USAID‘Nepal invites applications for employment from all interested and qualified candidates for the position of Project Management Specialist (Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH] Team Lead) in the Health Office under a Foreign Service National (FSN) Personal Services Contract (PSC) subject to availability of funds.
OPEN TO: All interested and qualified candidates
POSITION: Project Management Specialist (Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Team Lead) FSNPSC -12
OPENING DATE: May 19, 2021
CLOSING DATE: June 02, 2021 - 5:00 P.M. Kathmandu time
WORK HOURS: Full-time: 40 hours a week
NOTE: All ordinarily resident applicants must have the required work and/or residency permits to be eligible for consideration.
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION:
USAID's support in the health sector reflects one of the longest standing and most successful development assistance programs in Nepal. USAID /Nepal’s Health Office (HO) manages $70 million in annual programming in maternal and child health: nutrition; water, sanitation, hygiene, and water resources management; HIV/AIDS: disability‘ rehabilitation: infectious disease: and family planning/reproductive health.
In addition, USAID/Nepal invests in cross-cutting areas of systems strengthening support, including strengthening the decentralized health system through improved health governance, financing, and data for decision-making: improving human resources for health capacity; and strengthening supply chain and pharmaceutical management systems to support sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and related pharmaceutical equipment.
The HO also coordinates closely with other Mission offices on health facility construction, air quality improvement, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, health messaging through schools and other learning platforms, and water security, The HO has 19 staff organized into two technical teams: 1) Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, 2) Family Planning, HIV/AIDS, and Social Marketing.
The Project Management Specialist (MNCH Team Lead) facilitates communication and ensures collaborative working relationships with high-level decision-makers, as well as technical staff, in the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHIP), USAID: Washington counterparts, with other government entities, and with other development partners, donors and non-governmental organizations working in the health sector.
The MNCH Team Lead delivers analytical and technical assistance services to other bilateral /multilateral agencies, the Government of Nepal, and civil society in developing and implementing policies and programs based on best practices and innovations in MNCH.
Representing the U.S. Government, the jobholder leads national technical working groups and builds alliances with other external development partners, and provides essential communication and liaison within USAID offices and with other United States Government (USG) agencies.
The jobholder serves as the team’s senior advisor on maternal, newborn, and child health issues and provides leadership in identifying opportunities for USG engagement in MNCH programming in Nepal.
The jobholder will have broad experience working with national stakeholders including government, professional associations, and civil society organizations, This senior position ensures that the Mission has the necessary strategic, technical, and management expertise to handle and successfully implement MNCH programs and activities in the Health Office portfolio.
The jobholder serves as the in-house subject matter expert on MNCHI and the Mission’s senior representative in policy, strategic and technical engagements with the interagency, Government of Nepal, international and bilateral organizations, and donor agencies to address technical issues and coordinate efforts in the implementation of MNCHI activities.
The jobholder has an understanding of global health issues, as well as the entire USAID/USG health portfolio, and serves as an Agreement Officer's Representative /Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR) or Activity Manager for selected programs/projects/activities.
As an AOR-COR, the jobholder monitors program performance and progress, identifies implementation achievements as well as problems in performance, and initiates appropriate actions in consultation with other Health Office staff, and /or the Deputy and Office Director, as appropriate.
The MNCH Team Lead is a key member of the Health Office. The jobholder reports to the Health Office Director or her/his designee, and has supervisory responsibility for up to five team members, including AORs/CORs, and provides mentoring and coaching to the entire Office in the area of maternal, newborn, and child health.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
a) Education: Master's degree or local equivalent from an accredited program in Public Health, International Development, Health, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology, Biology, Infectious Disease, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, or Nutrition.
b) Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in MNCH. Prior experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as the World Bank, the Global Fund, UN agencies, or national-level public or private sector projects and ensuring compliance with the U.S, Government rules and regulations is required.
Post Entry Training: On-the-job training will be provided relating to USG-specific procedures, regulations, and methods. Formal AOR‘AOR training is required for successful performance in the position and will be provided. Appropriate training courses will be offered, subject to course offerings and the availability of funds.
d) Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) in English and Nepali Language is required.
e) Knowledge: Expert-level knowledge and understanding of MNCH approaches and interventions. Demonstrated senior-level knowledge of the overall health sector context as well as the key aspects of USG foreign assistance to the country. Working knowledge of USG and USAID's strategic direction, its chief accomplishments, and its challenges.
f) Skills and Abilities: The jobholder must possess strong technical and analytical skills in MNCH. The jobholder must possess strong skills in communication, advocacy, and networking. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans and results. This position requires an outstanding ability to exercise flexibility to be able to accept and react to evolving planning and implementation contexts, The job holder must demonstrate excellent computer skills including skills with Microsoft Office, web-based databases, and electronic filing. S/he exercises individual judgment in his/her roles.
S/he takes initiative and offers leadership in reviewing the progress of programs and projects under his/her personal and team’s responsibility, including performance reports, pipeline management, program implementation reviews, as well as fulfilling other USAID and USG reporting requirements. S/he demonstrates timely decision-making ability and extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, using diplomacy and tact.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume - not to exceed 3 pages - and any other documentation that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed in the full job description. Please provide the names of three references and their contact numbers and email addresses as well. Please send your application to the attention of USAID/Nepal Human Resources Office, U.S. Embassy Maharajgunj, G.P.O. Box. 295, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Applications may be sent electronically to: USAIDNepalHR@usaid.gov
A detailed job description for the position can be obtained by visiting USAID/Nepal's website click here or by requesting USAID/Nepal's Human Resources Office (USAIDNepalHR@usaid.gov).
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted to participate in the hiring process.
USAID/Nepal is an equal opportunity employer committed to a staff composition that reflects the social and ethnic diversity of Nepali society. We believe that social inclusion and diversity contribute to excellence. Applicants from disadvantaged castes, under-represented ethnic groups, and women are especially encouraged to apply.
USAID plays a critical role in our nation’s effort to stabilize countries and build responsive local governance; we work on the same problems as our military using a different set of tools. We also ease the transition between conflict and long-term development by investing in agriculture, health systems and democratic institutions. And while USAID can work in active conflict, or help countries transition from violence, the most important thing we can do is prevent conflict in the first place. This is smarter, safer and less costly than sending in soldiers.