Chief of party | Cotonou, Benin | 2023 At Chemonics

Chemonics seeks a chief of party for the anticipated USAID Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) activity in Benin. The anticipated, five-year, $10 to $25 million activity aims to strengthen and enhance the health system in Benin to deliver quality health services. The activity will strengthen the management of human resources for health, increase data availability and use, increase private sector investments, and strengthen the implementation and scale up of Universal Health Coverage. The chief of party will liaise with USAID on all matters related to project management, spearhead the program’s technical strategy development and implementation, and ensure the program’s operational and technical integrity. The chief of party will be a national or international-level expert in evidence-based policies related to health systems, with verifiable experience managing comparable health programs. This position will be based in Cotonou, Benin. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide overall leadership, management, administrative, and technical direction, and serve as the primary authority for all decision-making to ensure all activities, staff, and partners achieve targeted results and meet reporting requirements
• Serve as Chemonics’ principal liaison and coordinator with USAID/Benin, Beninese government institutions, senior-level national and county-level government officials, other implementing partners, and other key stakeholders including partners, public and private sector organizations, service providers, and beneficiaries to ensure the activity is meeting its objectives
• Ensure that the project uses and promotes the highest standards for health systems strengthening approaches based on scientific evidence, while generating innovations to test
• Use data to track progress, inform decisions, share learning, and adapt project strategies
• Develop and implement annual work plans and budgets that reflect the priorities of USAID, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and other stakeholders
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel, subcontractors, and grantees, with a focus on core results, achievement of work plan and targets, timely implementation, and sound program HR and financial management
• Continuously assess and evaluate activity outcomes, ensuring learning is incorporated into implementation, making course corrections as appropriate, and maintain a high standard of reporting to USAID

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in international development, public health, health financing, or any other field related to health systems strengthening (workforce development, supply chain, information systems)
• Minimum ten (10) years of professional experience in international development, ideally in implementation of USAID-funded or other donor-funded projects, preferably on similar HSS projects
• Minimum five (5) years of experience as chief of party, managing complex activities that involve coordination with multiple project stakeholders across a range of implementation areas relevant to HSS
• Previous experience working in Benin, West Africa region, or other countries implementing health systems strengthening
• Strong understanding of successful approaches to building the resilience of the Beninese health system and to optimizing resources to sustain quality services and equitable health outcomes
• Strong ability to partner with the Government of Benin (GOB) to strengthen the capacity of host-country institutions and local organizations to improve equitable access and utilization of high-quality, evidence-based, and respectful health services
• Experience involving the private sector in health is a plus
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership in designing, managing, implementing, and monitoring and evaluating similar-sized donor-supported projects, with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting; preferable experience in managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple project partner institutions
• Proven ability to build and maintain a strong, diverse, inclusive, cohesive team where all team members are empowered and supported, including stakeholders and partners.
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills to fulfill the project’s diverse technical and managerial requirements and effectively coordinate with a range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical and transparent practices and commitment to staff care
• Familiarity with USAID’s regulations; knowledge of Chemonics’ procedures preferred
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Fluency in English and French required