Program Specialist - Sierra Leone

Job Description

Reporting to the ICAP Country Director in Sierra Leone and secondarily to the ICAP Deputy Director in the New York Implementation Unit, the Program Specialist provides project management and operational support to the ICAP Sierra Leone country office in support of donor funded program activities. The Program Specialist works with senior staff to ensure compliance with donor/sponsor requirements and to facilitate communication with donors/sponsors and ICAP New York (NY) staff. S/he assists ICAP Sierra Leone senior staff in the management of country office operations, including support for general financial and operational management, as well as with program planning and documentation of program achievements and reporting. S/he coordinates the interaction between the ICAP NY staff and in-country counterparts; ensures that in-country program/technical and financial/administrative staff have information required to facilitate both project-related decision-making and ICAP’s ability to meet donor/sponsor requirements and expectations. The Program Specialist supports in-country staff to develop programmatic and financial reports that are of high quality and are prepared in a manner that meets donor/sponsor requirements.

This position is grant funded.

• In collaboration with ICAP Sierra Leone leadership, supports and contributes to strategic planning and work plan development and monitoring
• Supports the development and implementation of management systems for country projects to achieve financial, administrative and programmatic goals and targets, including planning and monitoring program implementation and program budgets/expenditures
• Works closely with country staff and ICAP NY teams in the development of award budgets and budget justifications, including budget modifications
• Coordinates in country teams in the development and submission of required grant-related actions, including requests for prior approval for procurement of equipment, consultants and sub agreements to ensure they meet donor and ICAP/CU requirements
• Coordinates in country teams in the development and writing of project reports, and ensures that all donor reports and project write-ups, including but not limited to annual reports, success stories and program briefs, are data driven and articulate a compelling story
• Facilitates the management of sub-agreements with relevant country staff and NY Sub-award Managers
• Facilitates communication between NY or Regional -based ICAP leadership and counterparts in country programs via regular phone conferences and/or face-to-face meetings. Maintains regular communications with NY via e-mail and/or telephone to identify and discuss program issues, challenges, and solutions to the implementation of program activities
• Facilitates information flow between technical/program and finance/administrative staff in-country to ensure country operations support program and donor requirements, and are in compliance with ICAP standard operating procedures
• Acts as a secondary point of contact for communications with CDC, HRSA and other donors, participates in meetings with CDC and HRSA
• Supports new business development by assisting in the development of proposals in response to notifications of funding opportunities (NOFOs)
• Supports and coordinates training programs for in-country ICAP staff on Columbia University’s Policies and Procedures, ICAP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the USG/other donor- related rules and regulations
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• Master’s Degree in Public Health or related discipline

• 3+ years of experience working in public health program development, implementation and monitoring of international health programs, preferably in program areas directly related to health systems strengthening, HIV, malaria or tuberculosis programs. Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in budgeting, financial management, operations and logistics associated with donor/sponsor-supported international public health programs.
• Specific experience working with U.S. government (USG)-funded public health programs supported through grants, cooperative agreements and/or contracts (e.g., CDC, USAID) and working knowledge of USG rules and regulations.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral/written communications, including but not limited to: report writing, professional presentations, and project proposals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated experience operating in highly complex business environments
• Demonstrated experience working in a team-based environment, in exercising independent judgment and decision making and working with minimum supervision and direction within broad established guidelines.
• Competency and demonstrated experience in public speaking in order to present information to audiences of all sizes representing varied levels of technical expertise.
• Fluency in oral and written English required

• Prior supervisory and/or management experience within an international assistance organization
• Experience working on the implementation and evaluation of public health programs in sub Saharan Africa

• Requires two to four trips annually to ICAP NY headquarters with each trip lasting seven (7) to fourteen (14) days
• Requires periodic travel within Sierra Leone, with some trips requiring overnight stays.

To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to icap-jobs-sierraleone@columbia.edu with “Program Specialist” in the subject line.

About the Organization

ICAP was founded in 2003 at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Now a global leader with expertise in HIV prevention, care and treatment, and health systems strengthening, ICAP provides technical assistance and implementation support to governments and non-governmental organizations in more than 30 countries. ICAP has supported work at more than 5,300 health facilities around the world. More than 2.5 million people have received HIV care through ICAP-supported programs and nearly 1.4 million have begun antiretroviral therapy. Visit ICAP online at: icap.columbia.edu