Program Manager, Maternal and Newborn Health, Maseru

1146

Overview

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

Although some progress has been made, Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates remain unacceptably high in Lesotho. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has decreased from 936 per 100,000 live births in 2006 (LPHC, 2006) to 618 per 100,000 in 2016 (LPHC, 2016) however, despite these gains, Lesotho is still far behind meeting its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 targets, with a lifetime risk of maternal death estimated at 1:32. Like the MMR, Lesotho’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is also unacceptably high. According to UNICEF, the NMR was 38.5 per 1,000 live births in 2016, representing only a small reduction since the 1990s when the NMR was 40 per 1,000 live births (https://data.unicef.org/resources/levels-trends-child-mortality/) .

Recognizing the need for an innovative and high impact response to reduce the high maternal and child mortality rates, CHAI – Lesotho in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other implementing partners, plans to roll out Maternal and Newborn Health program (M-MAMA) that will focus on expanding access to emergency transportation and strengthening referrals by establishing an innovative public-private Maternal and Newborn Emergency Transportation system (EmTS); and leveraging on other existing maternal and newborn interventions to accelerate reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in Lesotho. A timely referral network is essential to ensure that women and newborns can access facility services, and receive skilled care especially when complications arise. Improved, affordable and scalable transportation to health facilities will allow women to reach facilities in time for delivery, or to be quickly sent to higher levels for comprehensive emergency obstetric care when experiencing complications.

CHAI-Lesotho is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual with strong program management experience as a Program Manager, Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH). The Program Manager reports directly to the Country Director and manages a team at national and sub-national levels. The Program Manager provides the day to day management on program implementation, ensures timely completion and reporting of program deliverables, and manages the review, analysis and interpretation of program impact results. The position will be based in Maseru but frequent travels to the districts will be required.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and lead the execution of all components of the program, and ensure deliverables are met on time
  • Liaise closely with technical partners in government to monitor and evaluate interventions against objectives and targets
  • Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders in government, international partners, donors and NGOs, and ensure maximum coordination of resources and effort:
    • Work with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to coordinate M-MAMA EmTS engagements, trainings and awareness activities at district and community
    • Work with DHMTs to develop referral pathways
    • Work with designated IT program partners on technology software applications for the EmTS
    • Work with Government and partners to conduct routine program data reviews and provide program progress updates and reports as required
  • Lead in the preparation and monitoring of the budget and other finance related activities
  • Help identify new opportunities and good practice both externally and from within
  • Oversee the implementation of M-MAMA Project and other related MNH program work plans including program planning, budgeting, coordination, forecasting, monitoring and reporting
  • Develop and manage key relationships with government and implementing partners and other stakeholders at the national and sub national levels
  • Work with Government and program partners in the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of maternal and newborn emergency referral and transportation system (M-MAMA EmTS) at national, district and community levels
  • Collaborate with government at national and sub-national levels throughout planning and implementation phases to ensure skills transfer and government ownership, and provide technical support as needed
  • Manage communication with management and ensuring monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements to program donors are met on time
  • Manage, coach and mentor team members to ensure that they all work towards the same objectives
  • Promote a culture of high performance and accountability for outcomes and ensure coordination with other teams in the CHAI country office
  • Represent CHAI at policy and guidelines development forums at the national level, while providing technical support to sub national teams for same processes
  • Identify strategic areas for expansion or redirection and guide strategic planning or proposal development as needed
  • Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders in government, international partners, donors and NGOs, and ensure coordination of resources and efforts
  • Perform any other tasks assigned

Qualifications

  • Minimum of Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Science, Business Management, or Public Administration
  • 7+ years of experience in a demanding results driven environment, including previous successful experience of public health at community level
  • First-hand experience in program management or implementation preferably an MNH program or large public health program
  • High degree of understanding of MNH issues, a strong plus
  • Prior experience in managing referral networks in a private or public health sector is strongly preferred
  • Strong understanding of referral processes and emergency transportation networks is an added advantage
  • Prior experience in managing health technology or applications is an added advantage
  • Strong donor reporting and program documentation and communication skills
  • Experience being a tenacious manager, role model and team player who demonstrates exceptionally high performance and harnesses the same from a diverse, talented and dynamic team
  • Ability to manage and motivate program teams towards a collective goal and manage conflict in diverse teams
  • Strong experience in leading and managing in a fast-paced and changing environment, both internally and externally
  • Strong experience in coordinating national technical working groups and teams working closely with government ministries, partners and other stakeholders.
  • Ability to work effectively with different program partners and stakeholders to achieve collective program targets and goals
  • Ability to navigate complex government processes with multiple influencers, and effective at negotiating and achieving consensus
  • Ability to identify and manage program risks, proactively addressing or reporting issues before they affect program performance and donor relationships
  • Demonstrated strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and problem solving skills
  • Ability to make linkages between interventions/programs

#jobreference3

Apply here!

Comments

Selibeng.com
Whether you are looking for your first job, a better job or just want to manage the direction of your career, explore educational opportunities, and/or pursue entrepreneurship, Selibeng.com offers the resources you need to make it happen.