CHIEF OF PARTY, STRENGTHENING INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES (SIHSA) ACTIVITY at Pact

Pact seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated five-year activity USAID Strengthening Integrated Health Services (SIHSA) Activity. SIHSA’s goal is to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and children less than five years old. SIHSA’s objectives are 1) improve the quality of family planning, maternal newborn child and adolescent health, and malaria services sustainably; 2) promote adoption of crucial health behaviors, and 3) strengthen the stewardship and governance of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, both at central and district levels, so it is better prepared to plan, budget, allocate resources and monitor health programs. The position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

This solicitation is anticipated to be released September 30, 2022, and awarded February 2023. This position is subject to project award and funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for all project management and operations, including financial management, cost control, sub recipient management, performance monitoring, financial reporting, and client relations.
• Responsible for project inputs, program strategy, external representation and coordination with project counterparts, USAID, host country contacts, other donors within the sector and other programs as necessary.
• Responsible for compliance with USAID policies and for achieving the stated objectives of the project
• Interface regularly with USAID on management and decision-making. Ensure that the project activities meet client and stakeholder expectations and that project results are proactively disseminated.
• Develop and implement annual program work and performance milestone plans and negotiates an agreement of those plans with USAID and other partner organizations.
• Lead annual project work planning and reporting and be the principal point of contact with USAID, Ministry of Health and Finance, other implementing partners.
• Ensure the timely and quality completion of all programs technical and financial deliverables and reports in accordance with USAID guidelines.
• Directly supervise senior technical and operational staff members.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
• No less than fifteen (15) years of experience managing and implementing primary health care programs in international settings, preferably in West Africa
• Minimum of ten (10) years of substantial experience in public health with significant USAID program management experience working on and or technical expertise in MNCH, FP, nutrition, WASH, and HSS
• Successful experience as Project Director/COP of large donor-funded technical assistance teams for activities of similar magnitude.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-cultural environment with other implementers and teams carrying out USAID and other donor-funded programs, including activities in different sectors
• Adept in strategic planning, budgeting, adaptive management, and supervision
• Experience in leading similar projects, involving management of multi-million-dollar budgets/portfolios and coordination with multiple programs and partner institutions
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donor, project partners, in-country collaborators and staff at all levels of the organization. Proven ability to convene/chair high profile meetings and productively interact with a wide range of organizations (e.g., government, private sector, NGOs, and research institutions).
• Previous experience working on and technical expertise in MNCH, FP, nutrition, and HSS
• Must have professional fluency in written and spoken and English
• Demonstrated leadership and adaptive management skills.
• Track record of effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical Degree (MD) or master’s in public health (MPH) or degree in another health-related field.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Sierra Leone
• Current relationships with relevant Sierra Leone stakeholders and/or experience working in Sierra Leone
• Sierra Leone nationals are encouraged to apply.