JSI's Center for Health Logistics. The office also provides procurement and supply management support for the Global Fund, the Government of Nigeria HIV/AID commodity management and for products supplied by CHAI. The accelerated growth of JSI's PSM-related work in Nigeria requires adequate management oversight to ensure quality technical work.

The SCMS and USAID | DELIVER Country Director, Nigeria has overall responsibility for planning and coordination of all project-related activities and personnel in Nigeria. He/she represents the SCMS Project, the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, and JSI Health Logistics to the Federal Ministry of Health, US Government agencies, and other donors and cooperating agencies. He/she is responsible for strategic leadership of all JSI's public health supply chain management work in Nigeria and promotes health commodity security through collaboration with other stakeholders and implementation of best practices in the forecasting, financing, procurement, storage, distribution, and information management for health commodities, especially reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV & AIDS, TB and malaria commodities, as requested by the FMOH, USAID Mission, and other funders.

The office has grown considerably in the last five years with approximately 125 staff working in a central office in Abuja, a satellite office in Cross Rivers, and a number of staff located at the state level. The overall program budget is $145 million in FY 2013, with $111 million for commodity procurement and $34 million for technical assistance. The office has evolved from solely advising the government on supply chain management to the provision of the direct logistic services along with the technical assistance

RESPONSIBILITIESResponsibilities include client engagement, development of technical strategies and work plans, monitoring programmatic, financial and administrative performance, supervising and ensuring that the office follows standard project administrative and financial procedures, managing the short and long term technical assistance and maintaining effective communication with the country management team in the Home Office, the US government (USG) team, public, private, and FBO/NGO sector implementing programs, and other USG cooperating agencies.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain positive and productive working relationships with clients and partners including USAID, CDC, US Department of Defense HIV Program, Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Health and other Government of Nigeria Agencies.
• Ensure positive and productive working relations and an open and regular communication flows are maintained within the field office(s) and between the field and HQ.
• Work with the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT Regional Manager (RM) to develop and implement annual Country Strategy documents, workplans and budgets that reflect the priorities of USAID, the FMOH, and other stakeholders.
• Work with SCMS Global Program Manager (GPM) to develop and implement a Country Strategic Plan to guide the workplan development and activities of SCMS Nigeria.
• Develop and implement staffing, technical assistance, and procurement plans that lead to the effective implementation of the project's strategy and workplan.
• Identify, develop and maintain strategic alliances that will enable project works in close collaboration with other supply chain programs, specifically JSI Logistics Services.
• Ensure that strategies, work plans and budgets are aligned with USAID Mission and HQ strategic directions.
• Strategically identify capacity gaps and arrange for appropriate training of field staff.
• Obtain necessary travel approvals and compliance requirements related to the provision of short-term technical assistance.
• Ensure the use of appropriate management methodologies, to plan, organize and control resources to achieve goals.
• In collaboration with HQ, develop/update and implement a Performance Monitoring Plan that encompasses commodity security and logistics management indicators and that includes HQ-defined project-wide performance measures.
• Oversee regular data collection and reporting and lead quarterly reviews of performance analysis to identify issues and drive evidence-based interventions.
• Manage the operation of the office in adherence with policies and procedures established by JSI, project management, including HR management, procurement, finance, administration.
• Oversee finances and cash flow. For SCMS, ensure 12 month expenditure forecasts are prepared, reviewed and submitted to the PMO quarterly.
• Identify and recruit staff for the field office.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies for procurement and logistics services. Assess risks quarterly and implement risk management/mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with Field Office Managed Procurement SOPs; supplier order fulfillment; order tracking; customs clearance/freight forwarding; storage and distribution; and logistics management information systems.
• Ensure the technical integrity of the project
• Lead, mentor, and motivate the team
• Represent positively the projects in meetings and gatherings.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders in the provision of assistance to build the capacity and capability of national systems.
• Report results of the projects' work to USAID, FMOH, other funders, and HQ. Ensure the timely submission of all deliverables.
• Identify opportunities for growth and work with HQ to respond to growing demand for supply chain strengthening.
• Coordinate and collaborate with any other JSI projects that may be operating in country.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-graduate or graduate degree in public health, management, or equivalent education or equivalent work experience required.
• Significant developing country experience in public health program management including HIV, malaria, and family planning, and/or pharmaceutical supply chain strengthening required.
• Proven ability to effectively network and negotiate with host government agencies, USG representatives and managers, USG contractors, and NGO community. Proven success in engaging USAID and senior local government clients required.
• A proven ability to rapidly analyze an existing situation, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and build on its strengths to achieve program objectives required.
• Proven capacity in strategic planning for in-country public health program implementation.
• Proven success in managing and implementing complex USAID-funded public health programs or projects in a developing country context, with five years or more management experience preferred.
• Proven experience in managing, motivating, and supervising teams required.
• Proven capacity to work independently and to function as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong representational and interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English required.
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with Pipeline Software and Quantimed Software is a plus.
• Experience with USAID management and financial procedures desired.

The Country Director reports to the SCMS Deputy Director for Field Program Support, with functional supervision being provided by the SCMS GPM and the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT RM in the projects' home offices in Arlington, Virginia, USA. While the Country Director will have the assistance and support of a Deputy COP for SCMS, a Deputy COP for the Task Order Public Health and a Deputy COP for Task Order Malaria, ultimate accountability resides with the Country Director.

This is a full-time position requiring on-site presence in Nigeria with considerable domestic travel to provide technical assistance and some international travel.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 05/29/2013.

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Via: NaijaJobsDaily