Technical Director for Health Systems Strengthening (HSS), USAID/Nigeria Health Project

Job Description

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) saves lives and improves health by helping public and private organizations throughout the world to effectively manage people, medicines, money, and information. Working from more than 30 country offices and our Arlington, Virginia and Medford, Massachusetts US headquarters, our staff from 65 nations is highly regarded for its technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting difference in health. We live our mission 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.

MSH is seeking a Technical Director for Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) for a USAID-supported health program in Nigeria. The proposed program will support USAID’s approaches to health systems strengthening (HSS) and reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) to improve the capacity of the Federal and State Ministry of Health (F/SMOH), local organizations, and communities to deliver quality, integrated health services. Building on the achievements of current and past USAID-supported activities, MSH will work through partnerships with the Government of Nigeria (GON), civil society, and local implementers to 1) increase resiliency, responsiveness, and accountability of the health system; 2) increase coverage and equitable access to essential primary health care interventions; and 3) work to increase the quality of evidence-based primary health interventions, toward the ultimate goal of sustainable improvements to the health status of the Nigerian population.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Technical Director for Health Systems Strengthening (TD HSS) will provide technical oversight and direction of activities to enhance local ownership and leadership and improve health systems at the federal, state, facility, and community levels. The TD HSS will support the program to deliver high-quality integrated health interventions and ensure that project activities align with relevant international standards and national/state policies, strategies, and plans. The TD HSS will coordinate among USAID, donors, contractors, and implementers, and Government of Nigeria institutions and representatives, particularly at the Federal and State Governments, Local Government Areas, Ward Development Council, local NGOs, FBOs, and civil society and community level to implement integrated health service delivery activities.

The TD HSS reports to the Chief of Party (COP), participates in the project leadership team, collaborates with the Technical Director for Health Service Delivery, and provides direct supervision to other technical staff. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the COP, ensure that the program is delivered according to donor and government requirements.

• Provide overall technical direction and guidance for the team in designing and delivering high-impact HSS innovations for improved comprehensive and integrated health building toward solid health systems at all levels.

• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s HSS interventions focused on the Federal and State Governments, Local Government Authorities, Ward Development Council, and local NGOs, faith-based organizations, and civil society.

• Develop and regularly update detailed annual work plans and ensure the team monitors progress towards completion and achievement of program objectives.

• Serve as key liaison and work collaboratively with USAID, other contractors and implementers, and numerous GON institutions and representatives, particularly at the federal and state level for HSS activities.

• Coordinate the HSS expertise of MSH and its sub-contractors, which will include international, national, and local organizations, so that the project’s HSS interventions are designed and implemented as a single package that includes the best expertise of MSH and each of its sub-contractors.

• Liaise with HSS counterparts in government and international development agencies and NGOs to coordinate and leverage the project’s HSS interventions.

• Support local partners to strengthen leadership and management capacities of national and sub-national government health systems and strengthening capacities of NGO administrative and financial systems, and oversight of grants programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in public health, social sciences or related field with at least 10+ years of senior-level HSS experience in health projects of equivalent size and complexity in Nigeria or West Africa,

A. USAID experience required,

B. HSS experience required; must include both government institutions and civil society organizations and

C. HSS experience required; must include at least four of the following HSS topics:

- human resource management,

- supply chain management,

- leadership and governance,

- program and financial planning and reporting,

- inter-institutional coordination and

- health information systems.

• Proven exceptional leadership in design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting

• Strong communication skills to fulfill the program’s diverse technical and managerial requirements and effectively coordinate with various stakeholders.

• Experience developing project vision, aligning key stakeholders around that vision, and assuring that the vision is translated into implementable strategies

• Demonstrated ability to lead HSS staff and consultants within a consortium of international and local sub-contractors to achieve measurable results within an integrated health program.

• Proven experience in engaging HSS representatives of the host country government, civil society organizations, international development organizations, and NGOs to support project implementation and/or to provide complementary resources to the project.

• Deep knowledge of USAID’s localization strategy and demonstrated experience in strengthening leadership and management capacities of national and sub-national government health systems and strengthening capacities of NGO administrative and financial systems, and oversight of grants programs.

• High levels of diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.

• Fluency in written and spoken English, and demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate and document, including the writing of quality reports and detailed analysis of strategic information. Fluency in a local language is a distinct advantage.

Qualified local, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global health nonprofit that makes foundational changes to health systems to protect people from diseases and improve their health. MSH collaborates with local partners, from the Ministry to the community, to strengthen and complement existing health systems. Since 1971, MSH has worked in more than 150 countries to help ensure sustainable, resilient, and equitable access to quality health care around the globe.

If you are a candidate in need of assistance, an accommodation, or an alternative method to apply for an open position, please email talentacquisition@msh.org or call +1-703-524-6575 to be connected with Human Resources.