Chief of Party | Conakry, Guinea | 2024 At Chemonics

Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development organization operating in over 80 countries, starting up the USAID-funded Frontier Health Markets Engage project in Guinea.

1. Program Overview

As USAID’s flagship private sector health project, Frontier Health Markets (FHM) Engage aims to improve the functioning of local health markets and support the effective engagement and inclusion of the private sector to advance voluntary family planning, maternal and child health, malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS outcomes. FHM Engage employs several key approaches, including a market development approach, adaptive learning, and working through regional and local actors to properly contextualize challenges and identify sustainable solutions to improve private sector health markets.

FHM Engage seeks to support USAID Guinea to advance and accelerate improvements in Family Planning (FP), Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Malaria, and Global Health Security (GHS) outcomes by working with local partners for sustainable provision of quality health services, products, and information.

FHM will facilitate and support strategic engagement and partnership with a range of health NGOs, civil society, and private sector organizations to increase access to affordable health products and services, and to improve Guinea’s health system preparedness for any potential disease outbreaks. FHM will provide them with tailored technical assistance, financing, and capacity building expertise.

FHM Engage aims to support USAID/Guinea to achieve the following results in support of FP, MCH, Malaria, and Global Health Security:

Result 1: Improved market environment for greater local NGO, civil society, and private sector participation in the delivery of high-quality FP and other health products, services, and information.

Result 2: Improved equal access to, and uptake of, high-quality consumer-driven FP, Maternal and Child Health, Malaria and other health products, services, and information, including Global Health Security outcomes.

2. Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Based in Conakry, and reporting to the FHM Engage Project Director, the Chief of Party is a senior leadership position responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and performance of the project in Guinea. FHM will implement work through a network of local partners to increase private sector delivery of FP/MCH/malaria products and services. Areas of work will include private sector supply chain, service delivery, product sales and distribution, demand generation, market stewardship, private health systems strengthening, and global health security. The Chief of Party will ensure effective implementation of the FHM Engage strategy and workplan.

Chief of Party responsibilities include:

• Overall management and achievement of project objectives for Guinea. Focus on managing overall strategic alignment, local partnerships, program portfolio performance, risk mitigation and donor compliance.
• Recruit and manage a small efficient team including a Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Manager, Communications Manager, Capacity Strengthening Director, Technical Director, Finance/Operations Director, Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist, Clinical Service Delivery Specialist, Partnerships/Subawards Manager, Sales/Product Manager, Administrative Assistant, Global Health Security Specialist, and an Accountant. Some of these staff may during the course of the project be embedded within local organizations that will receive transition awards. Supervise, coach and support professional development of project technical and administrative staff, ensuring staff are successfully managing project activities and operations. In cases when performance issues arise, take immediate action in accordance with Chemonics policies and procedures to address and resolve the issues. Inform the FHM Engage Project Director of all programmatic developments, staffing issues, and any challenges that may arise during implementation.
• Establish and maintain highly collaborative working relationships with the Government of Guinea, USAID/Guinea, along with relevant in-country stakeholders; serve as the primary point of contact for USAID and as the principal liaison with USAID staff, institutions, and country partners to exchange information and develop professional relationships.
• Support the project’s transition of activities to local partners by fostering and facilitating a learning and communicative environment.Identify and oversee the subaward management to local organizations for technical implementation and organizational capacity strengthening of local organizations to prepare them for transition awards.
• Ensure that activity work plans are developed and completed in a timely fashion and within budget. Ensure that activity reporting is done in a comprehensive and timely manner.
• Proactively use monitoring and evaluation data to adjust programmatic approach and strategies, modify work plans and implementation activities as needed, to ensure the program remains on schedule and meets results.
• Ensure compliance of all activities (ie, financial, minimum standards, program quality assurance, donor regulations) and that all audit recommendations are implemented according to schedule. Proactively perform risk assessments to identify and mitigate risks, including operational, financial, legal, contractual, reputational and safety and ensure mitigation actions are implemented.
• Oversee program budgets, financial and internal controls; ensures timely and accurate financial reporting as required by Chemonics/Washington and donors.
• Identify cost share opportunities and oversee implementation of cost share manual, including tracking and reporting.
• Develop and enforce field office administrative policies. Maintain a working culture that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion. Develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of staff and assets in all aspects of work per best practices, Chemonics operating standards, and field realities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the FHM Engage core teams and activities as well as the other FHM Engage country programs. Act as primary liaison with the Chemonics Washington DC office in technical and managerial matters. Fully engaged as a member of the Chemonics staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other Chemonics events, and providing administrative support to other team members as needed.

1. Expected Start-Date

The expected start date for the position is May 2024.

1. Location of Assignment

The location of assignment is Conakry, Guinea.

1. Supervision and Reporting

The Chief of Party will report to the FHM Engage Project Director.

1. Job Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public health, social work, management, organization development or related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in managing global health or related projects including developing and implementing work plans, controlling budgets, and managing a diverse team of local and international staff. Experience in local organization capacity strengthening.
• Demonstrated leadership experience on a USAID-funded project required, preferably as chief of party/project director or deputy chief of party.
• Proven capacity to act in a high-level representative role and working with different stakeholders, including US and local government officials, and private sector actors.
• Experience managing complex relationships with a variety of stakeholders in a multiple partner consortium, including host governments at different levels; experience mentoring staff and working with international and national consultants and staff.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, integrity, and creativity.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in French and English required.
• Guinean citizens encouraged to apply.

