About the Program
PATH is a five-year health sector strengthening program funded by the Australian Government in partnership with the Government of PNG between 2020 to 2025, aligned to PNG’s National Health Plan 2021-2030 and DFAT’s Health Portfolio Plan.
PATH’s end of investment outcomes (EOIO) are:
1. PHA’s more able to lead provincial health reform and manage effective, efficient, equitable and quality essential health services in selected provinces.
2. DFAT funded health services are demonstrating efficient and effective models of service delivery, influencing Provincial Health Authority (PHA) performance; and building sustainability by transitioning to PHA management in selected provinces.
The shared commitment by the Governments of PNG and Australia to the health sector recognises its importance to economic and social development in PNG. Healthy people are better placed to invest in their own education, businesses, and government. Strong health systems and quality service delivery are vital to regional security, stability, and prosperity.
At the subnational level, PATH has six demonstration provinces (Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britain, Western Highlands, West Sepik, Morobe and Western) and is working to build capacity for provincial health service delivery and to support the transition of DFAT funding to PHA management. Provincial facilitator teams have also been established to work closely with the PHAs. At the national level, PATH is working with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and other central agencies by sharing and analysing the experiences and practices needed to ensure the provincial health system can lead and manage health service delivery.
PATH’s intermediate outcome (IO’s) are: Provincial Health Authority Capacity, Accountability, Women in Leadership, Essential Services, and Health Security and Pandemic Response.
PATH is a locally led, adaptive, and politically informed program that seeks to maintain flexibility to respond to changing and local circumstances over the life of the program.
A PATH Joint Governance Structure has been established and is overseen by the PATH Steering Committee which includes senior representation from PNG National Departments of Health, Finance, Treasury, Planning and Monitoring, Provincial and Local Government Affairs (DPLGA), Personnel Management and the Australian High Commission (AHC). A PATH Sub-Committee, the Program Coordinating Committee, with the AHC, NDoH, DPLGA and PHAs will provide high level policy advice and strategic direction.
About the Opportunity
Reporting to the FHO Lead, the Senior Program Manager – Health, will have the program management responsibility of leading Implementing Service Providers (ISPs) and PHAs to ensure the grant(s) program targets, goals and activities are operationalised and implemented according to grants agreements and PATH’s overall plan and budget.
The Senior Program Manager – Health will:
- through the grant assigned by the FHO Lead, work to support GoPNG (NDOH), PHAs and their partners to focus on improving the planning and delivery of essential services with a focus on service delivery transition and integration.
- oversee and manage relationships with PATH ISPs and PHAs to manage grant pre-award, implementation and reporting requirements and facilitate targeted technical capacity support as needed from program partners.
- identify issues preventing the effective delivery of FHO grants by PHAs and look for opportunities to improve the delivery of Essential Services as outlined in the PATH Strategic Plan
- support coordination with program partners, technical partners, PHAs, advisers and ISPs and manage the day-to-day activities of the FHO team.
Key responsibilities
The Senior Program Manager, Health will report to Frontline Health Outcomes (FHO) Lead and will undertake the following responsibilities;
Leadership Support & Program Management
· Work with the FHO Lead on the transition and integration of Essential Services in alignment with the broader PATH Program Strategy
· Contribute to FHO strategy, Annual Workplan, Budget and wider PATH strategy, ensuring completion and implementation is in line with NDoH policies and NHP
· Utilise key technical skills to implement of FHO Workstream plans and Essential Services Intermediate Outcomes of the PATH strategic plan.
· In collaboration with FHO Team, provide regular reports on grantee(s) performance and progress and FHO Workstream activities to the Performance and Adaptive Systems (PAS) Unit meeting deliverable deadlines
· Contribute to updating and maintaining the FHO Risk Register
· Manage and coordinate activities, briefings, reports, and workshops
Grant Management
· Lead the end-to-end monitoring and reviewing of delegated grant(s) contract deliverables, workplan implementation, risk registers, budgets, the submission of quarterly Performance Framework results, communication products, GEDSI requirements, six-month reports, and annual reports
· Oversee the operations of the delegated grant(s), including proactively identifying potential problems and solutions that can contribute to improving PATH policies and work methods in managing FHO grants
· Ensure that grant delivery activities are aligned with PHA priorities the NHP and PATHs strategic Plan
· Lead the scheduling and delivery of monthly progress calls with each grantee to understand implementation progress, challenges and deliver general program updates including from technical support partners and ensure that call notes are shared with the FHO Lead, and/ or their delegate in a timely manner
· Conduct and oversee provincial level supervision visits and implementation monitoring in coordination with the PAS Unit
· Monitor and evaluate capacity and key aspects related to effective grant management, and performance of grants as outlined in the PATH Strategic Plan
· Monitor and manage the Public Financial Management (PFM) corrective action workplans for transition provinces in collaboration with the respective ISPs and PHAs.
· Actively promote gender equality, disability and social inclusion principles within PNG’s health system at national and provincial levels
· Support grantees, partners and national counterparts to understand and apply Adaptive Management and Thinking Working Politically (AMTWP) approaches to policy making and program delivery
Partner Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
· Effectively develop and maintain productive relationships with Grantees, PHAs, NDOH and DFAT
· Facilitate provinces to access technical assistance, training and capacity building support from UN agencies, ISPs or other sources as required
· Actively participate, contribute and where required present during grant governance and coordination meetings
· Contribute to briefs and reports as required
· Develop agendas and facilitate grantee workshops in coordination with the FHO Lead or their delegate
General
· Provide broader surge support to the PATH Program as required
· Any other duties as required by the Frontline Health Outcomes Lead or their delegate.
Key deliverables
Key working relationships
· ISP representatives
· Program Partners: NDoH, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI, DFAT and NZ MFAT.
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
· Masters or relevant Professional Tertiary Qualifications, with Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Allied Health cadres, Social Sciences, International Relations or Community Development, Grants Management.
· More than 5 years experience in a program management role in international or community development humanitarian or health-sector programs
· Understanding of grant management cycle including a demonstrated understanding of GESI principles and how they apply to aid programming and evaluation
· Experience in broad coordination and facilitation and capacity building to internal and external stakeholders.
· Excellent analytical and writing skills including the preparation of reports and briefs for internal and external stakeholder audiences.
· Demonstrated understanding of the PNG health sector (required) and sound understanding PNG Provincial Government systems and central agencies (DPM, DoF) sector will be highly regarded
· Multi-stakeholder engagement across large and complex cross-program environment with the ability to work in a political and cultural manner
How to Apply
Please submit your application online; attach your cover letter and CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the Key selection criteria of this role.
We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: 23 October 2022 #LI-AUSBRIT
Abt Associates is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.
We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com
Equity
Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Safeguarding
We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.
