Chief Of Party (Francophone Africa) Strengthening Primary Health Care Activity At Pact

Pact seeks a highly experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Strengthening Primary and Community Health Care Activity in Cote d’Ivoire. This Activity is expected to support an integrated package of health services and health promotion, including (but not limited to) MCH, FP, malaria, and global health security at the facility and community levels in selected districts.

This position is contingent upon award; it is anticipated to be based in Abidjan with frequent travel to regional and/or district offices.

Key Responsibilities

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity as well as the Pact Cote d’Ivoire office. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving project goals and USAID development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in the coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government, local organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and consortium partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. In addition, the COP will serve as Pact’s Country Manager in Cote d’Ivoire and act as the main contact for all organizational matters pertaining to the Pact Cote d’Ivoire office, liaising with the Pact DC office, Africa Regional office, and other country office teams.

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements., and in alignment with national strategies and policies for primary and community health care.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on project technical, management, and performance matters.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes.
• Supervise the Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Director, Senior Finance Manager, Senior MERL Manager, and others as needed.
• Lead coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Promote the use of recognized evidence-based tools and promising innovations in the delivery of integrated health services and strengthening the capacity of facility- and community-based service providers.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with the Pact Africa Regional Director and Finance team, and Pact’s DC team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent with Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets, technical, and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards and award requirements.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with Activity and Pact DC finance leadership to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in primary and community health care.
• Ensure that Pact’s operations in Cote d’Ivoire are compliant with national laws and regulations, and that Pact’s good reputation is maintained.
• Champion and disseminate Pact’s values and strategic priorities to other staff.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree with eleven (11) years’ work experience or bachelor’s degree with at least (13+) years’ work experience. Graduate degree in public health or relevant field strongly preferred.
• At least six (6+) years management experience, preferably as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded health projects, preferably for USAID programs.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with demonstrable experience in primary and community health, health systems, and health policy.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners with conflict sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Fluency in English and French (oral, writing, and reading).
• Experience with national health policy development and implementation.
• Ability to travel within Cote d’Ivoire and occasionally internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Cote d’Ivoire.
• Broad understanding of primary and community health, health systems, and health policy and practice in Cote d’Ivoire.
• Preference for individuals with experience leading integrated maternal, newborn and child health and malaria projects.
• Cote d’Ivoire nationals, especially women, are strongly encouraged to apply.