Program Director, Nigeria

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Program Director, Nigeria,Accordia Global Health Foundation

THE ORGANIZATION: Established in 2004, Accordia Global Health Foundation is a non-profit organization with a proven approach for strengthening health capacity and leadership in Africa. We are backed by a distinguished alliance of experts in infectious disease and other disciplines, from leading academic institutions around the world. We work in partnership with individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments around the world, to pursue our shared vision of a vibrant healthy Africa where every individual can thrive.

Accordia takes a unique approach to meeting the needs of the African healthcare system, through the establishment and support of locally-owned institutions that combine robust research programs, innovative approaches to training, and locally relevant strategies for prevention, treatment and care. Such “Centers of Excellence” in health strengthen African health systems from within – and transform the communities they serve. Our flagship program is the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University – advancing and promoting the highest quality standards of infectious disease care through original research and healthcare workforce training in Uganda. Achieved through public-private partnership and multi-institutional collaboration, IDI serves as our model for sustainable, locally-owned, regional Centers of Excellence. Accordia now looks to build on that experience in other parts of Africa. More information about Accordia can be found on our website, at http://accordiafoundation.org/.

WEST AFRICAN INFECTIOUS DISEASES INSTITUTE (WAIDI): Accordia recently established WAIDI as a multi-institutional Center of Excellence for research and training in Nigeria. WAIDI is based in Abuja but relies on the strong engagement of various universities throughout the region; integrating their faculty and resources, and augmenting their capacity through international linkages and specialized infrastructure. The Institute will be locally owned and autonomous, strategically linking and supporting the region’s universities and other key health sector stakeholders, with the goal of strengthening local governments’ ability to set effective health policy, improve practice in the public and private sectors, and ensure better health outcomes for their populations.

POSITION LOCATION: Washington, DC / Abuja, Nigeria

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Senior Vice President, Global Health Programs (in Washington DC)

MAIN FUNCTION: The Program Director, Nigeria will lead new program development in Nigeria in close consultation with Accordia’s senior management. This position offers the rare opportunity for a creative and motivated professional to be part of a start-up team leading the establishment and growth of the West African Infectious Diseases Institute (WAIDI). WAIDI will be modeled on the highly successful Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and will conduct essential research and systems strengthening activities, with the goal of strengthening local governments’ ability to set effective health policy, improve practice in the public and private sectors, and ensure better health outcomes for their populations. The successful candidate will be charged with building relationships with the Nigerian government, academic institutions, the Nigerian and West African diaspora, other governments and the private sector; representing Accordia and WAIDI to U.S. Government agencies and other potential donors; and supporting Accordia corporate leadership in planning and implementation of activities in Nigeria.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• With senior management team, contributes to strategic and long-range planning for WAIDI and its programs in Nigeria and western Africa.
• With guidance from legal counsel, develops a specific plan for gradual WAIDI board expansion over the next several years.
• Continues to expand and manage the West African Academic Alliance, and coordinates the role of the WAIDI Steering Committee in finalizing the strategic plan for WAIDI.
• Serves as Accordia’s Country Lead for Nigeria and manages the internal cross-functional team to set priorities, develop workplans, and assign roles and responsibilities to achieve agreed upon annual goals for WAIDI.
• With support from Accordia’s Director of Program Development, identifies and pursues incremental funding opportunities for WAIDI programming, and pursues major resources for WAIDI infrastructure and multi-year strategic plan.
• Keeps Accordia staff well informed of the funding landscape in Nigeria, including available opportunities, pending proposals, and major awards to other organizations.
• Manages the planning and implementation of grant funded activities and identifies potential partners for joint-programming opportunities. Assists the Grants Management team to ensure effective grant monitoring and reporting to funding partners as needed.
• Oversees the establishment of administrative infrastructure and systems, including development of institutional policies, recruitment and managing of Abuja-based staff, negotiation of various forms of WAIDI membership, and management of contracts with local vendors.
• Builds relationships with relevant Nigerian government agencies, major corporations, foundations and other potential partners.
• Represents Accordia to U.S. Government, e.g. USAID, CDC, Department of Defense and other relevant stakeholders, and attends local meetings as appropriate.
• Represents Accordia to local media as requested by Senior Management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced degree(s) in public or international health. Candidates with a medical degree will be given preferential considerations.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten years professional experience in global health or international development, involving program development, strategic planning, and/or business planning and budgeting.
• Prior work experience in Nigeria essential.
• Prior work experience in an academic and/or research setting preferred.

Essential Requirements:

• Skilled at thinking strategically in a global health and infectious disease context, particularly as relates to health systems strengthening and infectious disease strategy and intervention.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively on complex global health issues, in writing and through public speaking.
• Superior organizational skills, project management skills, and previous managerial experience, including set-up of organizational infrastructure and procedures helpful.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a long-term vision with a unique attention to detail in a fast paced environment.
• Proven success in building, maintaining, and managing long-term relationships with colleagues, consultants, partners and funders.
• Position may be based in Washington, DC or Abuja, Nigeria and could require 30% travel.

COMPENSATION: Salary is commensurate with experience; excellent benefits package.

TO APPLY: Email cover letter, resume and writing sample to ProgramDirectorNigeria@accordiafoundation.org Applications must be received before January 18, 2013 to be considered.