Chemonics International Inc., a U.S.-based international development consulting firm that operates in more than 80 countries, launched the Frontier Health Markets Engage project in Guinea.

1. Program Overview

FHM Engage, a USAID private health sector project, aims to improve the functioning of local health markets and support effective private sector engagement and inclusion to advance health outcomes. voluntary family planning, maternal and child health, prevention of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. FHM Engage uses several key methods, including a market development approach, adaptive learning and collaboration with regional and local stakeholders to properly contextualize challenges and identify sustainable solutions to improve private sector health markets .

FHM Engage seeks to support USAID Guinea to advance and accelerate improvements in the areas of family planning (FP), maternal and child health (MCH), malaria, and global health security (GHS) by working with local partners for the sustainable provision of quality health services, products and information.

FHM will facilitate and support strategic engagement and partnership with a range of health NGOs, civil society and private sector organizations to increase access to affordable health products and services, and improve preparation of Guinea’s health system for any potential epidemic. The FHM will provide them with tailored technical assistance, financing and capacity building expertise.

FHM Engage aims to help USAID/Guinea achieve the following results in FP, MCH, malaria and global health security:

Outcome 1: Improved market environment for greater participation of local NGOs, civil society and the private sector in the delivery of high quality FP and other products, services and information health products, services and information.

Outcome 2: Improved equal access to quality consumer-oriented products, services and information on FP, maternal and child health, malaria and other products, services and information in the area of health, including with respect to global health security outcomes, and improving the uptake of these products, services and information.

2.Main duties and responsibilities

Based in Conakry, and under the direction of the FHM Engage Project Director, the Chief of Party is a senior management position responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management and performance of the project in Guinea. FHM will implement work through a network of local partners to increase private sector provision of FP/MCH/malaria products and services. Areas of work will include private sector supply chain, service delivery, product sales and distribution, demand generation, market management, strengthening private health systems and global health security . The party leader will ensure the effective implementation of the FHM Engage strategy and work plan.

The responsibilities of the party leader are as follows:

• Overall management and achievement of project objectives for Guinea. The focus is on managing overall strategic alignment, local partnerships, program portfolio performance, risk mitigation and compliance with donor rules.
• Recruit and manage a small, effective team including a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager, a Communications Manager, a Capacity Building Director, a Technical Director, a Director of Finance/Operations, Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Specialist, Clinical Service Delivery Specialist, Partnerships/Outsourcing Manager, Sales/Product Manager, Administrative Assistant, Marketing Specialist global health security and an accountant. Some of these staff members may, during the project, be integrated into local organizations which will receive transition grants. Supervise, mentor and support the professional development of project technical and administrative staff, ensuring that staff successfully manage project activities and operations. If performance issues arise, take immediate action in accordance with Chemonics policies and procedures to address and resolve issues. Inform the FHM Engage Project Director of all programmatic developments, personnel issues, and any challenges that may arise during the project.
• Establish and maintain highly collaborative working relationships with the Government of Guinea, USAID/Guinea, as well as relevant in-country stakeholders; serve as the primary point of contact for USAID and primary liaison with USAID staff, institutions and national partners to exchange information and develop professional relationships.
• Support the transition of project activities to local partners by fostering and facilitating a learning and communication environment. Identify and oversee the management of grants to local organizations for technical implementation and organizational capacity building of local organizations to prepare them for transition grants.
• Ensure that activity work plans are developed and completed on time and within budget. Ensure that activity reports are prepared comprehensively and in a timely manner.
• Proactively use monitoring and evaluation data to adjust programmatic approach and strategies, modify work plans and implementation activities as necessary, to ensure the program remains on schedule and achieves the desired results.
• Ensure compliance of all activities (i.e. financial, minimum standards, program quality assurance, donor regulations) and that all audit recommendations are implemented according to planned schedule. Proactively conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate risks, including operational, financial, legal, contractual, reputational and security risks, and ensure mitigation measures are implemented.
• Oversee program budgets, financial and internal controls; ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with Chemonics/Washington and donor requirements.
• Identify cost sharing opportunities and oversee the implementation of the cost sharing manual, including monitoring and reporting.
• Develop and implement field office administrative policies. Maintain a work culture that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. Develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety of personnel and property in all aspects of work, consistent with best practices, Chemonics operating standards and field realities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with FHM Engage core teams and activities as well as other national FHM Engage programs. Liaise with Chemonics Washington DC office on technical and managerial matters. Fully engage as a member of the Chemonics team, including participating in staff meetings and other Chemonics-hosted events, and providing administrative support to other team members as appropriate.

1. Expected start date

The start date for the position is planned for May 2024.

1. Duty station

The duty station is Conakry, Guinea.

1. Monitoring and reporting

The group leader will report to the FHM Engage Project Director.

1. Professional qualifications

• Advanced degree in public health, social work, management, organizational development or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience managing global health or related projects, including developing and implementing work plans, controlling budgets, and managing a diverse team of staff local and international. Experience in capacity building of local organizations.
• Proven experience leading a USAID-funded project, preferably as Party Leader/Project Director or Deputy Group Leader.
• Proven ability to serve in a high-level representative role and work with diverse stakeholders, including U.S. and local government officials, and private sector actors.
• Experience managing complex relationships with diverse stakeholders within a multi-partner consortium, including host governments at different levels; experience managing staff and working with international and national consultants and staff.
• Have demonstrated leadership, adaptability, integrity and creativity.
• Excellent administrative, organizational and written and oral communication skills.
• Fluency in French and English is required.
• Guinean citizens are encouraged to apply.