Chief of Party, Dakar Urban Health

Tracking Code
10160

Job Description
Senegalese nationals are encouraged to apply

Position is contingent upon successful award of project funding
PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.
The Chief of Party (COP) position will support a potential United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Senegal procurement designed to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH), family planning, nutrition, malaria, AIDS, and potentially WASH activities in the most vulnerable urban and peri-urban districts of the Dakar region. The project will strengthen the quality of routine health services, strengthen linkages between facility- and community-based services, leverage private sector resources and services, improve the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to utilize and oversee private providers, and develop interventions and innovations to tackle root causes of health disparities in urban zones.
The COP will have overall responsibility for leadership, stakeholder engagement, management, technical guidance, operational oversight, and reporting of project implementation. S/he will be responsible for making key decisions and solving problems in short timeframes while ensuring operational and project quality and integrity. The COP will serve as the project’s main point of contact with USAID and with the Senegalese MOH on routine and strategic matters. S/he will also ensure effective organizational management and communication with the Government of Senegal, partners, and other stakeholders. This position will be based in Dakar.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Manage and provide overall strategic direction to the project staff and activities and be fully accountable to USAID/Senegal for project performance.
• Represent PATH on this project and build and maintain productive relationships with USAID, implementing partners, national government counterparts, private sector partners, and other stakeholders in Senegal to maximize resources and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to ensure programmatic and financial integrity of the project to rapidly achieve all project goals, objectives, and targets.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure that project activities are technically sound, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of Senegal, its people, and USAID; as well as promoting local ownership and sustainability in the spirit of USAID’s Journey to Self- Reliance.
• Represent PATH and its partners in various fora and present the project’s progress, achievements, and lessons learned to donors and other key stakeholders in meetings and conferences.
• Lead the annual work planning process in close collaboration with USAID, the Ministry of Health, and the project team.
• Ensure that good quality project plans and reports (including the project strategic plan, annual work plans, country plans, quarterly, annual, and final reports) are submitted in a timely manner as prescribed by USAID.
• Ensure the development and implementation of the project monitoring and evaluation system—including project indicators and outputs—to develop and promote appropriate evaluation strategies for field activities and for supporting USAID in its efforts to expand the evidence base for improving health and wellbeing in urban settings.
• Track and monitor project results and activities, identify problems, and initiate timely and effective resolution.
• Supervise and ensure effective implementation of project results, the synthesis of knowledge and lessons learned from project activities, and the strategic dissemination of knowledge.
• Mentor, support, supervise, and manage a team of highly qualified staff and align their efforts to ensure rapid and sustainable results.
• Directly support and supervise core staff (which may include a Deputy Chief of Party, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Senior Technical Advisors, and a Finance/Administrative Officer).
• Lead efforts to recruit talented employees and consultants for the project and facilitate the professional development and retention of key team members.
• Liaise with PATH Senegal office and PATH HQ staff to procure short-term technical assistance (STTA) in a timely manner that is responsive to USAID and MOH needs and priorities.
• Ensure compliance with USAID operational policies, rules, and regulations.

Core competencies/Required Skills:
• Advanced degree in public health, health administration, international health, or a related field; MD or PhD preferred.
• 10+ years' experience successfully managing large, multi-partner, multi-year international health sector development projects with a minimum of 5 years implementing successful activities in RMNCH, nutrition, and/or health systems strengthening. Previous experience serving as Chief of Party or Project Director on a USG project with integrated multiple activities (e.g., RMNCH, behavior change, health systems strengthening, service provider training, gender, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of USAID rules and regulations, compliance, and reporting requirements for cooperative agreements.
• Extensive knowledge of health and development issues in the Senegalese context.
• High-level expertise in one or more of the following technical areas: MNCH; health systems strengthening (health financing, health governance, human resources for health, health information systems, supply chain and health commodity management, and/or health service delivery including private sector engagement).
• Experience implementing projects in informal urban health settlements preferred, including knowledge of unique vulnerabilities that face urban dwellers.
• Experience establishing project systems, overseeing project start-up and close-out, and managing multiple subgrantees, consultants, and STTA support.
• Ability to hire and supervise personnel and ensure they meet evolving project needs.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with U.S. government, host-country counterparts, and representatives of other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector.
• Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational team-building, and representational skills.
• Demonstrated experience in addressing gender issues and integrating gender into health programming.
• Excellent facilitation skills in team building, supervision, and mentoring.
• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.
• Senegalese nationals strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Location
Dakar, Senegal
Company Location
Senegal, Dakar
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular