Health Systems Director

About Helen Keller Intl

Helen Keller International is an International Non-profit Organization whose mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people. It fights against the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on data and research conducted around health system and food system. In Cameroon since 1992, we are mainly involved in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases, malnutrition and eye care.

Helen Keller International Cameroun is seeking a suitable candidate for the position of Health System Director, based in Yaoundé, who will perform the following tasks:

Title of position: Health Systems Director

Supervisor: Country Director

Supervisees: Country Office Senior Program staff (including Senior Program Officers, Senior M&E Officer)

Location of Assignment: The position is based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with intermittent local and international travel as needed.

Duration: One Year with possibility of renewal

Scope of the Position

The Health System Director (HSD) will provide the strategic direction for the health projects. S/he will provide management and oversight of all technical and budgetary aspects of the Health Systems portfolio which currently includes the Neglected Tropical diseases (NTDs) and the Eye Care. The HSD will spend 85% of his Level of Efforts on NTDs, 10% on Eyecare and 5% on business development. S/he will provide strategic leadership and guidance for the development, implementation, and monitoring of projects of the Health System Department. S/he will build, maintain, and reinforce the Country Office partnership with local/international stakeholders (donors, beneficiaries, Government entities (especially Ministry of Health and Ministries in charge of Education) at the central and peripheral levels, partners NGOs, and local civil society organizations.

Description of key responsibilities

Under the supervision of Country Director, the Health System Director will be responsible for the following tasks:

Specifics Responsibilities

Neglected Tropical Diseases projects management (85%)

• Oversee the implementation of the USAIF funded Act to NTDs (ACT-WEST) project and ensure the highest level of implementing quality and accountability, while fostering the Government entities ownership
• Participate in the definition of NTDs program implementation strategies,
• Conduct the development of annual budgeted project action plans,
• Oversee the implementation of activities and overall management of the program in accordance with the objectives and timelines defined in the project documents and Helen Keller IntI strategies and procedures,
• Contribute to the fund raising, including the drafting of concept notes and project proposals,
• Ensure the coordination and integration of project activities implemented within the framework of the fight against NTDs in Cameroon,
• Ensure, with the Country Director, the link with local government partners, partner agencies (NGOs, United Nations.) for issues related to the fight against NTDs, Supervise the preparation and submission of progress and annual reports,
• Contribute to the dissemination of program results through various presentations and publications including publications in scientific journals,
• Assist the Government in the development of strategic documents (NTD Master Plan, program strategic plans…).

Program Management

• Coordinate (at the country level) the project’s work planning process. This includes:
• Working with Helen Keller Global Team to set guidelines and process, developing or updating templates, building capacity of team members and external local partners to ensure good understanding of donors’ requirements;
• Engaging strategic conversations with Government entities and relevant stakeholders to identify health program areas which might need donor support.
• Oversee the Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL) activities.
• Disseminate projects achievements locally and abroad to continuously ensure the visibility of the donors and Helen Keller Intl.
• Coordinate the technical reporting to donors (accuracy of data and submission on time).
• Manage the development process of health agreements to sign with Government entities, especially Fixed Amount Awards (FAA).
• Work closely with the Grants and Procurement Manager to ensure USAID and other donors’ rules and regulations are permanently met throughout the implementation of activities.
• Work with Finance team to develop and submit (on time) accurate and realistic budgets of projects.
• Analyze, review and update projects forecast monthly.
• Work with the Finance team to review the transaction log and ensure accurate expenses allocation (right budget lines and monitoring codes).

EyeCare Project management (10%)

• Oversee the eyecare projects implementation.
• Supervise the eyecare projects officers.
• Ensure timely submission of donor narrative and financial reports.

Business development (5%)

• Support the Country office Resources Mobilization Unit in proposal developments, donors landscaping and management
• Identify and pursue new opportunities to grow the country office health systems portfolios

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualifications and experience required

• Educated to degree level preferably Medical Degree or master’s in public health, Epidemiology, Project Management, social sciences, or equivalent field experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible program management experience preferably as Head of Department, Program Director, or a similar role.
• Experience leading complex international development programs is required; experience working with U.S. government and/or USAID implementing partners is preferred.

Basics and specifics skills

• Experience in programmatic, grants, and budgeting supervision.
• Technical knowledge in the following domains is strongly preferred:
• Priority 1: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs);
• Priority 2: comprehensive eye care
• Priority 3: Malaria
• Priority 4: any other relevant public health domains.
• Experience of working with the Government entities at the Central level is preferred. This includes as a priority the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Secondary Education;
• Experience of training and capacity building staff
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with host-country officials, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Very good knowledge of French and English (verbal and written).

• Have an excellent level of French and English (read, spoken, written)