Senior Technical Manager, LMG/Sierra Leone

Job Description

OVERVIEW:

The Leadership, Management and Governance project (LMG) is a global five-year Cooperative Agreement (2011-2016) awarded by USAID/Washington, designed to strengthen and expand the people-centered capacity building strategy pioneered under the previous Leadership, Management, and Sustainability Program. The LMG project’s objective is to support health systems strengthening by addressing the gap in leadership, management and governance capacity of policy makers, health care providers and program managers to implement quality health services at all levels of the health system.

In Sierra Leone, a country devastated by civil war, weak governance and, recently, a devastating Ebola epidemic, building a sustainable health care system is extremely challenging. Now that the control of the Ebola epidemic is in sight, the government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are committed to re-build and strengthen a system which, for decades, has functioned poorly. Toward this goal, USAID/Sierra Leone, through the LMG project, will partner with the GoSL and stakeholders to leverage existing multi-sectoral programs to work toward building a sustainable health system.

The LMG project in Sierra Leone (LMG/Sierra Leone), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and partners, will develop a customized package of support in leadership, management, and governance to the central units governing the pharmaceutical sector as well as district level structures, including the district health management teams (DHMTs), hospitals, and peripheral health units (PHUs). The project will improve the health district leadership, management, and governance capacity and functioning with respect to the planning, oversight, coordination, and integration of Ebola and other health services (both clinical and community). Packages of support at the district level will be tailored to the specific needs of each district and determined based on a consultative process with district stakeholders working in the health sector.

LMG/Sierra Leone will partner with the MOHS partners to equip health leaders, managers, and senior officials with the necessary skills to better perform their roles in the health sector, with priority given to governance, leadership, management, and supply chain management. The project is committed to promoting local ownership for local results.

OVERALL RESPONSBILITIES:

The Senior Technical Advisor (STA), Leadership, Management and Governance, for the LMG project in Sierra Leone will provide technical assistance to the GoSL to design and implement key project activities. S/he will report to the LMG/Sierra Leone Project Director, and will be responsible for managing a team of technical advisors.

S/he will work in collaboration with USAID/Sierra Leone and local stakeholders to achieve project results ensure that up-to-date and strategic information on health systems strengthening strategies in the context of Ebola recovery are shared and disseminated for prompt and appropriate decision making.

The work involves complex and interrelated processes. The political environment requires a high degree of sensitivity and diplomacy in working with the GoSL and stakeholders, establishing dialogue, and developing activities to strengthen the local health system. The incumbent will require a depth of expertise that will allow her/him to provide leadership and management in the design and implementation of health systems strengthening programs, including the capability to identify and systematize otherwise diffuse issues.

SPECIFIC RESPONSBILITIES:

The Senior Technical Advisor, LMG/Sierra Leone, provides professional support to the GoSL to design and implement the project’s key objectives. Specific responsibilities could include support to the GoSL to[1]:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for supply chain management.
• Strengthen the leadership, management, and governance (L+M+G) capacity of the Directorate of Drugs and Medical Supplies, Pharmacy Board, and the National Pharmaceutical Procurement Unit (NPPU). Support includes but is not limited to conducting trainings in L+M+G, developing accountability and transparency mechanisms, and improving regulatory functions.
• Improve the leadership, management, and governance practices and capacity at the decentralized level of the health system (DHMTs, hospital, and PHUs) to lead initiatives to strengthen the health system. Identify and apply best practices to promote high quality project implementation.
• Increase coordination and accountability at the district and health facility levels.
• Establish mechanisms to increase the participation of local authorities, civil society, and local partners in identifying health sector priorities.
• Improve the functioning of the health information management system and health results monitoring practices at the district and health facility level.
• Strengthen health financing strategies and mechanisms.
• Assist in the identification of technical assistance needs and develop terms of reference for staff and short-term consultants.
• Conduct periodic internal assessment meetings to analyze and discuss progress towards achieving project results. Use data to inform project implementation and technical strategies.
• Conduct regular field visits to observe the implementation of project activities and validate reported information.

• Prepare and submit periodic technical reports regularly documenting project achievements at the central and decentralized levels.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, or MD) in a health-related field or management field required.
2. At least ten years of experience in progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing and managing health systems strengthening programs in developing countries, with a preference given to candidates with experience working in the West African region. Specialized experience in capacity building in the areas of leadership, management, and governance is strongly preferred.
3. Demonstrated experience managing successful teams comprised of experienced professionals.
4. Demonstrated technical leadership, program management, strategic planning, policy experience and problem solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive environment are required.
5. Experience with USAID-funded public health programs preferred.

1. Ability to work effectively with a broad range of Sierra Leone and USG personnel and partners, and demonstrated skills in donor coordination and collaboration. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to achieve consensus on and communication information related to policy, program and administrative matters is a must.

1. Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely – both orally and in writing – in English is essential.

1. Excellent verbal communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relationships at the highest level and a high level of trust with public/private organizations. Verbal communication skills are also used to negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members. Excellent written communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
2. Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Google platform, and other relevant software) are required for effectively operating in this position. Good computer skills are required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements.

[1] Specific responsibilities to be confirmed following approval of the project’s final project description.

About the Organization

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health, especially among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health.